Watkins traveled to Arizona in 1880 and spent a week in Tucson. This trip must have been very difficult for him, since the climate was exceedingly hot and dry. This made it even more challenging for him to work with his photographic chemicals. However, many of his best Arizona views are of this San Xavier Mission. He took seven views of this church. In this particular composition, Watkins is able to show us just how grand and imposing the San Xavier Mission is.

Today, this mission is being restored and they are relying on Watkins’ photographs to aid in the restoration.