The history of the region dates back to the culture of the Apache, Yaqui and Hohokam peoples who built their communities along the Santa Cruz River, Sonoita Creek and Harshaw Creek, whose waters flowed year round and provided ideal sites for agriculture and ranching. In 1539 the Spanish explorer and Franciscan monk, Fray Macros de Niza, was the first European to visit the area, entering near present-day Lochiel on the Mexican border. Coronado¿s expedition also entered the region in the 16th century in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. Nearly a century and half later in the late 1600¿s, the Spanish sent the Jesuit priest Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino to the region to establish missions and map the territory for Spain. For the next two decades this extraordinary man, known as a humanitarian, farmer, cattle rancher, explorer. Mathematician, cartographer and geographer, traveled through Southern Arizona spreading the Catholic faith and teaching the people how to farm. In 1752, after the uprising of the Pima Indians, the Spanish Crown established New Spain¿s northern most outpost and Europe¿s first settlement in what is now Tubac, Arizona. Shortly thereafter, soldier and explorer Juan Bautista de Anza along with 240 settlers traveled through Presidio de Tubac (1760-1776). Anza built the chapel of Santa Gertrudis, the foundations of which lie beneath today¿s Saint Ann¿s church in Tubac, Arizona. Gradually the vast Spanish land grants that had been established were broken up as settlers from the East moved west to homestead and ranch. By 1853, the Gadsden Purchase formed the southeastern corner of Arizona. Then Mexico, making it part of the United States. Santa Cruz County. Created in 1899 by Arizona¿s 20 Th. Territorial Assembly, is named after the Santa Cruz River which was named in the late 1600¿s by Father Kino, Santa Cruz means ¿holy cross¿ in Spanish.

Serving Green Valley, Amado, Tubac, Tumacocori, Rio Rico, Nogales, Patagonia and Sonoita Arizona. My name is Gary Elliott, I'm am The Santa Cruz County, REALTOR and I anxiously await the opportunity to serve you and your family! Representing HomeLand Security Agents for more than twenty years.  There is more about me in my introduction below.

Thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration!Member of the Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce! 1-800-427-3704