List of historic properties in Nogales, Arizona

Last updated

List of historic properties
in Nogales, Arizona
Nogales-Church-Sacred Heart Church-1897-3-Bell-1910.jpg
1910 Sacred Heart Church Bell
AZMap-doton-Nogales.png
Location of Nogales in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

This is a list which includes a photographic gallery, of some of the structures of historic significance in Nogales, Arizona. Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona which lies on the border of Mexico and is separated from the town of Nogales, Sonora in Mexico by a 20-foot-high row of steel beams, also known simply as the "Wall". Nicknamed the "Gateway to Mexico" the two cities share a rich history that dates back thousands of years ago when ancient native people's trade routes went through the combined area.

Contents

Brief history

The area where Nogales is located was inhabited by the Anasazi, an early Native-American tribe. The waters provided by the Santa Cruz River, Sonoita Creek and Harshaw Creek were ideal for fishing. The land was also ideal for agriculture and ranching. Ruins of the ancient settlements and petroglyphs of the Anasazi have been found by archaeologists. [1] [2] [3] The region was later inhabited by the Hohokam, Apache and Yaqui tribes who built their communities along the river and creeks. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

In 1539, Spanish explorer Fray Marcos de Niza entered the area near Lochiel on the Mexican border. [9] He continued on his journey to Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico also known as the Seven Cities of Cibola. Marcos de Niza is credited with being the first European in what is now the State of Arizona. The prehistoric migratory route used by the ancient Indians was later named "El Camino Real" which is Spanish for "The King's Highway". [10] The main Native-American tribes in the area at that time were the Sobaipuri and Papago tribes. [11] [1] [2] [3]

In 1692, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino came to the area as a missionary. His main objective was to convert the natives to Catholicism. The area became part of his "La Mission en Guevavi". For the next two decades, he traveled through Southern Arizona spreading the Catholic faith and teaching the native people how to farm. Groves of walnut trees at one time covered the mountain pass that bridged the areas where the present-day Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico are located. The name of Nogales means "black walnut" in Spanish. [11] [1] [2] [3]

The mission period was ended in 1768 by a decree of Charles III of Spain. [12] In 1821, the Mexican War of Independence between Mexico and Spain came to an end and the territory of New Spain, which included Arizona, was ceded to Mexico. [13] [14] [15] [11] [1] [2] [3]

American settlers

Francisco "Pancho" Villa Pancho villa horseback.jpg
Francisco "Pancho" Villa

In 1854, the United States purchased the region from Mexico in what is known as the Gadsden Purchase. Anglo-Americans of European descent from the East Coast of the United States began to arrive in the area. The vast Spanish land grants that had been established were broken up as settlers from the east moved west to homestead and ranch. The new settlers were protected from the constant attacks of the Apaches by the United States Military. However, The majority of the troops were withdrawn from the area upon the outbreak of the American Civil War. Fort Buchanan, which was actually a small garrison established in 1856 near Sonoita, was overrun by the Apaches. [16] Thus, the miners, ranchers and farmers in the region were without protection from the Apaches and many of them moved to other areas. The Civil War between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) ended in 1865. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [11] [1] [2] [3]

In 1867, the United States Army established a military post called Camp Crittenden close to Sonoita. The camp, which later was renamed Fort Crittenden, was involved in a campaign against the Apache with the intention of protecting the American pioneers in the area. [17] The miners, ranchers and farmers returned to the area once more. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [11] [1] [2] [3]

The border "Wall"

American and Mexican soldiers guarding International Street in Ambos Nogales. The obelisk in the center is a border marker, which still stands. Nogales Arizona 1910-1920.jpg
American and Mexican soldiers guarding International Street in Ambos Nogales. The obelisk in the center is a border marker, which still stands.
The Border Wall in Nogales, Az. during the night Nogales-Trumps Wall.jpg
The Border Wall in Nogales, Az. during the night

Tensions along the border started to rise with the Mexican Revolution which began in 1910. However, the Nogales area within the United States border had a military garrison of ten thousand men made up mostly of African-Americans soldiers from the 25th Regiment. The military buildup and related business growth attracted many businesses to Nogales, some of which remain today. In 1913, there was a violent battle between the Mexican Forces and Pancho Villa and his men in Nogales, Sonora. Villa and his men were victorious and occupied the area. In 1915 a second battle took place, this time Villa's men fired across the border line into the United States. U.S. cavalrymen crossed the border into Mexican territory and engaged Villa's troops. [18]

Another situation which caused tensions to rise between the U. S. and Mexico was that Germany began to encourage Mexico to declare war on the United States and take back its former territories during World War I. Thus, the United States kept a keen observation on the border to make sure that smugglers would not supply Mexico with guns and that refugees fleeing to the United States did not belong to an international espionage team backed by the Germans. [18]

The first border fence between the two nations was built between 1909 and 1911. They were actually a barbed wire fence installed by the U.S. government on the border to prevent cattle from wandering between the countries. Felix B. Peñaloza, the "Presidente Municipal" (which in Mexico is the term used for the word Mayor) of Nogales, Mexico, ordered construction of a fence running along the boundary line between his city and Nogales, Arizona. The fence in Nogales was built by Mexican workers. A metal obelisk marked the international border in both Nogales. American and Mexican sentries patrolled the line.

