Vol. 16 No. 1
196 N. Court Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-837-8119
In This Issue:
Family Histories:
The Genealogy
Project
Actividades de los
Soldados
Recent Activities
Children’s Corner
New in the Gift
Shop
Terrenate Trip
www.TucsonPresidio.org Winter 2016
Presidio Family History
by Homer Thiel and Monica Smith
In March 1856 the Mexican military packed
I combed through the surviving records
up Tucson’s civil, military, and church
located in Arizona, Mexico, and California.
records, taking these documents south to
I found previously unknown documents
the town of Imuris, in Sonora, Mexico. One
in Spain. I then compiled information on
of the soldiers later claimed that some of
several thousand people who lived in the
the records were torn up to make cigarette
Tucson Presidio between 1776 and 1856.
rolling papers. Whether this is true remains
My research ended with the individuals
unknown. Some records were found in a
born up to 1856. Recently, Rachel Pollack
closet of a church in Imuris by Louis Pinart
and Monica Smith have begun a project to
in 1879 and
enter the information
now reside at
into a database and
the Huntington
extend the family
Library in
histories forward
Berkeley,
to the 20th century.
California. The
They are combing
church records
through United
for Tucson
States census records,
Presidio and
Catholic Church
the San Agustin
documents, and other
Mission have
sources to link people
never been found,
to their Presidial
and this made
ancestors. Interested
researching
in volunteering for the
family history
project? Please contact
difficult for the
the Presidio Genealogy
thousands of
Project by calling the
people descended
Museum at 520-837from the people
8119.
who lived at
The Soza/Sosa
the Presidio
Luisa Campa Soza posed for this picture with
San Agustín del
Family
her grandchildren Victoria and Calistro. She is an
ancestor to Presidio Trust member Hector Soza.
Tucson in the
Luisa Campa Soza
Photo
courtesy
Hector
and
Mickie
Soza.
These
Spanish and
(1825-1900) was the
children are two generations above Hector.
Mexican periods.
daughter of Tiburcio
Photo taken circa 1905.
Campa and Ramona
I (Homer)
Ortega. Her grandfather, Brevet Ensign
became interested in researching Presidio
Juan Manuel Ortega and great grandfather,
families in 1999, as a result of the
Cristobal Ortega were both soldados at
archaeological excavations I conducted at
Tubac and Tucson Presidios starting from
the Leon farmstead. Over the next few years
Our Visitors
Thousands of people visit the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson every year. A look
through the current guest book, which starts in March 2015, reveals that besides
local southern Arizona residents, people come from throughout the United States.
We receive a large number of Canadian and Mexican visitors during the winter.
Where else do they come from? From Europe: Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, England, Belgium, France, Sweden, Spain, and Italy. From Central America:
Costa Rica. From Africa: Nigeria. From Asia: Japan. And from Australia and New
Zealand. We have become an international destination.
Many visitors leave comments. Recent ones include, “Fantastic History!,” “Great
tour,” History reflects like a mirror,” “Great experience,” and “Grand heritage for
all of us.” Our hard-working docents are often complimented on their ability to
help interpret the history of Tucson. We could always use more docents to guide
visitors through our facility, if interested please contact the museum or see the
information on page 7.
The Presidio is in
its high season
and is busier than
ever. The Friday-atthe-Fort program
continues to welcome
schoolchildren with
record numbers; 929
schoolchildren will
have visited by the
end of this season. Thank
you to our dedicated band of Friday volunteers!
El Presidio Real is a
publication of the Tucson
Presidio Trust for Historic
Preservation.
Editors:
Homer Thiel
Amy Hartmann-Gordon
Design:
Debra Bowles
Printing:
Quikprint on Pennington
El Presidio Real
As Homer said above, visitation also continues
to be strong particularly in the area of tours and
groups. Our docents are in high demand as
more groups visit and our visibility increases on
the internet and around Tucson.
On the administrative side, the past few months
have been a “data gathering” period. With
this first season of fully managing the property
(utility expenses and all) we are getting a clear
idea of exactly what is needed to run the facility.
Additionally, with an updated admissions
system that records more detailed data we are
2
better able to project forward for next year’s
visitation needs. Although these activities are
less fun than getting out there and entertaining
our guests, it is important to our infrastructure
and our future planning.
