This chapter presents a brief history of Naco, including information on the people of Naco gleaned from census records and voting registration records. Previous archaeological investigations are also described.

Recorded history of the Naco, Arizona, area begins with one of the first Euro-American explorers to visit Arizona, a man named Francisco Coronado. He journeyed along the San Pedro River in 1540, leaving no traces of his passage, so his precise route is still debated today. Father Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit priest, was probably the next Euro-American to travel through the area, in the 1690s. The founding of the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, northwest of present day Naco, marked the beginning of Euro-American settlement in the San Pedro River Valley (Walker and Bufkin 1986:12-14). The Presidio was occupied from 1775 to 1780 (Williams 1986).

The late 1700s and early 1800s saw limited occupation of the Naco area. There are three reasons for this slow growth: the inhospitable climate, the difficulties involved in traveling through the area, and attacks by Apache Indians. Combined, these conditions made southeastern Arizona an unpleasant place for ranchers and miners, who were drawn by the grasslands along the rivers and metals and minerals hidden in the ground.

In 1846, the Mormon Battalion, which consisted of a group of Mormon soldiers led by Captain Philip Cooke, passed through the area. These soldiers may have been the first Anglo-Americans to visit the region. At that time, the area was still under Mexican control (the Spanish had relinquished claims after the Mexican Revolution of 1821). The Mexican government subsequently sold the area that includes southern Arizona as part of the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, and the international boundary was surveyed shortly thereafter. Hostile Apaches destroyed many of these markers, and they were replaced between 1891 and 1894 (Walker and Bufkin 1986:21-22).

The American period saw increased settlement of the area. Arizona was established as a separate territory from New Mexico in 1863, and in 1881 Cochise County was created from eastern Pima County. It is the only Arizona County named after a Native American individual (Walker and Bufkin 1986:32). Tombstone was named county seat in 1881, a position it held until 1929 when the seat was moved to Bisbee.

Mining and ranching were the main economic pursuits in early Cochise County, a trend that continues today. The suppression of the Apache, cheaper transportation routes, and new metallurgical processes allowed for the establishment of many gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc mines in southeastern Arizona. The towns of Bisbee, Tombstone, Douglas, and Benson were all founded from around 1879 to 1880. At one time, Bisbee was the largest settlement in the territory with more than 20,000 residents. In 1915, Cochise County held 1/6 of the state's population (Cochise County 1915). The Arizona Southeastern Railroad line was built almost to Naco in 1888-1889 (Walker and Bufkin 1986:46-48). In the 1890s, the line was run across the border to the Mexican town of Cananea, setting the stage for the development of Naco.

The origins of Naco are somewhat unclear, however. In 1892, a newspaper reported that a new city is to be built on the line in the road from Station 30 on the Bisbee railway to Nacomara. The new city was to have an American and Mexican customs house and telecommunications with Bisbee (Weekly Arizona Enterprise February 18, 1892, page 4). While planned as early as 1892, the town was probably not actually established until 1898, when the Phelps Dodge Company decided to pursue mining operations in Nacozari, Mexico, where rich deposits of copper were to be found. In the same year, voters were listed in Naco Junction. One source claims that John and Etta Towner were the first residents of Naco (Valenzuela n.d.). In 1899, the Canine Consolidated Copper Company, headed by an American named William Cornell Green, began operations, and the need for a quicker means of transporting copper ore grew (Anonymous 1976). A railroad track was built to link the mine in Nacozari to mining operations in southern Cochise County, and the twin towns of Naco, Arizona, and Naco, Sonora, grew at the point where the railroad crossed the international border (Myrick 1975:194). Naco quickly became a small service center for local residents, who were mostly miners and ranchers.

In 1899, Naco was reported to have 50 inhabitants, with plans to become a rival of Nogales, to the west (Arizona Star February 9, 1899). The post office was opened on the first of January in 1899, with Joseph E. Curry as the original postmaster (Barnes 1960). Other records state that Kenneth C. Hicks was actually the first postmaster, and that the post office was established in July of 1899 (Granger 1983:428). Both of these men were pioneer residents. 

