Thanks mad_as_he$$ and fieldmarshaldj.
Posted on 06/10/2016 12:39:31 PM PDT by SandRat
The Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, a Spanish fort established in 1775 and abandoned by 1780, is one of the most intriguing and evocative sites along the San Pedro River.
Relatively few prehistoric and historic sites have been investigated along the San Pedro River, given the area’s rich history.
Most of what is known about the early historic inhabitants of the San Pedro comes from Spanish military and church documents, along with the archaeological excavations and publications of Dr. Charles diPeso, who served as director of the Amerind Foundation from 1952 to1982, and more recently by archaeologist Dr. Deni Seymour, an internationally recognized authority on protohistoric and historic Native American and Spanish colonial archaeology and ethnohistory.
Today, the presidio consists of melting adobe walls with the rock footings for the outer walls and a few stubby walls remaining around the chapel and the comandante’s quarters. The remnants of the presidio stand as a monument to three cultures: Spanish, Apache, and Sobaipuri — each the embodiment of romance and legend.
The presidio represents Spanish bravery, stubbornness and futility in protecting and extending the 18th century Sonoran frontier, where Apache resistance checkmated Spanish frontier expansion. It is also a specter of the Sobaipuri village culture as Spanish ally and Apache enemy.
The Spanish regarded the frontier as a leaky sieve, so Spanish military and administrators devised a plan to realign the presidios to protect the ranches, missions, mines and villages from raids by the Apaches and other Native Americans.
The presidio would house a company of 57 presidial soldiers, their families, Indian allies, and half of the 45-man flying company, (a troop that patrolled the roadways from missions and other presidios to the south and could be ready immediately if an emergency arose).
The Spanish selected the site for several reasons, foremost among them was location. From the presidio, the Spanish could stop raids from Apache rancherias in the Chiricahua Mountains and the Gila wilderness and protect the east-west communication lines linking New Mexico to the California coast.
The Sobiapuri were successful farmers in the San Pedro Valley until they felt compelled to move west to the Sonita area and to the Santa Cruz River because they too were raided by the Apache. As allies of the Spanish for about 80 years, they were willing to come back to the presidio to reclaim their lands.
The Spanish envisioned the river providing their drinking water as well as irrigating their crops. The area also offered necessary building material, such as large rocks for the wall footings and sand to make adobe.
Construction design was adapted from the Middle Eastern caravanserai, a walled square or rectangle with a single entry. The plan was simple so illiterate construction workers and soldiers were able to build it. The presidio was nearly square, with a double gate facing the San Pedro River and a bastion at the rear to store arms and gunpowder.
The fort offered a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside, which they Spanish hoped would provide extra security. It did not. While the presidio had a prime location and the earmarks of success, problems plagued the construction.
Within a couple of months, the Apaches had stolen a pair of oxen the Spanish brought in to move the heavy rocks for foundation footings. Other problems plagued Terrenate — Apache attacks, inferior weapons and ammunition, and poor logistical support with inadequate and infrequent supply trains.
The area was remote. It was 70 miles from Spanish settlements along the Santa Cruz River and almost as far the presidios in San Bernardino (across from Douglas) and Cananea.
Corruption plagued its construction and constant attacks by the Apaches forced the soldiers, their families, settlers and Indian allies to stay within the shelter of the presidio’s incomplete walls. Three hundred people, plus their surviving animals, lived in an area less than the size of two football fields. Fear was a constant companion.
For five years the presidio managed a presence along the San Pedro River. During this period more than 80 men, plus two of their captains and an unknown number of civilians, were killed. When the order came to abandon the presidio in 1780 and retreat to Nutrias, south of the Huachuca Mountains, it was not a moment too soon for the starving and exhausted soldiers and their families.
The Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate is located within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area north of Highway 82 on In Balance Ranch Road, about 1 mile west of the river. A trail leading to the presidio site is well signed.
Perri Barnes had a double major in anthropology and history from the University of Arizona and a Masters in history from St. Ross St. University. She worked for the Navy as an archaeologist before moving here nearly 27 years ago. Perrie was an adjunct faculty member in anthropology and history at Cochise College for more than 15 years, and a lecturer for Geronimo Road Scholar tours here and into Mexico for many years.
FSPR gives free group presentations about the cultural and natural aspects of the SPRNCA. The Friends can be reached at fspr@sanpedroriver.org or FSPR, 4070 E Avenida Saracino, Hereford, AZ. 85615, phone 459-2555; Website is www.sanpedroriver.org for a schedule of events. Like us on Facebook.
The author waits about eight paragraphs to give us a clue as to where this place is located.
Agreed, bad style but informative facts.
“The author waits about eight paragraphs to give us a clue as to where this place is located.”
Not enough of a clue for me... Is he talking about California?
Very poorly written article...
Arizona I believe.
*ping*
Thanks mad_as_he$$ and fieldmarshaldj.
A photo would have been helpful as well.
“Corruption plagued its construction...”
A public sector construction project marred by corruption? The more things change...
The San Pedro is in Southern Arizona. Just west of Tombstone.
Mr. RR and I went there with Jeep group a few months ago.
Very interesting and quite impressive.
We’re “Snowbirds” but nearly ready to buy a home near Ft. Huachuca. Love Arizona!
Correct. Not far from Sierra Vista way down Arizona way.
What is little known as well is the fact that German agents operating from Mexico made several attempts to rile up Americans and Mexicans along the border during WW1.
Love the Farmer’s market in Sierra Vista on Thursdays. Some really great food items and hand made crafts.
You should see Art In The Park in October - - - - OH BOY!
Sadly, we won’t be there until after the holidays. For three months. Would love to meet you.
Loved that place!
Apache in paragraph 4 was a help.
Except that traditionally Apache tribes could be found in many places in the American Southwest and Northern Mexico.
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