![]() Many farm roads leading to the graveyard are now under new ownership, making access difficult. The bluff's edge still has a smattering of crosses.Ī cemetery mound among a clump of trees just east of the site marks the final resting place of the family. The site of the massacre is marked with a small rock pile and a sign, which is still distant and barren. Only three members of the Oatman family escaped the slaughter, but one of them eventually died. The attack occurred on a cliff overlooking the Gila River, located 26 miles west of Gila Bend in a lonely desert area. Look Back on a Tragedy at the Oatman Massacre Site Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commonsĭuring the 1851 Oatman Massacre, killers ambushed the Oatman family while traveling on the Gila Trail. ![]() The museum also features the Oatman Massacre location, where a family was slain, and two little girls kidnapped. The heart of Gila Bend has a tourist center and museum.Īt the museum, you may find more than 2,000 relics from the old Papago people (now known as the Tohono O'odham). The museum displays many objects and images from the area's indigenous cultures, ceramics, and ancient artifacts. This modest museum, which you can find right off the main street, includes a wealth of historical knowledge.ĭuring World War II, the region was an internment camp for Japanese-Americans suspected of aiding the Japanese army. Visit the Gila Bend Visitor's Center and Museum Keep on the lookout for the town's numerous roadside sculptures and the amusing welcome sign.īring your camera and snap a few pictures of the road signs! If you're lucky, an old crab may come out and tell you to leave town. The hand-painted sign shows how many "friendly people" and "old crabs" are currently living in the area. You'll notice the Gila Bend Welcome Sign when you first arrive at Gila Bend. Jon Manjeot / Take Snaps by the Gila Bend Welcome Sign ![]() You may reach the park's Visitor Center by driving south on Highway 85 from Gila Bend, Arizona. (see map attached).Īt the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, you may purchase a license for your visit.Ī maximum of five vehicles are permitted to enter at a time. You'll need a permit to get to Dripping Springs from North Puerto Blanco Dr. There are picnic places and hiking paths near both courses. You'll have plenty of chances to see Organ Pipe and Saguaro cactus along both routes. You may reach the Ajo Mountains through moderate hiking on Ajo Mountain, which has a circumference of 21 miles.Ī 10-mile in-and-out drive takes you to North Puerto Rico. Once you arrive at the park, the Ajo Mountain Beautiful Loop and North Puerto Blanco Drive are two options for scenic drives. Camp under a star-filled sky, or enjoy the Southwest's warmth and natural splendor. With mountains and grasslands as the backdrop, you may take a solitary drive or trek into the countryside. It signifies the region's long history of desert habitation. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument pays homage to Arizona's Sonoran Desert and its inhabitants with its designation as an International Biosphere Reserve. See Gigantic Cacti at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument melissamn / Here are the best things to do in Gila Bend, AZ: You may find many national and historical landmarks and some genuinely out-of-this-world accommodations here. Stout's Hotel in Gila Bend, Arizona, which had its own ice production facility, was a popular pit stop for travelers in the 1920s and 1930s. ![]() In 1879, the town relocated four miles southwest to take advantage of the railroad's economic opportunities. Since Gila Bend is on a historic travel route, many travelers have rested there for ages. The town of Gila Bend takes its name from the river's sharp bend, which played an essential role in the region's early history. The best things to do in Gila Bend, Arizona, take you to a haven of history, nature, and adventure.Įstablished in 1872, Gila Bend is one of the first settlements in Maricopa County.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |