Barrio Viejo in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
El Tiradito
(The Wishing Shrine)
[ Spanish Translation: ]
(La Capilla de Anhelos)
Erected 1988 by Tucson Historical Committee 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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carrillo Intermediate School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Teatro Carmen (about 400 feet away); Cushing Street (about 700 feet away); McCormick Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sosa-Carillo-Frémont House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stone Avenue (approx. ¼ mile away); Ochoa Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Carlos Ygnacio Velasco House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.
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 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 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 December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,456 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.