Had Italian-born Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino not made his way through this area (then a part of New Spain) in the late 1600s, there's a good chance Tucson might not be what it is today. Kino established 24 missions throughout the Southwest, including San Xavier and San Cosme y Damián, which would later become the presidio for the city of Tucson. 

You can find a statue of this legend of a man on East 15th Street, just off of (surprise!) South Kino Parkway. Swing by during the holidays and catch his horse wearing santa claus hats on his ears.