Life in the Old Pueblo: Kino helped shape region's economy, ranching lifestyle

Nearly 300 years after his death, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino's impact on Arizona has not been forgotten. In addition to founding almost two dozen missions and converting thousands of Native Americans to Christianity, Kino brought about major changes in area's lifestyle and economics. Kino was born in 1645 with the last name of Chini in what is now northern Italy but was then part of the Austrian Empire. After a serious illness, Kino joined the Society of Jesus, hoping to become a missionary in China. While waiting for his assignment, the young Jesuit taught mathematics at the University of Ingolstadt, where he became an expert in astronomy and map making. Kino first arrived in northern Sonora in 1687 and made his first visit to what is now Arizona in 1691, stopping near what is now Tumacacori. In addition to religion, Kino brought metal tools and European fruits and grains to Arizona, including citrus trees and wheat. The latter was valuable because it resisted the cold and could be harvested late in the year when native corn, beans and squash were not available. The winter food supply was no longer quite so sparse. But most important of all, the Jesuit from Segno became one of the first and largest cattle ranchers in northern Mexico and southern Arizona. He also trained dozens of Native Americans to become the first cowboys in the area. As early as 1692, Kino's cowboys drove more than 1,500 head of cattle to San Xavier del Bac. More than likely, their descendants are still ranching in the same area today...more