good-times-rollin: Tumacacori, Arizona

Corona de Tucson

December 12, 2025

The Santa Cruz River

Officially, Tumacacori is a quaint little unincorporated community about the size of 2 square miles located some 20 miles north of the Mexican border. Tumacacori

(too-ma-kuh-kaw-ree) is best known for the Tumacacori National Historical Park which preserves the ruins of three Spanish mission communities built in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Last spring, Joe and I enjoyed a morning exploring the Historical Park...a beautifully preserved, culturally rich, and architecturally significant mission established in 1691.

A photo from last spring...the entrance to the mission.

Last weeks visit to Tumacacori was to continue exploring where we left off from our last visit. The Tumacacori Mesquite Sawmill was featured in the March 2023 Arizona Highways Magazine and was added to our "let's go there" list. It is Arizona's oldest mesquite source.

Tumacacori Mesquite Sawmill is owned and operated by Art and Valerie since they purchased the sawmill in 1982. Neither Art nor Valerie knew anything about milling or the wood the original owner was focusing on which was mesquite, but at least it was plentiful they thought. They were and still are fascinated by the wood and love sharing their story and giving personal tours of the sawmill.

Velvet Mesquite, of all the Sonoran Desert's native trees, is the most useful. Every part of the tree can be and has been used for centuries.

Since ownership of the sawmill, Art and Valerie have taken broad efforts to legally harvest and acquire mesquite biomass (material from the tree that includes limbs, stumps, roots, etc) and bring these unique treasures to valued customers. Not much of the trees are wasted at the sawmill either. Logs are used for tables, chairs, and one of a kind interiors. Scraps, or remnants as Art and Valerie call them, are used for smaller craft items like cutting boards and crosses. And even the sawdust is utilized by a local organic farm.

From logs...

to planks which are sorted and numbered by size.

The workshop...

An asphalt based tree wound dressing

The two planks in the middle match...cut from the same tree. Also the two outside planks match.

The legs for a table...
Valerie explained how Ironwood Trees, which are very strong and a native to the Sonoran Desert, are cut to make pegs to join the legs.

Joe looks at a piece of Ironwood that is ready to be used.

Valerie explained that the rings on a Mesquite tree do not tell an accurate age of the tree. If the monsoon season is really good, the tree can make more than one ring and if the tree survives long drought seasons, they will not make a ring. Typically, desert species of the Mesquite tree can can exceed 100 or even 200 years.

The Gallery and Gift Shop was beautifully decorated in Christmas color. Such a fun shop to peruse with lots of unique things to see and purchase.

Southwest crosses with curved lines are called "Rain Crosses". They date back to early missions and indigenous motifs.

The beautiful gift shop was built from pine trees in the nearby mountains.

We sure enjoyed meeting Art and Valerie and touring the sawmill. Their creative talent is very impressive and so beautiful. In the article it states, this is not just a sawmill, but a destination...a full experience from a desert treasure to a finished heirloom. And perhaps when we are out and about in Tucson, we will likely see the work of these skilled artisans. Works have been commissioned by many hotels, restaurants, museums and homes in our area. They also help with wood restorations in historic sites like San Xavier Del Bar Mission.

Lucy went with us for our adventure to Tumacacori so we decided a walk along the Santa Cruz River. The Santa Cruz River is an international river that loops south into Mexico before it flows north through Tucson to join the Gila River. It is famous as a historic lifeline in an arid desert region. It has supported ancient cultures becoming the foundation for Tucson and now is known for its revitilaztion efforts that are bringing back wildlife and creating a green space.

We had seen the tops of the gorgeous yellow cottonwoods as we made the drive to the sawmill.

Thanks to Valerie and her directions, we headed a few miles south from the sawmill and parked at Santa Gertrudis Lane. There is plenty of parking and a nice wide dirt road goes straight to the river.

The lane was once the only crossing of the Santa Cruz River. Today, there is no bridge as it was deemed unsafe for traffic years ago.

The lack of traffic has created a peaceful sanctuary for birds and wildlife who live there year round and for those migrating south.

We made a right turn at the river for our walk. The section of trail we walked is on Day Ranch...private property the owners have graciously allowed the public to use.

The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail is a National Historic Trail that covers about 1200 miles through the homelands of 70 + Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.

We saw lots of butterflies and heard lots of birds. I didn't have the big lens camera for capturing the birds, but hope to return to do some birding.

Another must stop located on this stretch of Frontage Road south of Tubac is Santa Cruz Chili and Spice Co. which has also been featured in Arizona Highways Magazine. There is no real magic when it comes to making spices, Jeanie Neubauer (her father started the business in 1943) says of her family business. But there's definitely something impressive about a company that's been doing so for over 80 years.

The company is best know for its chili powder and chili paste which can be found in some grocery stores across Arizona. It is also shipped to Mexican restaurants around the country.

Although Jeanie's father sun-dried chilis back in the day, there are more efficient processes today that still maintain the flavor.

The company has grown thru the years and today offers soup starters, salsas, hot sauces, recipes, etc. All the seasonings are freshly packaged on site in small packages. A focus on pure high quality ingredients with no fillers is part of their success. I have thrown away countless jars of outdated spices thru the years so this makes a lot os sense to me.

And finally our last stop for the day...we were hungry and once again Valerie's recommendation was a huge hit. Not just for Joe and I, but for Lucy too. Lunch at Wisdom's Cafe hit the spot! Wisdom's was established in 1944 when Howard and Petra Wisdom opened the doors. Petra's father who owned property in Tumacacori gifted each of his children parcels of land where the cafe sits today. Back in the day, it severed breakfast and housed a rowdy bar. Being a natural born cowboy, Howard built a roping arena where rodeo champions came from around the U.S. and Mexico to show off their skills. Sadly, the official opening of Interstate 19 in 1979 forced many wonderful businesses to close...even Wisdom's Cafe.

But thanks to the Wisdom's son, Herb, and his wife and Herb's sisters and brother and aunts, uncles, and cousins it once again came to life in 1980. Recipes that are generations old are still prepared in the kitchen today.

It's one of the best Mexican restaurants we have enjoyed over the years and the Margaritas are the best ever!

This was Lucy's first lunch outing. The patio was perfect and I am proud to say she was an absolute pleasure to have lunch with. Our server Juan gave her water and a treat. She sat and watched the other folks and even laid down beside the table.

Artwork at the entrance...

The patio was full of beautiful pots and colorful flowers.

The best margarita...

Yummy burritos...I chose the green sauce and both were delicious.

I did take a peek inside...what a delightful charming and cozy cafe.

I read the murals were painted by Herb's uncle. There are several of them along the back wall.

The huge fire pit in the middle of the room adds character and warmth.

And this huge and gorgeous "L" shaped bar was built to specifications at the Sawmill.

Back at the oasis, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Our tree is artificial, but I have pine boughs and scraps from the trees at Home Depot in pots all over the house.