Father Eusebio Francisco Kino.
Eusebio Francisco Kino, a Jesuit priest, missionary, explorer, map-maker, mathematician, and astronomer, founded many missions and explored areas in southwestern North America, including northern Sonora, Mexico, southern California, and southern Arizona.
Kino was born in Tirol, Italy, educated at the Jesuit college in Trent, and then attended the Jesuit college in Hall near Innsbruck, Austria. He joined the Society of Jesus on November 20, 1665, after an illness that nearly claimed his life. He also attended the Universities of Landsberg, Ingolstadt, Innsbruck, Munich, and Oettingen. In 1665, Kino became a Jesuit priest. In 1681, he sailed from Spain as a missionary to Mexico and, on October 28, 1682, was appointed missionary and royal cosmographer for the California Expedition. He arrived in Baja California on April 4, 1683. On the second expedition to California on October 6, 1683, he built a mission and established a fort at San Bruno near Loreto. On August 15, 1684, he took his final vows as a member of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. He was appointed missionary to the Seri and Guaymas Indians on November 20, 1685.
Tumacacori Mission South of Tucson, Arizona, by Carol Highsmith.
In March 1687, he established his first Jesuit mission in Sonora, Mexico. In 1691, he embarked on more than 40 expeditions to explore southern Arizona, traveling along the Rio Grande, Colorado, and Gila Rivers. Over 24 years, he established 24 missions and laid the foundation for modern agriculture and livestock raising. He promoted apprenticeships in artisan and related trades. He traveled and explored extensively: Tumacácori -1691; Altar River – 1692; Gila River to Casa Grande – 1695; Baja California – 1697; Santa MarÃa and San Pedro Rivers – 1698; the Gulf of California from the North, Colorado River – 1700; repeat trip and crosses the Colorado River on a raft – 1701; repeat trip and proof that California is not an island – 1702; Guaymas – 1704; Tiburon Island – 1706; Pinacate and Santa Clara – 1706.
He died shortly after midnight on March 15, 1711, in Magdalena, Mexico. He wrote many books about his explorations.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated October 2026.
Also See:
Discovery and Exploration of America
See Sources.