Cochise County

Past

About Cochise County

Cochise County is located in the Southeast Corner of the State of Arizona and the county seat is Bisbee. Approximately 6,215 square miles. Population is 123,750 County wide (as of July, 1998). Estimated labor force is 39,262. This area of southeastern Arizona is considered to be high desert grasslands with elevations from 3500' to 6000'. Several mountain ranges run through the county with the highest peak in the Chiricahua Mountains at an elevation of 9,796. Southeast Arizona is at an ecological crossroads, where habitats and species from the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts all can be found. The abrupt rise of mountains like the Huachucas from the surrounding and grasslands creates 11 sky "islands" harboring rare species and communities of plants and animals. The southeastern part of Arizona is rich in history, natural wonders, birds and native vegetation. A wide diversity of people live here along with how they make their living. Agriculture, ranching, mining, army base, tourism and many other jobs make up the base of the economy. Sierra Vista is the largest community in the county.

U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands comprise 21% of the County while State and other public lands make up 37%. The remaining 42% is privately owned.

The geography of Cochise County can best be described as mountains and wide valleys. Elevations range form 9,798 feet at the top of Chiricahua Peak to 3,580 feet at Benson in the far western portion of the County. Wide valleys such as the San Simon, Sulphur Springs, and San Pedro cut through Cochise County in northwesterly to southeasterly directions. The area has a semi-arid climate with moderate winters and very warm summers. Precipitation rarely exceeds one inch in any month except July, August, and September when high intensity, but short-lived thunderstorms (monsoons) may occur. The overall climate of the area supports favorable conditions for recreational as well as occupational activities year long.

Cochise College, a two-year community college has its main campuses in Douglas and Sierra Vista with extension campuses at Willcox and Benson. The University of Arizona is less than 100 miles from the center of the County.

Cochise County's economy, once strongly mining and agriculturally oriented, is becoming more balanced as manufacturing, retail trades, and tourist related employment gain in importance. Manufacturing , whole and retail trades are large employers. Copper mining in the southern portion of Cochise County, has declined die to mine shut downs. Tourism contributes to the area economy mostly due to the County's rich heritage from the lawless Arizona Territorial days. Cochise County obtains it's name from the Chiricahua Apache Chief "Cochise". This was the homeland of the Chiricahua Apache until they were relocated to Florida and then eventually to Oklahoma and New Mexico. Cochise is buried here in his beloved land in the Dragoon Mountains. Cochise Stronghold is a part of the National Forest and has picnic tables, water, camping sites and hiking trails. Cochise is buried somewhere within this natural rock fortress.....but the only white man that knew is now long gone and he kept the secret of the burial place of his friend, Cochise. The rugged stronghold shows the visitor why the Apache Indians were so elusive of the soldiers stationed at old Fort Bowie, the Butterfield Stage stop, and Fort Huachuca, established to protect settlers in the new frontier. Of course, a visit to the cemetery at Tombstone, attests to the national fame of Cochise County as a place remote from law and order and a have for outlaws in the late 1800's. The other main tourism draw is birding. Southeastern Arizona is considered to have some of the premier birding spots in the world. Ramsey Canyon Preserve (Nature Conservancy) outside of Sierra Vista is world famous for it's Hummingbirds, Willcox has a Playa where a large flock of Sandhill Crane winter and the Chiricahua Mountains have the Portal area where if you're watchful you can see Elegant Trogans. The birding areas and the area birds are too numerous to list here. Contact the local Audubon Society or Chambers for birding lists.

Agriculture continues to be an important segment of the Cochise County economy. Once known as the cattle capitol of the nation, livestock continues to be important to the county economy. Primary irrigated crops are cotton, wheat, corn, grain, sorghum, and alfalfa hay. More recent diversification of agriculture in Cochise County has resulted in changes from the primary crops to apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, pistachios, pecans, lettuce, chili, and other vegetables. The area has a multitude of U-pick vegetable farms and orchards, including several organic farms. Greenhouse tomato and cucumber operations have been completed in the past few years with good success. The largest area for these operations are the Sulphur Springs Valley with the San Simon Valley coming in second.

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