Padre Francisco Tomás Garcés (April 12, 1738 - July 18, 1781), a Spanish Franciscan priest, was a missionary who explored much of the southwestern part of North America, including what is now Arizona and southern California. Father Garcés met with, and studied several Indian tribes in the area. April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... Events February 4 - Court Jew Joseph Suss Oppenheimer is executed in Württenberg April 15 - Premiere in London of Serse, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ... State nickname: The Grand Canyon State, The Copper State Other U.S. States Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Governor Janet Napolitano (D) Senators John McCain (R) Jon Kyl (R) Official language(s) English Area 295,254 km² (6th)  - Land 294,312 km²  - Water 942 km² (0. ... State nickname: The Golden State Official languages English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles [[List of Governors of {{{Name}}}|Governor]] Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) [[List of United States Senators from {{{Name}}}|Senators]] Dianne Feinstein (D) Barbara Boxer (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 4. ...

He was eventually killed in an uprising by the Yuma Indians at the newly established mission of La Purisima Concepcion, and later re-interred at San Pedro de Tubutama. The Quechan are a Native American tribe who live on the Fort Yuma Reservation on the lower Colorado River in Arizona just north of the border with Mexico. ... Another mission bearing the name La Purísima Concepción is the Misión La Purísima Concepción de Cadegomó in Baja California Sur. ...

A statue of Father Garces can today be seen at the Traffic Circle on Chester Ave., Bakersfield. Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, California, in the United States. ...