Tumacacori, Arizona

Tumacacori, Arizona is the “town” that’s too tough to pronounce. (Actually, it’s neither a town nor tough to pronounce if you do it slowly and phonetically — Too-mah-kah-core-ee.) It’s the site of a Franciscan mission built in 1795 that was regularly besieged by the Apache Indians. The ruins that are visible today include a chapel and graveyard. Visitors can also walk through an elaborate church built in 1822. The site has been converted into a National Historic Park with a visitor center where you can learn all about the mission. This is a very picturesque and tranquil spot with lots of mesquite trees and a half-mile trail. On weekends, there’s often a craft demonstration.

Across the street is the Santa Cruz Chili and Spice Company where you’ll find spices, herbs, salsas and cookbooks plus a Western museum. Since 1943 with the first harvest of the special and distinctive chilies that grow in this rich river valley, from which they take their name, they have produced unique chili products. The processing plant is right in the middle of one of the best chili growing areas in the world.

But it is the Santa Cruz Chili Paste for which they are deservedly most famous. Chili Paste was first invented by Gene England as he searched to capture the flavor of fresh chilies and create a versatile cooking ingredient for traditional Mexican recipes. It was an instant hit! Everyone from mothers to grandmothers to professional chefs proclaimed it the perfect beginning to great Mexican food.

If Greek sounds good, then you’ve got to try the Tumacacori Mission Restaurant, located across from the National Park. Just to the north of the park is the Wisdom Cafe, which offers Mexican fare. The Café is in the hands of a 3rd generation Wisdom, and now with the birth of a granddaughter, there are now 4 generations of Wisdoms in the business.

Enjoy a stay in this area for a weekend full of history, hiking along the river, birdwatching and shopping.