The Mexican government officially moved their Port of Entry from Morita to Naco, Sonora, on July 16, 1900. Voter registration lists for 1900 indicate that the United States customs house also had been moved there from Morita. Construction of the Naco-to-Cananea railroad began in 1901, spurring further growth (Anonymous 1976).

In 1904, a Wells Fargo Station was opened (Barnes 1960). The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company first mapped the town in the same year (Figure A.3). By this time, Naco was reported to have 1,800 residents; however, this was clearly an exaggeration. The area covered by the map had about 80 dwellings and 30 businesses. There were five saloons and two churches, a public school, a confectionery shop, a waterworks, general stores, and the Naco Hotel. The town was remapped five years later, in 1909. There were no major changes in the numbers of buildings. The population figure was revised downward to 1,000, which was still too high since the 1910 census found only 517 people in the general area.

The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, had a profound effect on the two Nacos. The Mexican government had come into open conflict with rebel groups protesting government policies. As the fighting spread in northern Sonora, southern Arizonans began to watch the border anxiously. On November 6, 1910, U.S. troops were moved to the border to guard American interests (Figure A.4). Company B of the 18th Infantry, previously stationed at Fort Whipple, was sent to prevent arms smuggling into Mexico. Many naturalized Mexican residents of Arizona were supporting the rebels since these individuals were often their friends and relatives (Christiansen 1974).

The following year saw the first battle in Naco, Sonora, which occurred on May 19, 1911. Two years later, fighting intensified to such a degree that many Naco, Arizona, residents fled the town. In March and April, the 9th U.S. Cavalry stood watch as bullets "fell thickly" across the border, and they spent much time keeping excited spectators away from the fighting. Naco, Sonora, had been held by the federal forces, but it soon fell. The town was devastated, and its residents (including many Chinese workers) abandoned the town. The fierce battles between the government forces and the rebels practically leveled the town. Finally, after 1915 the fighting decreased, allowing Naco, Arizona, residents to return to their homes without the fear of stray bullets smashing through walls (Christiansen 1975). At least four residents of Naco, Arizona, were killed by stray bullets and shells, and an additional 37 were injured (Mumme 1979). Afterward, the Naco Hotel advertised its "Bullet-Proof Rooms" (see Figure A.5).

The battles appear to have disrupted the economy of the region. Railroad routes into Mexico were cut off, and trade ceased as the Federales and rebels fought for control over the area. Naco, Arizona, suffered as a result. In 1920, there were only 417 residents in Naco, and the numbers did not increase substantially in later years. The 1924 Bisbee City Directory lists the businesses that were operating in Naco, including a pharmacy, a grocery, a hotel, a barber shop, and an auto stage (see Figure A.5). Customs officials and a Mexican counsel were also located in Naco, as was Troop B of the Tenth Calvary, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers were African-American, and many of their families resided in Naco, Arizona.

During Prohibition, which began in Arizona on the first of January in 1915 (Cherrington 1916), Naco, Sonora, experienced an influx of Americans seeking alcohol. Numerous clubs sprouted, including the Del Monte, the Arizona Club, and the Foreign Club. Other amusements included cabarets, a boxing arena, and, probably, brothels. Period photographs suggest that these entertainments were very popular (Figure A.6).

Another Mexican Revolution in 1929 created more excitement. Naco became the only town in the continental United States to be bombed when an inept pilot dropped four bombs on the town, blowing out windows, demolishing a car, and damaging a boxcar (Peterson 1983; Sheppard 1988). Many people left Naco during the second Mexican Revolution, and the 1931 Sanborn Map reveals that the town had undergone little or no growth since the 1909 map was created (Figure A.7).

