Vintage real photo postcard (RPPC) showing the historic Mission San José de Tumacácori in southern Arizona.
The photograph shows the mission church in its preserved ruin state, including its distinctive façade, bell tower and domed sanctuary. The printed caption reads:
“Tumacacori Mission From Tumacacori National Monument, Tucson Arizona”
Tumacácori has a particularly deep history. Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino established the original Tumacácori mission in 1691, making it one of the earliest Spanish mission sites in what is now Arizona. Following the Pima Revolt of 1751, the mission was relocated to its present site and became known as San José de Tumacácori.
The substantial church pictured here dates principally from the Franciscan period. Construction on the larger church began around 1800, but the ambitious building was never completely finished. The Tumacácori community was ultimately abandoned in 1848.
The ruins gained federal protection when President Theodore Roosevelt established Tumacácori National Monument in 1908. The National Park Service began administering the site in 1918, and it later became part of Tumacácori National Historical Park.
The postcard is unused and has a plain photographic back with a faint stamp box. A strong historic Arizona card with crossover appeal to collectors of Spanish missions, National Parks and Monuments, Southwestern history, Catholic history, and early Arizona photography.
Fair to good vintage condition. Photograph remains quite clear with strong architectural detail and contrast. There is visible age wear including light toning, corner and edge wear, and some small surface marks. Reverse is unused and largely clean. Please examine the provided photographs closely for exact condition.
Tumacacori, Tumacácori, Tumacacori Arizona, Tumacacori Mission, San Jose de Tumacacori, Mission San Jose, Arizona Mission, Spanish Mission, Spanish Colonial, Catholic Mission, Father Kino, Eusebio Kino, Arizona History, Arizona Territory, Southern Arizona, Santa Cruz County, Tucson Arizona, Nogales Arizona, National Monument, Tumacacori National Monument, National Historical Park, National Park Service, NPS, Arizona National Park, Mission Architecture, Spanish Colonial Architecture, Southwest History, Southwestern Americana, Arizona Postcard, Arizona RPPC, Real Photo Postcard, RPPC, Historic Church, Catholic History, Vintage Arizona