Barrio Viejo in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
El Tiradito
(The Wishing Shrine)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 30, 2009
1. El Tiradito Marker
Inscription.
This is the only shrine in the United States dedicated to the soul of a sinner buried in unconsecrated ground. It is affectionately called "El Tiradito"- the castaway. The many legends about its origin all involve a tragic triangle love affair in the early 1870s. The mysterious powers of "El Tiradito" are still an important part of local Mexican lore and culture. This site is on the National Register of Historic Places., Spanish ,
This is the only shrine in the United States dedicated to the soul of a sinner buried in unconsecrated ground. It is affectionately called "El Tiradito"- the castaway. The many legends about its origin all involve a tragic triangle love affair in the early 1870s. The mysterious powers of "El Tiradito" are still an important part of local Mexican lore and culture. This site is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spanish
El Tiradito
(La Capilla de Anhelos)
Ésta es la única capilla en los Estados Unidos que haya sido dedicada a el alma de un pecador sepultado en tierra que no fuera consagrada. Se le llama afectuosamente “El Tiradito” - significado “rechazado”. Las muchas leyendas de su origen implican una trágica historia de amor que ocurrió en la temprana parte de los años de 1870. Los misteriosos poderes de “El Tiradito” aún se conservan como importantes en la erudición y cultura Mexicana local. Este sitio se encuentra en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos.
Erected 1988 by Tucson Historical Committee
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and Arizona Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Hispanic Americans. In addition, it is included in the Arizona, The Presidio Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 32° 12.972′ N, 110° 58.472′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Barrio Viejo. It is on South Main Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 South Main Avenue, Tucson AZ 85701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sky Islands, in the Sonoran Desert, and in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Gadsden Purchase.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Convent Street (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding El Tiradito. Perhaps the most unusual of Tucson's historic landmarks is the Mexican religious shrine known as "El Tiradito" (The Outcast), which is dedicated not
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 30, 2009
2. El Tiradito Marker Spanish version
to a saint, but to a sinner who died violently and dishonorably. This "Wishing Shrine," manifesting the complete antithesis of San Augustin Church, or any other religious edifice, for that matter, has, for over three-quarters of a century been revered by Mexicans, Indians and Anglo-Americans. They believed, and still do, that their wishes would come true if their candles burned through the night. In 1928, the Shrine was moved from its original location on the southwest corner of Meyer and Simpson (the inner Barrio) to its present location on the west side of the 300 block of South Main Street (the edge of the Barrio). It has been stated that the mystic power of the Shrine did not suffer in the short move, yet our interviews suggest that the Shrine does not have the importance it formerly had. While it may not be a vital part of the Barrio residents' daily lives today, it still maintains its position as a major element in their culture and ethnic identity. The magnitude of its importance to the individual has not changed, only the number of people who regularly patronize it. In November, 1971, El Tiradito was entered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Regarding El Tiradito (The Wishing Shrine).
El Tiradito (The Wishing Shrine) is #10 on the Presidio Trail Walking Tour. The description reads:
“This shrine is typical of small shrines in
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 30, 2009
3. The Wishing Shrine
many communities in Mexico, where people come to burn candles and pray, asking for help with their problems. One legend associated with this shrine involves a tragic love triangle in the 1870s, with a husband killing his wife’s lover. A priest would not let the man be buried in the consecrated cemetery so local people lit candles at this location to pray for his soul.”
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,103 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A link to the National Register of Historic Places nomination form with a citation of the site's historical significance. • Can you help?