One final note, we are most grateful to
the Southwestern Foundation for Historic
Preservation, Tucson-Pima Historical
Commission and Bettina Lyons for the recent
gifts to support our programming. Thank you,
your commitment is invaluable!
Amy Hartmann-Gordon
Executive Director
Tucson Presidio Trust
Continued from page 1
1756 with Anza.
Luisa married into the well-known Presidio
family that descended from Don Jose
Maria Soza and Doña Rita Espinoza. She
was married first to Manuel Sosa and after
he was killed by Apache, she married his
brother Calistro Sosa. After Calistro’s death
she was married to Jesus Maria Mungia.
Luisa was the ancestor to two current
Presidio Trust members: Hector Soza
and Monica Smith, and has many other
descendants. Hector Soza descends from her
eldest son, Antonio Soza, and Monica Smith
is descended from her youngest son, Tomas
Munguia.
Lt. Col. Jose Maria Martinez
This is an update regarding the DNA
analysis of remains believed to be those of
Lt. Col. Jose Maria Martinez, the Tucson
Presidio Commander for the interim period
from 1836 to 1838 and also commander of
the second section of the Mexican military
northern line. Lt. Col. Jose Maria Martinez,
the ancestor of Los Descendientes’ founder
and first President, Mr. Arnold Smith,
was possibly interred in the old Tucson
National Cemetery in 1866. He was born
in 1806/1811 in Tubac and married Felipa
Yrigoyen in 1833. He had ten children with
her, and after becoming a widower, had
another five children with Jesusa Quintero.
the foot of Black Mountain in 1863. He had
been shot twice, suffering flesh wounds and
again by an arrow through the left shoulder.
Although he was rescued, he developed
infections and died of his wounds a few
years later.
This set of remains were given to our Los
Descendientes organization for analysis of
its origins to be followed by appropriate
re-burial. Ryan Sprissler, a researcher with
the University of Arizona Genetics Core has
been unable to get any of the forensic assays
to work with the sample. A current Martinez
descendant, provided a YDNA sample, but
unfortunately, the DNA extracted from the
2 molars of the remains were too degraded
to use standard forensic techniques. A whole
genome sequencing would be extremely
expensive ($8-$10k). He will continue to
seek cheaper alternatives and report back
to us.
Although this project which we undertook
several years ago has not resulted in a
conclusive finding, we are not willing to give
up easily, due to the important historical
significance, not only for our Hispanic
population, but for all of Tucson’s citizens.
In 2006, Pima County contracted Statistical
Research, Inc. (SRI) to excavate the historic
cemetery in preparation for the construction
of the City-County Joint Courts Complex.
About 1,200 graves were to be re-located
elsewhere, including Military, Native
American, and civilians, including the
majority Hispanic population. The condition
of the graves made it difficult to determine
race or ethnicity. One individual had
distinctive wounds from projectile points
found embedded in the body. One such
grave had distinctive evidential wounds
from projectile points found embedded in,
or closely associated, within the grave plus
bullet wounds. The injuries sustained were
consistent with those suffered by Jose Maria,
who’d been attacked by Apache warriors at
John M. Berger (1839-1911)
and his wife Maria Policarpia
Martinez (1846-1939). Maria
was the daughter of Jose
Maria Martinez and Felipa
Yrigoyen. Presidio Trust
member Arnold Smith is a
descendant of this family.
Photo courtesy Arnold Smith.
3
Volume 16:1 • Winter 2016
March Along the Santa Cruz
riders had been killed in one
incident near the present
border, and another 21
soldiers fell in battle while
pursuing Apaches. It was
a dangerous time and our
modern marchers might
relate to their 18th century
counterparts better with
that awareness.
By Rick Collins
The Presidio Garrison is a highlight of the Presidio living history
program. The volunteers depicting the soldiers, work as a unit
and depend on each other for the “show.” The public too, enjoys
seeing the soldiers act as a unit, marching about and firing volleys.
More than any other part of the interpretational experience, the
Garrison must “perform” as a group.
One reason the soldiers volunteer is for the learning experience.
They enjoy learning how the soldiers move in the field. How did
their clothing fit? How were the equipments carried? How did
they carry a long, heavy musket over endless miles?
To figure this out and improve the living history impressionwhich gives a better interpretive experience to the public-the
Garrison has to occasionally go out and get dirty. Fortunately
the scenarios are endless. Small patrols of Spanish Colonial
soldiers tramped to and fro across the Arizona frontier during the
Presidio’s lifetime. (Rarely were the Spanish forces able to move in
numbers and were therefore vulnerable to Apache attack and even
suffered getting lost on poorly marked trails).
