Escapees January-February 2024

skpstops

Buffalo Soldiers and Camp Harry J. Jones. Camp Harry J. Jones was established in 1911 to deal with border troubles during the Mexican Revolution and remained an essential part of the area for over 20 years. Hotel Gadsden, the Southern Paci fi c Railroad Depot, the Grand Theatre, Church Square (the only location in the world where four different churches are on the same block), and the fi rst international airport in the US are all here. When Bisbee’s copper mining operations were developing, the company needed an area for a reduction works facility. Developers quickly took steps to establish a city, installing electricity and phone lines and other basic needs for the rapidly growing city. The city was thriving, and Douglas became a gather ing place for the people who worked the copper smelt ers, and farmed and ranched in the valley. At one time, Douglas was home to more than 13 movie theaters. The most famous, and the only one remaining today, is the Grand Theater. The Beaux Arts style building was considered one of the most premier entertainment venues in the Southwest and played host to vaudeville performers and other entertainment legends in its heyday. It is currently under renovation. The in fl uence of copper mining was signi fi cant for decades until the smelter ceased operations in 1987. Gadsden Hotel is worth the drive alone. The hotel opened in 1907. The stately fi ve-story, 160-room hotel became a home away from home for cattlemen, ranch ers, miners and business people. The hotel was rebuilt in 1929 after a fi re destroyed the original. Architect Henry Trost designed a spacious main lobby with a majestic white Italian marble staircase and four soaring marble columns. A stained-glass window mural of the Southwest Desert by fi fth-generation artisan Ralph Baker, who studied under Louis Comfort Tiffany, extends 42 feet across one wall of the massive mezzanine. The hotel’s vaulted stained-glass skylights run the entire length of the lobby. Nestled against the Mexico border, Douglas also offers easy access to authentic Mexican shopping and dining in its sister city of Agua Prieta. The entire route from Benson to Douglas is only 75-miles long. I took the better part of three days to explore the area. There is so much to see, do, learn and experience. For more information: www.cityofbenson.com https://discovertombstone.com www.discoverbisbee.com http://douglasaz.gov Marilyn Jones, Guest Contributor

Tours areo ff ered in the Goodenough Silver Mine.

Gallery of Dreams art studio in St. David.

27

January/February 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine