01/09/2013 to 01/10/2013
This is a part of Arizona we have not visited. Driven past, but not stopped and enjoyed. Well obviously that needed to be remedied so we took a couple of days before the "big freeze" to drive down and see some sights.
Our itinerary included a stop at the Patagonia-Sonita Nature Conservancy Preserve but the weather was so bad, and our birding skills so poor, we do not have any shots from there. Maybe in the spring. However the rest of the trip worked out quite well.
- Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
- Tubac Presidio Historic Park
- Tumacacori National Historic Park
- Kentucky Camp Ghost Town - more or less
This observatory is the part of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and runs experiments requiring very dark, clear skies. Perfect for Arizona.
At the Visitors Center you can browse through information about the research done at the various facilities on the mountain. and see one of the 4 Gamma-ray telescopes, or VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System).
Up on the mountain there are facilities for numerous other projects like HAT (Hungarian-made Automated Telescope) to detect and characterize extrasolar planets and find and follow bright variable stars..
MMT for solar system, galactic and extragalactic astronomy..
PAIRITEL for infrared observations..
These and others are only accessible on a tour, so we think we will reserve a seat on the bus this Spring and have a closer look.
This is the Visitor Center for the Observatory
Looking up at one of the mountain top observatory structures.
The Gamma-ray Telescope down by the Visitor Center
This is a one-way, single lane road that leads to the observatories on top of the mountain.
Yes, there is a building up there
Tubac is a very nice little town with a vibrant art community but we came to view the Presidio. The nice shops will have to be explored more thoroughly on a future trip.
Tubac is a place of great distinctions. It is the oldest Spanish Presidio founded in Arizona in 1752. It has the remains of the first European settlement in what would become Arizona. It had the first printing press in Arizona. And it is Arizonas first Historic Park.
So, with all this history what does Arizona do but drop support for this amazing place. If it were not for generous and dedicated volunteers and patrons a huge part of history would be lost. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
My "John Read Moment" sipping cappuccino at a great coffee shop and bakery in Tubac
This very large roadrunner statue was just one of many around the town
On to the Presidio
The well preserved school house
Plaque commemorating the history of Tubac
Part of the grounds
This is part of the dig done on site. It is behind glass and is well below the present day
An arrastra - a mule, donkey or some other animal was used to turn the grinding mechanism.
There are several well preserved grinding stones on display
Grinding stone as yard art. What would the ancients think
The porch in front of the museum has been re-constructed using common building materials of of the day.
A wooden plank cutting frame
Inside the museum is the printing press from 1859 era.
We were told one of the volunteers frequently gives demonstrations on the press.
One of the old adobe remains that has been preserved
Not much left inside but you can see the thick walls and sturdy construction
The preservation method is historical and you can see the straw in the mud mix.
In 1691 Father Kino established Mission Tumacacori. The Jesuits administered this, and more than 20 other missions, until they were expelled in 1767 and the Franciscans managed them until 1821 when Mexico earned independence from Spain.
In 1908 President Teddy Roosevelt established the Tumacacori National Monument. In 1990 Congress expanded this to include the missions of Calabrazas and Guevavi (neither is open to the public) and declared them a National Historic Park.
Various attempts have been made to stabilize the remaining structures and still maintain their original appearance.
The Visitors Center
First glimpse of San Jose de Tumacacori Mission church
Some of the ornate features have been restored using old photos as a guide
The backside of the mission
Bell tower
Inside the church.
Looking out from the alter area you can see the section that once held the choir loft above
The Sanctuary area
This was quite brightly colored originally
Some of the original artwork and color is still visible
The beams in the ceiling are quite impressive
Looking at the mission and buildings on the grounds
Outside of the granary
Inside the Convento, or priests quarters
More rooms
This is the outline of what once was the Jesuit Church
Inside the granary
The holes and log beam would have held up a second floor
Aztec Altar came to mind with the steps. Luckily these only went to the other food stuffs
The Cemetery
Looking into the Cemetery Gate at the Mortuary Chapel
The Convento
This is billed as a ghost town but it is not. The area saw placer gold mining until 1886 when the effort was more trouble than success. In 1904 a mining engineer named James Stetson introduced hydraulic mining to the camp and it was active until 1912.
Since then it has been a cattle ranch, used for films and was finally acquired by the Forest Service in 1989.
Some of the buildings have been restored and can now be rented out for retreats,overnight stays or other functions. The Hotel and a Bed & Breakfast are both open for business.
Getting out here is a bit tricky
That is the hotel in the background and what is left of an old building
Propped up from all sides. We were afraid to sneeze
This interior is almost dangerous. Most of the floor is falling through
This house is in much better shape and has some old appliances
Hydraulic Water Canon
Nothing rots away in the desert