A firefight broke out between the American and Mexican sides of the fence when on August 27, 1918, an unidentified man tried to cross over to the Mexican side and refused to halt when ordered by a U.S. customs inspector. Both sides began to shoot at each other and at the end of the incident, which is known as the Battle of Ambos Nogales, 12 Mexicans and Americans were killed, including Mayor Peñaloza. Today, the fence is now a 20-foot-high row of steel beams, recently reinforced with razor wire. [18] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Pimeria Alta Historical Society and Museum

According to the website of the Pimeria Alta Historical Society and Museum, Housed in the Old Nogales City Hall, constructed in 1914, the museum provides information on the history of the Pimeria Alta and welcomes visitors to the border area. The society was formed in 1948, when a group of 28 concerned citizens got together to preserve the rich and exciting history of the area. [19] The city of Nogales, Arizona was incorporated in 1893.

The fact that a property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places does not mean that the property is safe from being demolished by its owner. According to Jim McPherson, Arizona Preservation Foundation Board President:

"It is crucial that residents, private interests, and government officials act now to save these elements of our cultural heritage before it is too late." [20]

The city has three historic districts and various individual properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places

Properties pictured

Districts

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation: "a local historic district is an entire area or group of historic structures deemed significant to the city's cultural fabric that are protected by public review. This can include downtown commercial areas, main streets, waterfront districts, and residential districts." [21] The following Districts are pictured and/or have images related to them: [22] [23]

Buildings

Hotel Blanca (1917) Nogales-Building-Hotel Blanca-1917.jpg
Hotel Blanca (1917)
Building on 465 Walnut Street (1900) Nogales-Building-Building on 465 Walnut Street-1900.jpg
Building on 465 Walnut Street (1900)
Theodore Gebler Memorial Building (1930) Nogales-Building-Theodore Gebler Memorial Building-1930-2.jpg
Theodore Gebler Memorial Building (1930)

The following is a brief description of some of the pictured buildings which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. [22] [23]

Historic houses

The houses in Nogales of historical significance which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and which are pictured are the following: [22]

Educational institutions

Educational institutions in Nogales of historical significance. [22]

Houses of religious worship

Others

Other places of historical significance include:

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Cruz County, Arizona</span> County in Arizona, United States

Santa Cruz is a county in southern Arizona, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population is 47,669. The county seat is Nogales. The county was established in 1899. It borders Pima County to the north and west, Cochise County to the east, and the Mexican state of Sonora to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nogales, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Nogales is a city in and the county seat of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The population was 20,837 at the 2010 census and estimated 20,103 in 2019. Nogales forms part of the larger Tucson–Nogales combined statistical area, with a total population of 1,027,683 as of the 2010 Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumacácori National Historical Park</span> National Historical Park in Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Tumacácori National Historical Park is located in the upper Santa Cruz River Valley in Santa Cruz County, southern Arizona. The park consists of 360 acres (1.5 km2) in three separate units. The park protects the ruins of three Spanish mission communities, two of which are National Historic Landmark sites. It also contains the landmark 1937 Tumacácori Museum building, also a National Historic Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mission Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi</span> Historic mission ruins in Arizona

La Misión de San Gabriel de Guevavi was founded by Jesuit missionary priests Eusebio Kino and Juan María de Salvatierra in 1691. Subsequent missionaries called it San Rafael and San Miguel, resulting in the common historical name of Mission Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mission San Cayetano de Calabazas</span> Historic mission ruins in Arizona

Mission San Cayetano de Calabazas, also known as Calabasas, is a Spanish Mission in the Sonoran Desert, located near present-day Tumacacori, Arizona, United States.

Mediterranean Style House may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office and Immigration Station – Nogales Main</span> NRHP-listed building in Santa Cruz County, Arizona

The U.S. Post Office and Immigration Station – Nogales Main is a historic building in Nogales, Arizona, built in 1923. It is located one block east of Nogales' main commercial street, Morely Avenue, and one block from the Santa Cruz County Courthouse. It was listed for its architecture in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Also known as Nogales Main Post Office and Immigration Station, it served historically as a post office and as a government office building.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Town of Patagonia
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Western Mining History
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Area History
  4. 1 2 3 4 City of Nogales
  5. 1 2 3 4 History of the Santa Cruz County
  6. 1 2 3 4 Nogales Arizona, A Gateway To Old Mexico
  7. 1 2 3 4 "An International Tale of Two Cities : Separated by a Border, They Are United by History". Los Angeles Times . 1986-02-09. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Smithsonian Magazine
  9. "Marcos de Niza | Spanish explorer | Britannica".
  10. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Marcos de Niza". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 History
  12. Benson History
  13. Mine Tales: Smelter in Benson operated until 1914
  14. Desert USA
  15. Benson Historic Barrio, Cochise County, Arizona
  16. Forts
  17. Arizona Forts of the American West
  18. 1 2 3 "Pancho Villa, prostitutes and spies: The U.S.-Mexico border wall's wild origins". The Washington Post . 2019-01-10. Archived from the original on 2023-06-28.
  19. Pimeria Alta Historical Society and Museum
  20. "Arizona Preservation Foundation". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
  21. 10 Steps to Establish a Local Historic District
  22. 1 2 3 4 NRHPSCC
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Descriptions of Important Historic Sited – Archaeology Southwest
  24. Jim Woodward (July 1984). "Arizona State Historic Property Inventory: S.H. Kress & Co. Building" (PDF). National Park Service . Retrieved 2015-01-20. photo
  25. MPS: U.S. Border Inspection Stations, States Bordering Canada and Mexico
  26. Nogales Notables
  27. Nogales International
  28. Wilson, Marjorie (November 27, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Pete Kitchen Ranch". National Park Service. Retrieved 25 June 2015.