TUCSON PRESIDIO TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1984 by Lewis Hall, a prominent local architect.
Mr. Hall had 2 goals; to raise awareness of southern Arizona's Spanish and Mexican heritage and to push for
the reconstruction of portions of the adobe-walled fortress that stood in what is now downtown Tucson,
established in 1775 and in use until 1856.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hall passed away in 1998 and his dream seemed to be lost. However, local voters passed
a ballot measure in 1999 that diverted local sales tax money to a revitalization project, the Rio Nuevo Project.
As part of the Rio Nuevo Project, the City of Tucson has completed the anchor of the Tucson Origins Cultural Park,
the reconstruction of the north east corner of the Royal Presido de San Agustín de Tucson. The northeast tower,
adjoining walls, and an interior home were recreated. The Tucson Presidio Trust's La Gente living history program
interprets life in the park, providing local residents and visitors a glimpse of the community's past.
EL PRESIDIO REAL de SAN AGUSTÍN del TUCSON 
The Tucson Presidio was established in August 1775 by Spanish Army Captain Hugo O Conor. The soldados and their families moved north from Tubac sometime during the Fall of the following year. The fort was first enclosed with a wood palisade, and later, after a large Apache assault, by a 8-to-12 ft high adobe wall that was about 700 ft to a side. The presidio remained in use until the American entrance into Tucson in March 1856, and was quickly dismantled afterwards. The last standing segment of the wall was torn down in 1918. In the years since efforts have been made to locate and mark the walls.
Archaeological excavations at the presidio site, at the corner of Church and Washington Streets in downtown Tucson,
were completed in February 2006. Construction includes the 20 foot tall adobe tower (torreon) and the 10-ft. high
adobe walls. This reconstruction incorporates a renovated adobe triplex on Meyer St. as a museum and gift shop.
On the south side of the presidio corner is a large mural wall that provides a "view" into the remainder of the
11-acre presidio.
Hours: 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday
New Hours March 1 ---- 10:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Phone number: 884-4214
Location: corner of Washington and Church Streets in downtown Tucson. During the week parking is available in a nearby
parking garage on Alameda St; metered parking is available on nearby streets. On weekend street parking is free.
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Most visitors to Tucson, as well as many residents, have little understanding of the day-to-day life of the Spanish Colonial soldiers and families that lived in and around the adobe-walled fortress.
The Tucson Presidio Trust Living History Interpretation Program, La Gente de Presidio and the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Garrison, was formed to aid in education
about the Presidio and early Tucson. Members of the Trust demonstrate a variety of daily life activities.
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