Arizona State Parks - Press Release

ARIZONA STATE PARKS
For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partnerships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, pio at azstateparks.gov or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997
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Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Presents
"Military through the Ages" on March 24 & 25

(Phoenix, Arizona - March 20, 2007) - On March 24th and 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park will have re-enactors and an encampment from different eras including the Civil War and World Wars I and II.

Military enthusiasts are welcome to join us for festivities throughout the day including uniform and firearms displays, and motorized vehicles. John Yazzie will have a presentation about "Code Talkers" on Saturday at 2 p.m. There will also be food on hand to purchase.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is known as Arizona's first State Park. The church and the military were the vanguards of Spanish frontier expansion throughout New Spain. The Jesuit, Eusebio Francisco Kino, established missions from 1687 to 1711 to christianize and control Native Americans in the area. He established nearby Tumacacori in 1691, and Tubac, then a small Piman village, became a mission farm and ranch. Spanish Colonists began to settle here during the 1730s, irrigating and farming the lands along the river and raising cattle, sheep and goats on the northern frontier of Spain's New World empire.

Luis of Saric, a Pima chief stirred by many grievances, led a bloody revolt late in 1751, destroying the small settlement at Tubac. Following a major battle, and subsequent surrender of the Pimans, the Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac was founded in June of 1752. The fifty cavalrymen garrisoned at this remote military post were to prevent further rebellion, protect colonists and the mission, and further explore the Southwest.

For more information call Tubac Presidio State Historic Park at 520-398-2252. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is located at One Burruel Street in Tubac, Arizona. The park is located 45 miles south of Tucson on Interstate 19.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

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