Downtown in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Garcés Footbridge

Puente de Garcés

— Historic Site —

Garcés Footbridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

1. Garcés Footbridge Marker

Inscription. Memorial to Francisco Garcés, explorer and first Franciscan missionary to the Pima village at the foot of Sentinel Peak. In 1770 Garcés and the Pimas constructed at that site the first substantial building in Tucson, a mission residence with two rounded towers for defense. On August 20, 1775, he led Lt. Col. Hugo Oconor to this present site, designated for the founding of the Royal Spanish Presidio of Tucson. Garcés and the Pimas helped in the construction of the new presidio. A principal founder of Tucson, he died in the Yuma uprising of 1781.

Spanish Translation Marker
Puente de Garcés Memorial a Francisco Garcés, explorador y primer misionero franciscano a los Pimas residentes al pie del Cerro Centinela. En 1770 Garcés y sus Pimas construyeron en ese sitio el primer edificio fuerte en Tucsón, una casa misional de adobe con dos torreones de defensa. El 20 de agosto, 1775, condujo al Teniente Coronel Hugo Oconor a este sitio actual, señalado para la fundación del Real Presidio de Tucsón. Garcés y sus Pimas asistieron en la construcción del nuevo presidio. Un fundador principal de Tucsón, se sacrificó en la rebelión

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Yuma de 1781.

Erected by Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and Arizona Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era • Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Arizona, The Presidio Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 32° 13.293′ N, 110° 58.426′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from West Broadway Boulevard. Marker is on the east wall of the bridge above West Congress Street and West Broadway Boulevard (just west of North Church Avenue). You must walk on the bridge to see the marker. Spanish translation marker is on west wall of bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

Spanish translation marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

2. Spanish translation marker.

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Meyer Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza de la Mesilla (within shouting distance of this marker); Allande Footbridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Catedral de San Agustin (about 300 feet away); Pennington Footbridge (about 400 feet away); Plaza de las Armas (about 400 feet away); Vietnam War Memorial (about 400 feet away); August 20th Park (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Regarding Garcés Footbridge. Garcés Footbridge is #6 on the Presidio Trail Walking Tour. The description reads:
“This bridge, across Broadway, commemorates Father Francisco Garcés, the Franciscan priest who rode north from Tubac with Lt. Col. Hugo O’Conor in 1775 to found the presidio in Tucson. He explored throughout the region and died in 1781 during an Indian uprising.”

Garcés Footbridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

3. Garcés Footbridge

View of Garcés Footbridge looking north across bridge.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

4. Garcés Footbridge

View of Garcés Footbridge looking south across bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,064 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.