History of Mission Garden
The area surrounding Sentinel Peak (‘A’ Mountain) is one of the longest known areas of continuous cultivation in the United States. Including the oldest known canal-irrigated agriculture in the United States (starting at least 3,500 years ago) and stewarded by the Tohono O’odham people.
Paleo Indians
Throughout the history of this general area there have been several groups of peoples that have inhabited the area throughout history. The first group of people that inhabited this area were known as the paleo indians. This was a group of hunter gatherers. There is evidence of mammoths roaming this region during this time period as well. The period that these people inhabited the area was between 11,500-7,500 BC. Climate in the region was wetter and cooler than today's weather.
Archaic Period
Between 8,500-2,100 BC the climate of this region became hotter and drier like it is today. The groups of people in the region focused on seasonal foraging of local plants and hunted a variety of game in the region. To process the seeds that they gathered from plants, they used stone tools to grind it up and break it down.
Early Agriculture
2,100 BC was the start of agriculture in this region. People in the Tucson Basin started to cultivate and grow a variety of crops in the area. The main crop that they started farming and producing was maize that originated in mesoamerica. The methods that they used to farm this crop was by method of building canals by the Santa Cruz River. This method of farming was especially convenient for the people in the area because they had a steady water supply nearby. In comparison to other areas in the region, this water source was a main reason why agriculture in the area persisted and thrived. During this time the bow and arrow started being used alongside the older spear and dart. The bow and arrow created a more efficient way to hunt game and provide food for the people in this area. This was a very significant technological advancement during this time period.
Early Ceramic
Throughout 50-500 AD pottery was regularly used by the inhabitants of this area. There was also an increase in the variety of crops that were being produced. They implemented beans, squash, cotton, and agave. Due to this increase in crop production there was a more steady supply of food amongst these people. They built more sturdy housing structures where they lived all of the year. This created a more steady civilization where the population increased and the civilization thrived.
Hohokam Period
From 500-1,450 AD the common colors of pottery produced were red and brown. This stylization of pottery was very common and popular amongst the Hohokam people. The villages had formalized courtyard groups organized into village segments. They had within the roasting areas and cemeteries for the deceased. The cremation of lost loved ones became customary in this civilization. In the beginning most of the villages were set alongside the Santa Cruz river. Around 750 AD some villages became larger and they even reached all the way to the foothills region of Tucson, Az. It has been found that some of these villages had ball courts within them. Despite the very significant expansion of this civilization, the largest villages remained on terraces above the Santa Cruz river.
Hohokam Classic Period
Above ground adobe structures were added to the villages. Though ball courts were abandoned, three were special structures and platforms where ceremonies may have taken place. During this time period the cultivation of agave reached its apex.
1450-1692 AD
Hohokam culture and civilization traits began to disappear. Little is known as to why but historians say that during this time the people who inhabited this area were likely the O'odham people. They likely experienced Spanish colonization in the late 1600’s.
Spanish Colonization
Father Kino, a Jesuit priest and other colonizers encountered the O’odham people from 1692-1700. They encountered them alongside the Santa Cruz river. They stretched from what is now known as San Xavier to the confluence with Rillito. Father Kino wrote down the name of the latter place as Tucson meaning Black Base: referring to the volcanic rock located at Sentinel peak or as it is now known as A-Mountain. The mission that was built at Santa Cruz was later known as san Agustin. In 1751 they built the first chapel in San Agustin.
1785-1800
1790s saw construction surge at Mission San Agustin, with construction of the casa conventual (convento) and granary, and reconstruction of the chapel. Ak Chin Pimas and Apaches from Aravaipa settled in Tucson and helped built the San Agustin Mission. The mission had orchards, tanning vats, a soap factory, a blacksmith shop, and a smelter. In 1797 the First Mission chapel in poor condition, new church started. After San Xavier was completed, workers “moved to San Agustín and built a two-story convento (a priest’s residence and possibly a trade school), a chapel, a granary, cemetery areas, and a surrounding compound wall.” In 1800 the second chapel was completed.
1800-1821
During this time more apaches started inhabiting this area. Tucson had 1,105 inhabitants that produced 2,500 bushels of wheat, 3,500 cattle, and 1,200 horses. By the end of this time period the spaniards were expelled form this area due to Mexico's Independence. This area was now considered to be part of Mexico.
Territorial Period AD 1856 – 1912
1856 Mexican troops leave presidio of Tucson
1859-60 Catholic church re-established in Tucson
1862 U.S. Army Major David Ferguson draws a map of Tucson agricultural fields, Mission, Mission Garden
1866 US Army establishes Camp Lowell
1869 Leopoldo Carrillo begins constructing house across Mission Lane using some of the convento building materials.
1870 Tucson’s population is 3,000
1875-99 Solomon Warner’s mill in operation
1880s Treasure hunters loot the decaying convento building
Leopoldo Carillo House/Mission Garden
This House was built by Leopolodo Carillo. In the region by the San Xavier mission this house had within it a garden which is where Mission Garden is Located. In the 1880’s Chinese Immigrants moved into the Carillo house. These Immigrants continued using Mission Garden to produce and farm in this region. These Chinese immigrants found it profitable to move to the Santa Cruz river region and produce a variety of fruits and vegetables. This is the history of Mission Garden and the story of the original inhabitants of the area where mission garden currently resides.
Sources
https://www.missiongarden.org/timeline
