In January of 1691 a tall Jesuit missionary astride his horse rode north through the Santa Cruz Valley.  Stopping at the Pima Indian village of Tumacácori, on the east bank of the Santa Cruz River, Father Kino celebrated Mass for the village inhabitants.

From 1687, when he first entered the Pimería Alta, until his death in 1711, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino was tireless in his travels through uncharted desert, river valleys, and mountain ranges.  He established missions in what are today northern Mexico and southern Arizona.

However, Father Kino merits recognition not only for his religious zeal, but for his achievements in other fields.  Born in northern Italy in 1645, he entered the Jesuit college at Trent and went on to the Jesuit college at Hall near Innsbruck,  Austria.  He joined the Company of Jesus on November 20, 1665 after an illness which nearly claimed his life.  He also attended the Universities of Landsberg, Inlolstadt, Innsbruck, Munich and Oehingen.

He came to the New World in 1681 and brought intellectual curiosity to his exploration of a new world. He was appointed missionary and royal cosmographer for the California Expedition on October 28, 1682.  He arrived in Baja California on April 4, 1683.  He was on the second expedition to California on October 6, 1683 at which time he built a mission and established a fort at San Bruno near Loreto.  A cartographer and astronomer, Kino drew the first accurate maps of the Pimería Alta, of the Sea of Cortez, and of Baja California.  He was the first to prove that Baja California was a peninsula, not an island.  Through his contribution of new crops, especially wheat, and domesticated animals such as cattle and sheep, a new and different culture composed of both New and Old World elements began.

Padre Kino was noteworthy for the good relations he established with the indigenous peoples among whom he worked.  He treated the Pimas with respect and learned their language.  By helping the various Piman groups to come together to resist the fierce Apache tribes, Kino brought peace and security to the Pimería.  In turn, the Pimas and other tribal groups affectionately regarded Kino as a leader and advocate.  When a tragic misunderstanding resulted in the Pima Revolt of 1695, it was Kino who brought an end to hostilities and reestablished peace.

Until 1711 Kino continued his efforts to build agriculturally self-sufficient mission pueblos such as Tumacácori and Guevavi.  He established over 20 missions and visitas and set up the foundation for modern agriculture and livestock raising.  He promoted apprenticeships of artisans and similar trades.  He traveled and explored extensively: Tumacacori -1691; Altar River - 1692; Gila River to Casa Grande - 1695; Baja California  - 1697; Santa María and San Pedro Rivers - 1698; Gulf of California from the north, Colorado River - 1700; Repeat trip and crossed the Colorado on a raft - 1701; Repeat trip and proved that California is not an island - 1702; Guaymas - 1704; Tiburon Island - 1706; Pinacate and Santa Clara - 1706.  Today, if you visit his shrine in Magdalena, Sonora, you can sense the devotion people still offer to Father Kino - the indomitable Padre of the Pimería Alta.