The group began early. Based on the
weather the two weeks previous everyone expected thigh deep
water and freezing temperatures. Instead the morning was sunny
and tolerably cool. Almost right away shoes and leggings got wet
crossing the Rio Santa Cruz. The group moved along staying in
character, dealing with sand in the shoes, wet clothing and the
cumbersome equipment crisscrossed across their bodies. To ensure
the participants stay in the period as much as possible the dreaded
biscuit of shame is worn around the neck of the person who uses a
modern word or discusses a post 18th century idea or object.
About a year ago the Garrison marched across the Empire ranch,
moving through tall grasses. There it was discovered the yellow
chupas or fatigue jackets blended in well among the grassy hills of
the ranch. The troops learned how hard it was to work in the rolling
country and they had a miserable night, first dealing with cold wind
and then with cold moist air settling atop their single blanket.
The trek was wonderful, complete with a soldier stepping into
quick mud and sinking to his knees and falling forward. It is
worth noting he kept his musket held high and dry! The squad
stopped along the way, created a fire with flint and steel and
heated hot chocolate in a reproduction of an original copper
chocolatera.
This year the troops decided to march the Anza Trail from
Tumacacorí Mission to the Tubac Presidio. The scenario, set in
January 1779, was to escort a woman from the Mission back to
her family at the now settlement in the old Presidio of Tubac.
The soldiers also escorted a courier carrying dispatches meant for
Tucson. The soldiers were reminded that they were to imagine they
had marched from Santa Cruz de Terrenate, the Presidio the real
Catalonian Volunteers had been posted to in the Spring of 1778.
The group ran into pockets of 300 boy scouts, out for a hike,
passing southward. The young folks were baffled and surprised
when the 18th century suddenly broke through the brush and
greeted them in Spanish.
The hike ended at the Presidio of Tubac and the group was
greeted by a small crowd of “citizens” and the “alcalde” who took
the dispatches. Many “portraits” were taken. For the soldiers,
lessons were learned about life in the 18th century and the
particular challenges of marching through the Arizona river
routes. The volunteers learned a little bit more about what it was
like in colonial times and their interpretation was enhanced for
future Living History Days.
A back story helped the troops understand who and what they
represented, in order to have a better mind set for the march.
They were reminded that in the second half of 1778 Spanish
troops had suffered two defeats near Terrenate. Thirteen mail
El Presidio Real
4
TH A N K
Y O U
Mark hangs some
not-quite- historicallyaccurate electric lights.
ACTIVITIES
Luminaria Night
It seems so long ago now, but we wanted to share
photos from Luminaria Night. The evening was beautiful
and very busy with over one hundred visitors.
Penny and
Rachel get
a quick treat
making tort
in between
illas.
The Presidio’s Christmas tree,
featuring our friend Mario from
Desert Archaeology.
CO RNER
Historic Hats of Arizona
By Jean Baxter
Thanks to Sid Brinckerhoff’s inspiration, we have two trunks of
historic period hats that travel out to schools on a regular basis.
Trained docents present a 45 minute program explaining the
eighteen hats, which range from a handmade Spanish helmet of
the 1500’s to a turn-of-the century Buffalo Soldier’s hat. Each hat
has an accompanying card that describes the who, what, when,
Everyone h
elp
begins to fa s put away the lumin
ar
ll.
ias as the ra
in just
where, and why of the
hat and a real person in
Arizona’s history who wore
that type of hat. Teachers
are given a packet of possible activities; children
are encouraged to do research at their schools to
learn more. Here we see
Jeri Spears fourth grade
class at Kellond School
in TUSD as they perform original skits using the hats. History
comes to life!
5
Volume 16:1 • Winter 2016
Events and Activities
Saturday, February 20th
Salon and Saloon Lecture:
Martha Ames Burgess
“Insights to Edible and
Useful Plants of the Presidio
Period”
2:00 p.m.
at the Dusty Monk Pub (across the street
from the Presidio) 201 N. Court Avenue.
Price: $5 at the door. No-host drinks and
food available.
Sunday, February 28th –
Archaeology Walk
for Presidio Members
10:15 a.m. at the Presidio
Join archaeologist Homer Thiel for a
walk inside the Presidio and around its
perimeter. Homer will paint a detailed
picture of the life of the Presidio
inhabitants as well as the Native peoples.
