Willcox

Description

Founded in 1880, Willcox became a major supply center for the military posts, the booming mining towns, and the huge cattle ranches in the surrounding area. Willcox is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges that are just a short trip, and yet a world away, from Tucson. Many historic buildings have been preserved and are now museums and stores, including the original Southern Pacific train depot and the oldest store in Arizona to remain in its original building. The high desert country of Sulphur Springs Valley attracts thousands of rare Sandhill Cranes, which draws birders to the Wings Over Willcox event every January. October brings the annual Rex Allen Days that honor one of Willcox’s native sons and last of the silver-screen cowboys. The Old West still lives here through tales of Apache Indians, train robberies, and shootings-Warren Earp was killed at Willcox’s Headquarters Saloon. Perhaps the area is most known, though, for its friendliness and Western hospitality. Title: Preserving history
Author: JP Thomason Jr.
Publisher: Willcox Range News
Date: 10/28/09
Not knowing the content specifics, I ordered copies for two of my relatives and my best friend, all of whom grew up in Willcox. My sister and I were delighted to see our father on page 88 along with other familiar faces from Elks Lodge 2131.
The connections are amazing. Our Aunt Mary Lou Harris and Blanche Wootan are pictured on page 75. Mary Lou married Gerald Wootan and his sister Blanche married Delle Farris pictured on page 76.
Willcox may be the only town in Arizona named after a Medal of Honor recipient: Major General Orlando B. Willcox pictured on page 10.
Thanks and congratulations again to Ms. Klump, Ms. Tenney the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society and acknowledged contributors listed on page 6. Good job!

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