COCHISE & SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES
Cochise County Offices
1415 Melody Lane
Bisbee 520-432-9200
www.co.cochise.az.us
Santa Cruz County Offices
2150 N. Congress Drive
Nogales 520-375-7820
www.co.santa-cruz.az.us
Chambers of Commerce
Cochise County
31 Subway Street
Bisbee 800-862-5273
www.explorecochise.com
Santa Cruz County
123 W. Kino Park Way
Nogales 520-287-3685
https://www.thenogaleschamber.org
Major Highways
Interstate 10 and 19; Highways 80, 82, 90, 92
Located in the southeastern corner of the state and named for the renowned Apache chief, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties are havens of historic, natural, and geological treasures. Archeological finds date back to 6,000 B.C., while Tombstone—the town too tough to die—is the epitome of the “Old West.” One of the largest western cities in the late 1800s, the small town today boasts such unique attractions as Boot Hill and the OK Corral of Wyatt Earp fame. Bisbee was another famous mining town, home to the Copper Queen Mine.
The smallest of Arizona’s counties, Santa Cruz boasts some of the finest ranches in the nation. Cochise County combines the traditional activities of farming and ranching with tourism, retail trade, services, construction, and the expansive military installation of Fort Huachuca. Specialty crops and livestock including exotic animals still play a major role in the local economy. The close proximity to the border of Mexico adds a colorful flavor to this region, enriching it with cultural diversity, fascinating historic sites, and beautiful old missions.
Services
Although Bisbee serves as the county seat, Sierra Vista is by far the largest city in Cochise County and the hub of commercial, healthcare, and educational resources. Sierra Vista serves as the commercial center of southeastern Arizona, home to a modern mall that combines popular anchor department stores with specialty shops. Rural residents and small communities look to Sierra Vista for retail plazas, dining establishments, and entertainment centers. The Arizona “border town” of Nogales serves as the county seat and business center of Santa Cruz County.
In addition to the network of public schools, the region provides access to the University of Arizona through the South Campus; Cochise Community College; and extensions for the University of Phoenix, Western International University, and Chapman University. Sierra Vista Regional Health Center serves all of southeastern Arizona with a full complement of medical and surgical specialties, outpatient care, and “critical” air service. Other hospitals serving residents of Cochise County are Benson Hospital, the Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee, Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Willcox, and Southeast Arizona Medical Center in Douglas.
Lifestyle
Throughout the region, newcomers will find a diversity of terrain, from volcanic-ash formations and high desert valleys to Bisbee’s lofty elevation. Ghost towns, old mining camps, and hauntingly beautiful missions contrast with friendly small communities. On the edge of the ghost town of Pearce is the growing community of Sunsites, boasting a country club and two golf courses that enjoy vistas of the Dragoon Mountains. Recreation and tourism play major roles in many of the villages and communities, fueled by the region’s pristine environment and international reputation for world-class birding and nature study.
One of the major attractions in Cochise County is the Amerind Foundation, an internationally known archaeological research center and museum focused on the Native American culture of the Southwest and Northern Mexico. The county is steeped in legendary sites like Cochise Stronghold Canyon, a camping and picnicking ground that once served as the hideout of the Apache Indian Chief Cochise and his warriors. Many communities enjoy a high-desert elevation above 4,000 feet, ensuring more comfortable summer days. Everyone from anglers to hunters or photographers and bird-watchers will discover a paradise of opportunity in Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties.
Predicted to become the second most popular attraction in the state after the Grand Canyon, the recently opened Kartchner Caverns near Benson is already listed among the world’s ten top caves. With its colorful communities, a growing list of first-rate amenities, and opportunities for new construction in a land-rich environment, southeastern Arizona is only beginning its upward spiral into a premier location for exciting new growth and development.
Benson
City Hall
520-586-2245
www.cityofbenson.com
Chamber of Commerce
520-586-2842
www.bensonchamberaz.com
Proud of its status as the “Home of Kartchner Caverns State Park,” the Benson community serves as the gateway to historical Highway 80. Interstate 10 conveniently runs through Benson, ensuring a quick 35-minute trip to Tucson’s cosmopolitan amenities. The spirit of the town is embodied in the phrase, “We take pride in being the friendliest little whistle stop in the West.” Those who prefer the serenity and slower pace of a small town appreciate the homespun delights of Benson, including seasonal residents, retirees, and commuters to Tucson and Sierra Vista. Newcomers will find tennis courts, a golf course, parks, an Olympic-size pool, local library, senior center, sports fields, and a museum/gallery.
