Tag Archive: historic architecture

Spanish Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, Arizona

May 9, 2021 0 Comments

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One of the distinguishing cultural and architectural aspects of the American Southwest are historic remnants of Catholic missions that were established by the Empire of Spain in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The goal unlike the conquest of Mexico and South America for gold and riches, was to save the souls of native american indians the Spanish saw as pagans.

The Spanish Catholic Mission San Xavier del Bac was founded ten miles south of modern day Tucson, Arizona. It was founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Kino, who also started the Tumacacori Spanish Mission just to the south near the border with Mexico. During his life, Eusebio established more than 24 missions, and country chapels in Pimería Alta (Sonora) and Baja California.

This mission was named after Francis Xavier, a Christian missionary and a founder of the Jesuit Order. The current church was completed in 1797, after the previous structure was destroyed by the Apaches. Its primary mission was the conversion of the local Pima Indians, and more specifically the Tohono O’odham band.

The church employees white stucco and a ornate Moorish-inspired architectural design.

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Tumacacori Spanish Mission Church – Tubac, Arizona

May 9, 2021 0 Comments

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One of the distinguishing cultural and architectural aspects of the American Southwest are historic remnants of Catholic missions that were established by the Empire of Spain in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The goal unlike the conquest of Mexico and South America for gold and riches, was to save the souls of native american indians the Spanish saw as pagans.

One of those missions was the Tumacacori Spanish Mission Church is located outside of Tubac, Arizona. The mission dates back to as early as 1691 (though the present building dates back only to 1753), and was founded by the Jesuit priest Father Eusebio Francisco Kino of the Franciscan order. During his life, Eusebio established more than 24 missions, and country chapels in Pimería Alta (Sonora) and Baja California. The name of the current Church translates as “The Mission of Saint Joseph of the Rocky Flat Place”. The building is considered of Spanish Colonial architectural design and is similar in nature to other Spanish mission churches found in California and New Mexico. The primary mission of the church was the conversion of the local Pima Indians, and more specifically the Tohono O’odham band.

The Franciscans are a monastic Christian religious order within the Catholic Church, that was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1209.

Another Spanish mission founded by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, also exists up the road near Tucson, Arizona. It is known as San Xavier del Bac.

National Park Service – San José de Tumacácori
Adventurous Way – Tumacácori National Historical Park

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Spring Mill Pioneer Village – Mitchell – Indiana

April 16, 2021 0 Comments

Spring Mill Pioneer Village - Mitchell - Indiana

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The Spring Mill pioneer village was founded in 1814, to take advantage of water flowing from the surrounding Mitchell Karst Plateau that never froze, and in particular a spring originating in Hamer Cave west of the village that is the source of the creek that flows through the village center. The restored village contains 20 historic buildings, and originally included several gristmills, a wool mill, a saw mill, and a distillery. The surviving grist mill still produces corn mill to this day.

The park, at 1,358 acres includes a memorial to Gus Grisom, a famous NASA astronaut who was a member of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs, and a native of Mitchell, Indiana. There also a number of karst-related caves and sinkholes, in addition to Hamer, including – Donaldson (Shawnee), and Twin Caves. The latter is large enough to offer an underground boat tour during the summer months.

Part of the park preserves an old growth forest and is protected as part of the Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve.

Indiana DNR – Spring Mill State Park

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