St. Michael's Mission
N of Window Rock off AZ 264, Window Rock, AZThe St. Michael's Mission, established in 1898, was the first permanent Catholic Mission to the Navajo.
During the Spanish period, the Navajo were never brought under the mission system nor were they subjugated by the military. They did, however, readily incorporate sheep and horses into their culture and eventually became a wide-ranging, nomadic people who regarded raiding as an important part of their lives.
Depredations reached a peak in the first years of the American Civil War when the federal troops were withdrawn but in 1863 a vigorous campaign under Kit Carson forced most of the Navajo into. temporary captivity. On their return they scattered into the remote areas of their reservation, avoiding contact with Anglos and resisting Anglo education. The mission at St. Michael's contributed somewhat to the gradual breakdown of that resistance. The Franciscan Mission of St. Michael was the first permanent Catholic mission to the Navajo. The first mass in the chapel was said in October 1898. The following spring a log cabin was converted into a boarding school with two boy students. Through the years additional land was acquired, and an attempt was made to train Indians in farming and irrigation.
In 1902 a school was opened for 56 students. This ended the first phase of the mission. The second phase was planned as a period in which satellite missions would be established in areas where irrigated agriculture was possible. The original mission and school continued to grow and prosper.
The historical importance of St. Michael's to the Navajo people lies primarily in the numerous publications in and about the Navajo language and in the assistance rendered to the tribe in its successful attempts to acquire more land. Most active in these matters were Father Anselm Weber and Father Berard Haile. The Navajo dictionaries and grammars written by the missionaries were a notable contribution to scholarship.
Local significance of the building:
During the Spanish period, the Navajo were never brought under the mission system nor were they subjugated by the military. They did, however, readily incorporate sheep and horses into their culture and eventually became a wide-ranging, nomadic people who regarded raiding as an important part of their lives.
Depredations reached a peak in the first years of the American Civil War when the federal troops were withdrawn but in 1863 a vigorous campaign under Kit Carson forced most of the Navajo into. temporary captivity. On their return they scattered into the remote areas of their reservation, avoiding contact with Anglos and resisting Anglo education. The mission at St. Michael's contributed somewhat to the gradual breakdown of that resistance. The Franciscan Mission of St. Michael was the first permanent Catholic mission to the Navajo. The first mass in the chapel was said in October 1898. The following spring a log cabin was converted into a boarding school with two boy students. Through the years additional land was acquired, and an attempt was made to train Indians in farming and irrigation.
In 1902 a school was opened for 56 students. This ended the first phase of the mission. The second phase was planned as a period in which satellite missions would be established in areas where irrigated agriculture was possible. The original mission and school continued to grow and prosper.
The historical importance of St. Michael's to the Navajo people lies primarily in the numerous publications in and about the Navajo language and in the assistance rendered to the tribe in its successful attempts to acquire more land. Most active in these matters were Father Anselm Weber and Father Berard Haile. The Navajo dictionaries and grammars written by the missionaries were a notable contribution to scholarship.
Religion; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first documented European exploration of Arizona was in 1539: Spanish explorer Marcos de Niza became the first European to explore what is now Arizona in 1539. He claimed the area for Spain and named it "Arizona" after a Native American word meaning "silver-bearing."
About Apache County
Apache County Timeline
Apache County, located in northeastern Arizona, has a rich and colorful history that spans thousands of years. The area was historically home to various Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Apache, Zuni, and Hopi peoples. These tribes thrived in the region, adapting to the challenging desert environment and establishing trading networks with nearby tribes.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
Apache County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Apache County, Arizona.
- 1879 - Apache County is established on February 24, 1879, as one of the original four counties of the Arizona Territory.
- 1880 - The county seat is designated as St. Johns, which becomes the oldest continuously inhabited community in Arizona.
- 1881 - The town of Holbrook is founded and quickly becomes a hub for the region's livestock industry.
- 1882 - The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad completes a line through Winslow, bringing increased transportation and economic opportunities to the area.
- 1889 - The famous Pleasant Valley War, a deadly feud between cattlemen, reaches its peak in Apache County.
- 1931 - The iconic Petrified Forest National Monument is established within the county's boundaries, preserving unique geological formations and fossilized trees.
- 1964 - The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is established, providing recreational opportunities and protecting important wildlife habitats.
- 1986 - Apache County experiences a major economic boom when the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, begins operations.
- 2005 - The Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is established, featuring scenic attractions such as the spectacular Antelope Canyon.