If the words Pimería Alta conjure up visions of Spanish conquistadores in shining helmets and breastplates, you are half right. The first Spaniard, indeed the first European to enter the Santa Cruz Valley was Fray Marcos de Niza in 1539, decades before the first settlement at Jamestown or the landing of the Mayflower. But it was a priest, Father Kino who traveled in 1691 throughout the high desert region opening the lands north to the Gila River to Christianize the Indians. He named the region the “Pimería Alta,” the high region of the Pima Indians.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail starts here. Anza began recruiting settlers and soldiers in the Spring of 1775. They assembled in San Miguel de Horcasitas (now in Mexico) and departed on September 29, 1775, heading north. The final assembly was at Tubac Presidio, where they left Spanish civilization behind and traveled 890 miles to Monterey, California.

Santa Cruz County is located the southernmost central part of Arizona, bordering Mexico and serving as the gateway to North America's most important port of entry, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. While one of the state's smallest counties, Santa Cruz County is also one of Arizona's most diverse and interesting destinations, offering an eclectic blend of history, culture, art, recreation, shopping, cuisine and entertainment in a beautiful and relaxing setting.

To bring together those people interested in the history of the Southwest, and especially the history of the Tubac area. By discovering and collecting material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area and providing for the preservation of such material and to make it accessible to those who wish to examine or study it. To undertake the preservation of historic buildings, sites and markers.

At Huachuca in 1918, the men of the 10th Cavalry had time to reflect on the events in Europe and waited anxiously to learn if they were to get in on the fighting. But they were required on the border, a place at that time that was thought to be subject to attack from Mexicans instigated by German agents. The threat from south of the border appeared to be real and intelligence reports on German activities there were received in number.

The history of the region dates back to the cultures of the Apache, Yaqui and Hohokam peoples who built their communities along the Santa Cruz River, Sonoita Creek and Harshaw Creek, whose waters flowed year round and provided ideal sites for agriculture and ranching.

Ghost towns are a long-time favorite attraction in Arizona. Visitors to the Ghost Towns listed below should pay careful attention to personal safety and the preservation of the ghost towns. Entering old ghost town buildings is both dangerous and illegal.

An official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation authorized under the National Historic Preservation. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.