The Amazing History Of Douglas, Arizona

Located just north of the Arizona/Mexico border lies a small town by the name of Douglas. Nestled in Cochise County, the city is neighbored by legendary towns like Tombstone and Bisbee.

While Douglas may not be a massive hippie tourist trap or legendary gunfighter haven with dozens of movies, TV shows, and video games, it has an incredibly rich history in the new frontier.

Early Douglas History

Douglas' history starts long before American history. The earliest known discovery of the area came in the early 1500s, when Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer, attempted to chart a course from Mexico between 1535 and 1536.

During the 1700s, it became part of Nueva España, hosting the San Bernardino Presidio, which is now the famous San Bernardino Ranch and Wildlife Refuge. As the years went on, the U.S. Cavalry intervened, looking for the legendary Geronimo and his Apaches. Eventually, the turn of the century brought new life to the Southwest, and Douglas began to flourish under industrialization.

Want to Know More About Geronimo? Check Out Where He and His Apaches Were Located in the Chiricahua Mountains

Get our free mobile app

Douglas' Official Beginnings

Up until the early 1900s, Douglas was not Douglas, rather, a patch of land above the newly formed border with various settlements. Once Bisbee's copper mining took off, a place was needed to for a reduction works facility.

In order to bring in new work, a city was quickly developed with phone lines, electricity, and any modern amenities a growing city could need. The smelting industry reigned supreme in Douglas until 1987, when they ceased operations, and the city's iconic smokestacks were taken down.

Now, Douglas remains as a remnant of an easier time, much like the rest of Cochise County. Its history is not forgotten, and its people have continued to keep its legacy alive through museums, historic downtowns, and the charm that brought pioneers in droves.