Presidio of Tucson

Presidio of Tucson (1776-1856) - A Spanish presidio established in 1776 by Franciscan friar Francisco Tomas Garces in present day Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Became a Mexican presidio after the Mexican War of Independence in 1822 and an American post after the Gadsden Purchase in 1856. Abandoned in 1856 and destroyed in the 1860s. Also known as Presidio San Augustin del Tucson.

Spanish Period (1776-1822)

A Spanish presidio established in 1776 by Franciscan friar Francisco Tomas Garces with troops from the Presidio of Tubac. The original stockaded post evolved into a 750' square adobe fortification. The Presidio encompassed an area enclosed by present day Washington, Church, Pennington and Main streets.

Mexican Period (1822-1856)

Control of the Presidio passed from the Spanish troops to Mexican troops at the end of the Mexican War of Independence in 1822. Mexican troops garrisoned the post until 1856 when the Gadsden Purchase was implemented and all of present day southern Arizona became part of the U.S. The American Mormon Battalion briefly occupied the Presidio on their way to San Diego in 1846 during the Mexican War.

American Period (1856-present)

After the implementation of the Gadsden purchase in 1856, U.S. Dragroons briefly occupied the Presidio. The Presidio was demolished in the 1860s.

Current Status

In downtown Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. A recreation of the northeast corner of the original 1775 Spanish presidio is at Washington and Church streets and open for self guided tours.

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Location: Washington and Church Streets, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Maps & Images Lat: 32.224579 Long: -110.973354 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: hhhhh'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 46
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2,page 16

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Presidio of Tucson
• City of Tucson - Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
• Founding of the Presidio of Tucson

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Presidio of Tucson Picture Gallery

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