An ancient set of Indian paths and the natural flow of the Gila River created a major artery for travel through pioneer Arizona. The Gila provided a ready route for the earliest traders, including Toltecs of Mexico, who traded with the Mogollon, Anasazi, and Hohokam.

 

The intrepid Padre Francisco Garces performed missionary work during his excursions along the trail, while Bautista de Anza and Marcos de Niza also passed by. Various U.S. survey expeditions, seekers of the California gold fields, and immigrants—such as the ill-fated Oatman family—joined the list.

 

The journals, stories, songs, and art that came from these travels is rich and revealing of our state’s pioneers.