Tubac, AZ

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 5, 2016

Last Friday, we headed south about 40 miles with Lynn and Dave to enjoy a little history, art and lunch.  Our destination was Tubac, AZ which is the first European settlement in Arizona.  It has one of three presidios in Arizona...the only site where the story of New Spains's presidios can be adequately told (tubacpp.com). 

Arizona's second oldest school house

Our first stop was the visitor center at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.  There we watched a quick informative video about the history of the area

followed by a self-guided walking tour.



The park maintains the second oldest school in Arizona (listed in The National Register of Historic Places) and was the first Arizona school supported by public funds.  The first teacher was hired in 1878 and earned $30.00 a year.

The presidio was built in 1752.  An under ground archaeological exhibit showcases the original adobe foundation, walls and floor of the officer's quarters.

The museum offers a timeline of human settlement in the Santa Cruz River Valley dating back to the Pima Indian settlement in the 1500s.

 The Spanish mined this area for copper, gold and silver.  Th pictured arraster is a primitive system for crushing ore.   

I also had the opportunity to grind cocao beans (native to Mexico) on a metate (a heated, slanted grinding stone) to make chocolate which I enjoyed on almonds the museum furnished.  It is important to note that all state funding has been cut off for the Tubac Persidio Historic state park and all workers are volunteers.

Our next stop was Tubac Jacks Restaurant and Saloon for a yummy lunch.  I had a Vegetarian Calabacitas (a Mexican specialty which combines sauteed yellow squash, onion, green chili, corn, and cheese) flatbread pizza with mushroom, black olive, artichoke heart and shaved parmesan...a wonderful combination of flavors! And I ate every bite!


Tubac advertises that it is internationally known as Arizona's only true artist colony.  There are many galleries and studios featuring sculptors, painters, potters, and jewelers.





It is very touristy...
but I did fancy all the color.

And I especially took a liking to the natives...

...who graciously led us to all the local favorites.

Until next time, happy days and happy trails!