Pima County


Historic Route. The historic route through Pima County basically follows the Santa Cruz River, passing through Green Valley, Tucson, and Marana. San Xavier Mission, located near Tucson, was one of the expedition's stopping points. "...In those days the river was not incised and channelized as it is today; rather, it tended to meander and to broaden out to create cienagas. Vegetation along the stream, now largely destroyed, would probably have prevented the settlers from proceeding directly near the banks." (from the Pima County Task Force Report, July 1993) 

Federal Components
None 

Historic Sites
Camp #17, Mission San Xavier del Bac

High Potential Route Segments
Santa Cruz River Park, owned and managed by the City of Tucson, contains a multiuse trail within the historic corridor.

Interpretive Sites
Camp #15, La Canoa is interpreted at an Arizona Department of Transportation road side rest along I-19 near La Canoa.

San Agustín del Tucson Mission site

Presidio San Agustín del Tucson site

Santa Cruz River Park in Tucson 

Camp #19, Los Morteros Archeological Site (Hohokam)

Proposed County parks

Proposed recreation and equestrian staging area and trail in Green Valley

Recreational Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is recognized in the Pima County Comprehensive Plan. Segments will be added to Santa Cruz River Park multiuse trail either as part of county flood control projects or as interim trail linkages.

Auto Route (marked)
Interstate 19 from Santa Cruz County to Tucson is within the historic corridor. Interstate10 (I-10) then continues along the general alignment of Anza's route.

A more scenic route which could be marked from Mission San Xavier to the county line exits I-19 at San Xavier Road to the mission, follows Mission Road to Grande Avenue to St. Mary's Road to Silverbell Road, a fairly rural road along the west side of the Santa Cruz River. At Marana, the auto route would rejoin I-10.

Agency/Organization Coordination
City of Marana 
City of Tucson 
Community of Green Valley
Franciscans
Landowners
Pima County 
• Transportation & Flood Control District
• Parks & Recreation Department
• Development Services Department
State of Arizona 
• Department of Transportation
• Game & Fish Department
• Office of Historic Preservation
Tohono O'odham Nation, San Xavier District
Town of Suhuarita
US Fish & Wildlife Service

Note: Historians and archaeologists hold varying opinions about the location of the village of Tuquison in October 1775, related to campsite #18. Some believe it was sited at what is now the I-10/ Miracle Mile interchange. Others believe it was at the foot of Sentinel Peak. The task force selected the historic route through Pima County based on the Miracle Mile siting. Local interpretation will explain both opinions.
Appendix C