Bisbee
City Hall
520-432-6000
www.cityofbisbee.com
Chamber of Commerce
520-432-5421
http://www.bisbeeaz.gov
Located 90 miles southeast of Tucson is the picturesque county seat of Cochise County, Bisbee. Once one of the world’s richest mineral sites, this naturally beautiful area in the Mule Mountains claimed the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco in the early 1900s. The culture that grew up beside the ragged edges of the mining community is reflected today in the city’s image as an artist colony and retirement haven filled with wonderful shops and boutiques. Attractions and special events cater to the tourists drawn to the town’s unique charm and uncommon blend of creativity and friendliness. Elegant Victorian and European-style homes climb the hills in restored neighborhoods.
Douglas
City Hall
520-417-7300
www.douglasaz.gov
Chamber of Commerce
520-364-2477
Enjoying an advantageous location near the border between the United States and Mexico, the community of Douglas has developed a strong manufacturing base. Once dependent upon mining and agriculture, the local economy is diversifying and thriving within Cochise County’s Enterprise Zone. As Arizona’s gateway to Mexico, Douglas is filled with history, architecture, minerals, artifacts, and fossils. Nationally recognized as the bird-watchers paradise of the Southwest, the area welcomes vacationers each year hoping to catch rare glimpses of elegant species. The friendly sister city of Agua Prieta, Sonora Mexico, encourages exploration. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the spectacular rock formations of the Chiricahua Mountains or the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge.
Sierra Vista
City Hall
520-458-3315
Chamber of Commerce
520-458-6940
http://sierravistachamber.org
Serving as the regional hub of southeastern Arizona, Sierra Vista is located 70 miles from Tucson. Surrounded by the haunting beauty of the Huachuca, Dragoon, and Mule Mountains, the city is bordered on the east by the San Pedro River. The latter is listed by the Nature Conservancy as one of the 10 Last Great Places. Nearby Fort Huachuca is a major employer for the region, home to major commands that include U.S. Army Information Systems, the Army Intelligence Center and School, and the Electronic Proving Grounds.
The city is home to a community college, a modern mall, shopping plazas, entertainment centers, wonderful recreation facilities, a first-rate library, and a regional healthcare facility. New to the area is a $6.6 million indoor Aquatic Center, joining existing centers for community programs. Activities and special events fill the calendar, drawing together friends, neighbors, and visitors for the Sierra Stampede, the Winter Arts Festival & Arts Discovery Series, Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Arizona Junior Rodeo, Thunder Mountain Marathon, Southwest Wings Birding Festival, Art in the Park, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Business & Services Expo, and the Family Festival.
Patagonia (Sonoita/Elgin)
Patagonia Town Hall
520-394-2229
Sonoita Community Network
www.sonoitaaz.com
Chamber of Commerce
888-794-0060
www.patagoniaaz.com
Nestled in the small expanse of Santa Cruz County is the city of Patagonia and the unincorporated communities of Sonoita and Elgin. This expanse of open spaces and grassy hills combines with oak-clad hills and tree-lined canyons that enjoy more rainfall than lower desert valleys. In spite of recent growth and development, Sonoita still claims some of the world’s finest ranches. Nearby Elgin features vineyards and wineries, while Patagonia — dubbed the “Jewel of the Sonoita Valley” — lies nestled between the majestic Santa Rita Mountains and the stunning red Patagonia Mountains.
Wonderful residential communities and subdivisions are springing up along the Interstate 19 corridor between Tucson and these rural communities. Naturalists, retirees, artists, families, and entrepreneurs share the rich legacy of earth and sky in a natural paradise. Biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, water-skiing, birdwatching, and boating are just a few of the popular activities available close to home. The historic Arizona Trail runs through Patagonia, carving scenic hiking paths into the Santa Rita Mountains. The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is an extraordinary attraction for hikers and birders, while Patagonia Lake State Park is nearby.
