• Juan Bautista de Anza

    National Historic Trail AZ,CA

"¡Vayan Subiendo!"

"Everyone mount up!" A familiar call from Spanish Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza. In 1775-76, Anza led more than 240 men, women and children on an overland journey from the frontier of New Spain to settle Alta California. Follow 1200 miles in the footsteps of this intrepid, multiethnic expedition, and explore the rich cultural history of communities from Nogales, Arizona, to San Francisco.

Did You Know?

Copyright Bill Singleton, NPS and Pima County Graphics

Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza was one of the first Spaniards to visit the Casa Grande ruins in modern day Arizona in 1775.  He had his priest, Father Pedro Font, measure its dimensions with a lance, and then use an astronomical quadrant to fix its astronomical position. More...