He will discuss the famous names we
know like Hugo O’Conor and others who
were equally as important in the story of
Tucson, but not as well remembered.
Price: This event is free for Presidio
members. Please show your member card
or you can purchase membership at the
door. Individual: $30 Family $40
Saturday, March 5th
Field trip to Presidio
Santa Cruz de Terrenate
and Fairbank.
Lead by archaeologists Homer Thiel
and Gayle Hartmann
8:15 a.m.
departure at 8:30 a.m.
Return to Tucson in mid-afternoon. Meet
at the Presidio. See the back cover of this
newsletter for full information.
Price: $20.00 for members; $30 for nonmembers. Price includes a box lunch.
Purchase tickets in advance at www.
TucsonPresidio.com or at the Museum.
Please specify if a vegetarian lunch is
needed.
El Presidio Real
Saturday, March 12th
Living History –
Genealogy Day
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Today will feature presentations on the
Presidio families and their descendants.
Presidio Trust members Rachel Pollack,
Monica Smith, and Homer Thiel will be
on hand to help you research your family
history. Living History also continues with
children’s games, storytelling and fresh
baked bread to sample. Soldiers will
practice their drills and fire a four-pound
bronze cannon, a replica of the cannons
used at the Presidio in the late 1700s.
Price: Regular admission of $3 applies.
Saturday, March 19th
Salon and Saloon Lecture:
Patricia Preciado Martin
“In Their Own Words - Pioneer Stories
Of Tucson” 2:00 p.m. at the Dusty Monk
Pub (across the street from the Presidio)
201 N. Court Avenue. Price: $5 at the
door. No-host drinks and food available.
Sunday, April 3rd
La Merienda – Save the
Date
Presented by
Las Doñas de Tucson.
Honoring Danielle DeConcini Thu.
Traditional food, drink and music.
Presentation on Presidio history by
Homer Thiel. Proceeds from this annual
event are used to support community
efforts to preserve the heritage and
cultures of Tucson.
Monday, April 4th
Field trip to Mission
Garden and the site of
the Mission San Agustin
Lead by archaeologists Homer Thiel and
Gayle Hartmann.
9 a.m. until about noon.
Meet at the Presidio.
We will visit the newly created Mission
6
Garden at the base of “A” Mountain,
visit the site of the Mission San Agustín
and related structures, visit the remains
of Warner’s Mill, and take a quick look
at the Solomon Warner home. After the
trip, if there is interest, we can stop at
the Mercado for a quick lunch. This trip
will be fun and educational, especially for
docents, since we talk about the Mission
San Agustin, etc., on our docent tours of
the Presidio.
Price: This local field trip is free to all
members and docents are especially
invited. Non-members may purchase
membership at the Museum in
advance of the outing. $30 Individual
Membership, $40 Family Membership
Saturday, April 9th
Living History:
Old and New World
Foods
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Living History in the Presidio continues
today. This month the theme is food.
Join us for special presentations on
native foods, samplings of membrillo,
prickly pear and mesquite jellies. What
foods were brought from Europe and
what was cultivated here? Find out by
visiting the Presidio on this day. Living
History also continues with children’s
games, storytelling and fresh baked
bread to sample. Soldiers will practice
their drills and fire a four-pound bronze
cannon.
Price: Regular admission of $3 applies.
Sunday, April 24th
Annual Member Meeting
2:30 p.m.
This year’s meeting will be a little
different. Members, please join us
for cocktails and homemade desserts
made by members of the Board of
the Presidio Trust. Annual business
will include approving the new slate
of officers. Additionally there will be a
brief presentation on the History of the
Turquoise Trail.
Tickets: $15.
NEW IN THE
GIFT SHOP…
Tarahumara Baskets
Pioneer Families of the
Presidio San Agustín del
Tucson, 1775 – 1856
By J. Homer Thiel, this report
is 15 years in the making. After
first discovering and excavating
the Leon farmstead (adjacent
to I-10) Thiel spent the next
decade researching all of the
families of the Presidio. By the
end of the Presidio years, most
of the inhabitants were related
to each other. By systematically
combing through the surviving
records, Thiel pieced together
the lives and stories of these
early families. This publication is
ONLY available at the Presidio
gift shop! Get your copy now!
