Spanish Colonial & Mexican Period Life in Tucson

In this Archaeology Cafe, Homer Thiel, Senior Project Director and Historical Archaeologist at Desert Archaeology, Inc, presents "Spanish Colonial and Mexican Period Life in Tucson."
Tradition says that on August 20, 1775, Regular Spanish Army Lt. Colonel Hugo O’Conor, of Irish decent, chose what is now downtown Tucson as the site of the historic Presidio San Agustin del Tucson. From that point until 1856, when the Americans took over the region following the Gadsen Purchase, Tucson was first part of the Spanish colonies, and later a piece of Mexico. This history has resulted in the rich, diverse community that we Tucsonans enjoy today. Thiel is intimately familiar with Tucson’s Spanish Colonial and Mexican Period history, and he will share highlights of what has been learned about life during this time thanks to decades of archaeological research in downtown Tucson.

[@nancyblair9862]

LOVED this talk! Thanx SO much! I loved the comments so much too!

[@americanmeteoritefan9670]

Great talk! While researching my family genealogy I found 3 relatives who were soldiers at the presidio. They came as a job (my relatives)but the people they protected came as "pioneers", who were under agreement with the king of Spain to settle areas for more civilized Spanish to occupy later. In exchange they would be able to have a piece to settle for themselves hence some of mine stayed there and others went on to settle LosAngeles or LasVegas villiage Colorado. My family's home was on court and meter, the parking lot was placed over the area near the court intentionally because only the soldiers bones were moved, the poor we're given time to move but had to pay someone to do it! So many of our bones lie there.
My grandfather studied the areas Adobe buildings for the University, and explored options to preserve them.
My family names are Fimbres, de Aldai, Bravo, and Montano.
The Chinese who were sent were not laborors it was an honor, they were nominated by their towns back home, only the best businessmen. After they were forced off of the rails. they were only allowed to CLERK the stores and work in mines, no ownership allowed but some had deals with the owners.

[@jackdaniel1362]

What a badass video.

[@SolaceEasy]

Thanks Homer! D'oh!

[@McClueFamily]

33:00 Mexican sugar during that time came from the current day State of Morelos (Cocoyoc), near Cuautla, Morelos. There are still sugar plantations in that area, and remnants all the way back to the 1520s.

[@borderlandia]

Sugarcane was being grown in Sonora since the 17th century, so doubtful it came from so far away.

[@McClueFamily]

26:16 Veracruz is on the East Coast, not the West Coast.

[@McClueFamily]

So, you probably meant Acapulco.

[@exploreAZ]

At 21.15 aprox..homer mentioned 1 of 3 old bells being at a church in town. Do you happen to have an address for the church. Pope Pius I think is what he said.

[@ArchaeologySouthwest]

I believe it's the Saint Pius X Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo. You might enjoy this article for more information: tucson.com/news/local/netos-tucson-209-year-old-presidio-bell-to-ring-again/article_00cd0536-aede-5b73-96c1-38074a6b0edb.html

[@exploreAZ]

What is the club or group homer mentioned at approx 5:50 of modern tucson families with long tucson ties.

[@ArchaeologySouthwest]

Los Descendientes del Presidio
de Tucson: www.descendientes.org/

[@exploreAZ]

Thank you for the response!

[@ArchaeologySouthwest]

My pleasure!

[@thenextshenanigantownandth4393]

It's pronounced Con er exactly the same as in English, just different spelling.