Presidio San Agustin del Tucson, Tucson (must see)

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum was created to offer visitors a glimpse into life in 1775. The original Presidio is believed to have been constructed in the fall of 1776, though construction and rebuilding continued for decades afterward. Spanish soldiers under the command of Captain Hugh O’Conor, an Irish-born officer in the Spanish army, established the fort as part of Spain’s effort to secure and expand its northern frontier.

The Presidio is considered the earliest structure in Tucson and the foundation of the city itself. Even the name “Tucson” reflects the site’s position at the “black base” of Sentinel Peak. The fort operated until 1856, when it was dismantled for building materials. The last remaining wall was removed in 1918, so the structure visitors see today is a historically informed reconstruction based on archaeological work and surviving sketches.

As you make your way into the exhibit area inside the compound, stop at the glass cases on your right and take a close look at the pottery fragments, stone tools, and household items uncovered during excavations. These artifacts show how Indigenous communities and Spanish settlers prepared food, made tools, and carried out daily tasks inside the original fort. The variety of objects helps explain how military duties and family life overlapped within this small, enclosed community.

From the central courtyard, walk toward the adobe building with the wooden porch roof—you’ll be approaching the Siqueiros–Jácome House, an original 1860s Sonoran row home. When you step into the front room, notice the narrow layout and thick walls, characteristic of Sonoran domestic architecture. This is where Soledad Jácome raised her six daughters after her husband, Juan Siqueiros, disappeared in the early 1870s. The room arrangement still reflects how the family lived and worked in this space.

The museum also highlights the experiences of Native peoples and early territorial settlers. On select days, visitors can watch demonstrations such as cotton and wool carding, spinning, weaving, tortilla making, or musket firing. Seasonal events, including gardening workshops, lectures on territorial Tucson, and evening ghost tours, offer additional ways to explore the site.