The Tarahumara are indigenous residents of Copper
Canyon in the Sierra Madre of Chihuahua, Mexico.
They call themselves the Raramuri, or “people”.
Women utilize natural resources such as needles from
Apache Pines and the long split leaves of the sotol
plant for their beautiful woven arts. Using a double-weave technique, they produce baskets and crafts
that with care will last a lifetime! The Tarahumara
weavers have passed down their techniques from
mother to daughter for centuries. Many of these baskets come from a women’s co-operative named “Este
es la Casa de la Mujer” (“This is the Women’s House”)
and supports one of the few Tarahumara-run schools
in the Sierra. Thank you for supporting these artisans,
who send KUIRA (greetings) to you!
Coming soon:
Fighting for Uncle
Sam: Buffalo Soldiers
in the Frontier Army
By John P. Langellier, this book
is a glimpse into the lives of
men who bravely bought their
freedom on the battlefields of
the Civil War, trekked westward and played their part in
opening the Trans-Mississippi
West.
Dr. Langellier will also be on a
panel during the Tucson Festival of Books at the University
of Arizona Special Collections
starting at 10:00 AM titled
“Glimpses of the U.S. 19thcentury army through the lives
of a West Point general, African American Buffalo Soldiers,
and Hispanic Volunteers.” A
book signing with follow the
session at 11:00 AM.
DAILY INTERPETER
We’re looking for a few good hombres y
mujeres! The Presidio needs you!
Individual visitation and group visits
are increasing. We are looking for those
special people who want to be Tucson’s
ambassadors: interacting with the public
and making every visitor feel special.
BECO ME
Docent
A
Interact with our daily visitors. Answer
questions. Give tours. Provide context
and general information. Next docent
training class will be in the fall, but
contact us now to get details. Contact
[email protected] or call
the Museum. Docent training class is
$75 and includes a docent polo shirt,
nametag, and membership to the
Presidio.
Provide basic knowledge of the Presidio.
Interact with the public encouraging them
to try their hand with natural fibers, colonial
period games, grinding corn. Present
information on native foods, soldier’s
supplies and more.
LIVING HISTORY RE-ENACTOR
Wear period dress. Present an activity or
skill of the Colonial or Territorial periods
of Tucson history. Interact with the public
while baking bread in our adobe oven,
weaving or spinning fibers, playing
children’s games and much more.
Homer Thiel – President
Rick Collins – Vice President
Erica Coleman – Vice President
Jean Baxter – Vice President
Jon Rankin – Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS
Daily interpreters and Living History reenactors are asked to take “Introduction to
volunteering at the Presidio”. This half-day
session will cover basic information about
the Presidio and will provide the knowledge
to answer general questions often asked
by the public. Purchase of a membership is
also required. Individual $30 Family $40
7
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Bill Brinckerhoff
Jeanne Broome
Gayle Hartmann
Caitlin Jensen
Laraine Daly Jones
Donald Laidlaw
Monica Dunbar Smith
Autumn Van Den Berg
STAFF
Karen Baez
April Bourie
Amy Hartmann-Gordon
Jennifer Potter
Volume 16:1 • Winter 2016
Presidio San Agustín del Tucson
196 N. Court Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
March 5th
Field trip to Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate and Fairbank.
Lead by archaeologists Homer Thiel and Gayle Hartmann
8:15 a.m.; departure at 8:30 a.m. Return to Tucson in mid-afternoon.
Meet at the Presidio.
Our “sister” presidio of Terrenate was constructed near the west bank of the San
Pedro River in 1775. It lasted only five years and during that time suffered from
its isolation and numerous raids. Two of its four commanders were killed in raids.
Historical archaeologist Homer Thiel will describe the ruins that are still
visible and explain this interesting episode in Arizona’s history.
We will have lunch under the cottonwood trees at the remains of the town
of Fairbank, situated on the east bank of the San Pedro River, a few miles
from Terrenate. We’ll return through the beautiful high grasslands of the
Sonoita Plain.
This trip is limited to 30 people so sign up now! We plan to travel by
carpooling in our own cars. When you register, please us know whether
you would like to drive or be a passenger. Parking near the Presidio San
Agustin is free on Saturday.
Price: $20.00 for members; $30 for non-members. Price includes a box lunch. Purchase tickets in
advance at www.TucsonPresidio.com or at the Museum. Please specify if a vegetarian lunch is needed.