As a part of Southern Arizona, Mescal has a rich and complex history shaped by Indigenous civilizations, European explorers, missionaries, and settlers. From the early Native American inhabitants to the arrival of the railroad, this region has been a crossroads of cultures, trade, and expansion.
Native American Foundations
Long before European contact, the land that is now southern Arizona was home to thriving Indigenous peoples. The Hohokam civilization, which flourished between 300 and 1500 AD, built an extensive system of canals for irrigation, enabling agriculture in the desert. They mysteriously disappeared, but their descendants, the O’odham peoples (including the Tohono O’odham and Akimel O’odham), continued to inhabit the region. The Apache, a nomadic group, also lived in the area, developing a reputation as fierce warriors skilled in survival. East of Mescal, the Sobaipuri found the San Pedro River as a source of water for agriculture and sustenance. These tribes shaped the landscape through trade, farming, and cultural traditions that persist today.
Marcos de Niza and Early Spanish Influence (1539)
In 1539, the Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza ventured through southern Arizona as part of Spain’s early reconnaissance of the Southwest. He claimed to have seen the golden city of Cíbola, which later led to Coronado’s journey. Though his reports were likely exaggerated, de Niza’s exploration was significant in bringing European attention to the region.
The Coronado Expedition (1540-1542)
The first major European incursion into southern Arizona occurred with the Francisco Vázquez de Coronado expedition in 1540. Searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, Coronado led an expedition northward from Mexico, passing through Arizona. Though he found no riches, his journey marked the beginning of Spanish exploration in the region. His encounters with Native tribes set the stage for future interactions—some peaceful, others marked by conflict.
Father Kino and Spanish Missionary Efforts (1687-1700)
In the late 1600s, another figure left a lasting impact on southern Arizona: Father Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit missionary. Kino arrived in the area in 1687 and established a network of missions, including Mission San Xavier del Bac near present-day Tucson. He introduced European agriculture, livestock, and Christianity to the Indigenous peoples, forming a lasting relationship with the O’odham. Unlike many Spanish missionaries, Kino generally maintained peaceful relations with the local tribes and promoted economic self-sufficiency through farming and ranching.
As the Americas grew from the work of the Jesuits, King Charles III of Spain began a growing distrust of them. In 1767 he banned them from all Spanish colonies in the Americas and installed the Franciscans as replacements.
The Spanish Presidios and Colonial Expansion (1700s through 1800s)
As Spanish influence grew, the need for military protection arose. In the 1700s, Presidios protected the reigion.
The three presidios of southern Arizona—Tubac, Tucson, and Terrenate—were Spanish colonial military outposts established in the 18th century to protect settlers, missionaries, and trade routes from Apache raids and other threats.
Presidio of Tubac (est. 1752) – Founded as the first European settlement in what is now Arizona, Tubac served as a Spanish frontier garrison to guard settlers and missions. It played a key role in early exploration and colonization, but Apache attacks forced its relocation to Tucson in 1776.
Presidio of Tucson (est. 1775) – Established by Spanish forces under Captain Hugo O'Conor, this presidio became a crucial defensive stronghold and later evolved into the modern city of Tucson. It remained a center of Spanish, then Mexican, and eventually American control.
Presidio of Terrenate (est. 1775) – Located near modern-day Sierra Vista, Terrenate was built to protect mining interests and settlers but faced relentless Apache attacks. Due to its remote and dangerous location, it was abandoned by 1780.
These presidios were vital in Spain’s effort to control and colonize the Southwest, leaving a lasting impact on Arizona’s history.
Mexican Independence (1821)
Mexican Independence from the Spanish Empire was achieved on September 27, 1821, after more than a decade of struggle. The movement began on September 16, 1810, with Miguel Hidalgo's famous Grito de Dolores, calling for rebellion against Spanish rule. The war saw shifting leadership, including figures like José María Morelos and Vicente Guerrero. Eventually, Agustín de Iturbide and Guerrero united forces under the Plan of Iguala, leading to the successful ousting of Spanish control. Mexico's independence marked the end of over 300 years of colonial rule, shaping the nation's path toward sovereignty and self-governance. After years of Spanish control, the region now belonged to Mexico.
Gadsden Purchase (1854)
The Gadsden Purchase was an 1854 agreement between the United States and Mexico, in which the U.S. bought 29,670 square miles of land in present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico for $10 million. Negotiated by James Gadsden, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, the deal aimed to facilitate the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad and resolve lingering border disputes following the Mexican-American War. The purchase finalized the continental U.S. borders and reinforced American expansion in the Southwest. Mescal was now under control of the United States and a southern transcontinental route was now possible.
Butterfield Overland Mail Trail (1858)
The Butterfield Overland Mail Trail entered present-day Arizona in 1858 as part of a stagecoach route that connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California. This route was crucial for mail and passenger transport across the rugged southwestern frontier. It crossed Arizona’s harsh deserts, passing through key waystations like Dragoon Springs, Apache Pass, and Tucson, providing vital communication between the East and West before the Civil War. Mescal was on the link between San Pedro and Tucson. Though short-lived, the trail played a significant role in the expansion of transportation and settlement in the Arizona Territory.
The trail route passed through modern Mescal approximately halfway between Interstate 10 and the Southern Pacific Railroad.1.
Southern Pacific Railroad (1880)
The Southern Pacific Railway played a crucial role in the development of Mescal. The railway reached the area in 1880 as part of its expansion across the Southwest, connecting California to Texas and beyond. Mescal became a key stop for refueling and maintenance, supporting local ranching and mining operations. In 1913 a post office was established and the community continued to grow to service the operations of the railroad. However, when the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad was abandoned, the area lost prominence and in 1931 the post office was closed. Mescal remained a stop for railroad operations and refueling and local ranching. Nearby Benson grew as a hub for the region.
Mescal Movie Set (1960s)
When Old Tucson Studios continued to support old westerns, they began to look for another location for filming. The Mescal Movie Set was built on a location chosen for its elevation over the region providing expansive views. The set became a popular location for filmmakers seeking an authentic Western feel. Iconic productions such as Tombstone (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), and Monte Walsh (1970) were filmed there. As Old Tucson shifted to a more tourist-oriented focus, Mescal remained a dedicated working film set. There are more movies filmed in Mescal than originally understood. While the film credits show Old Tucson Studios as the location, the true location was the Mescal Movie Set. The Mescal Movie Set is continuing to review old movies to determine which were filmed at the Mescal location.
New Communities (1970-1973)
With the establishment of an interchange along I-10 at Mescal Road, the region was ripe for development into subdivisions. In 1970, the area south of I-10 was platted as the J-Six Ranchettes. The area north of I-10 was platted as Mescal Lakes in 1971-1973. As people purchased lots and built homes the region has continue to grow and has added dining and retail and still continues to see visitors to the Mescal Movie Set.
1. Butterfield Route Image by Gerald T. Ahnert, Dragoon Springs Station map, CC BY-SA 4.0
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