In more recent years, Naco has seen a gradual decline in the number of residents. The growth of nearby communities has drawn businesses away from Naco, as has the demise of the railroad, beginning in the 1930s. The 1960s and 1970s saw the closure of several nearby copper mines, further harming the local economy. The Naco, Arizona, Port of Entry serves as one of the main economic stimuli for the settlement. The town currently is unincorporated and has a population of about 700 people (Rubio 1985; Peterson 1983).
 
 

Census records for 1900, 1910, and 1920 and voting registration records for 1898 and 1900 provide a glimpse of the people who lived in Naco in the early twentieth century. Voting records were collected every two years and list those individuals who registered to vote. In most cases, the individuals are Euro-American males, native-born or naturalized, and older than 21. Census records were collected by the United States government every ten years and provide name, relationship, age, year naturalized, birthplace, birthplace of parents, mother tongue, and whether the person could read and write, among other data. Unfortunately, the 1900 census fails to list the addresses of the people counted. It was possible to determine that Naco had been counted, since the custom's officials were listed; however, it was not possible to determine exactly who lived in the town and who didn't.

The 1898 Great Register lists 14 voters at a place called Naco Junction. It is uncertain whether this place is the same as present-day Naco, but examination of these names suggests that it is not. None of those listed for Naco Junction were registered in Naco two years later. The register also lists no individuals for Naco Junction after the letter M, suggesting that other people were recorded elsewhere. The registered voters for 1898 are presented in Table 2.1.

There is ample evidence to indicate that Naco had sprouted up quickly between 1898 and 1900, as the Great Register lists a total of 56 men (Table 2.2). These men were employed in a variety of professions, indicating that Naco's growth as a small service center began relatively early. Some of the men continued to work in more traditional careers for the area, such as miners, teamsters, and ranchers.

The 1900 census does not list individuals by address. The enumerator counting Naco residents placed a big X on the census form line asking for the name of the township or town being counted. However, it was possible to determine which people were actually living in Naco by examining the occupations of individuals and then comparing the group suspected of living in Naco with the names of voters registered there in 1900. All of the names were concentrated in a four-page area. A few individuals may have been excluded, but there is no way to determine this.

Naco had at least 160 residents in 1900, the majority of whom were men born in the United States. In 1900, only a handful of Mexicans lived in the town. The jobs held by residents indicate that several saloons, a hotel, stores, and a customs office were present. There were also a number of carpenters and a brickmaker living in Naco, doubtlessly helping to build the dwellings and businesses sprouting up around them. Table 2.3 presents a summary of the 1900 Census records for Naco.

The 1910 census lists a total of 517 people in the Naco Judicial Precinct. Examination of the census schedules indicates that about 200 of these individuals actually lived within Naco (as shown by their street addresses) and the remaining individuals lived in the area around the town. In the total population there were 214 men, 119 women, and 183 children.

At least 116 of the 517 residents were foreign-born. Mexicans formed the largest group, with 91 individuals. Other nationalities included 8 Canadians, 5 Germans, 4 Irish, 4 English, 2 Scotch,
1 French, and 1 Swedish. Most of the European immigrants were males, whereas Mexican residents included many women and children. The remaining citizens were born throughout the United States, with Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico contributing the majority of the population.

The occupations of Naco residents were quite varied. While the surrounding area was populated by miners and cattle ranchers, Naco served as a retail and service center. It boasted a doctor, a lawyer, and a customs agent, along with many railroad employees. Several women ran boarding houses and laundries, catering to single men.

Ten years later, in 1920, 427 people were enumerated in the Naco town precinct. It is uncertain whether the smaller number reflects a decrease in the area's population or merely a change in the size of the area counted. Significant changes in the population had occurred over the last ten years: The number of men and women had become more equitable, and the number of Mexican residents had grown dramatically from 18 percent in 1910 to 28 percent in 1920. Doubtlessly, the Mexican political problems were the reason for the increased immigration.

Almost half of the residents of Naco came from other parts of the United States. Thirty-three states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are represented, along with Germany, England, France, Scotland, and Syria. Most native-born residents came from Arizona, Texas, and Missouri. Analysis of census data also indicates that increasing numbers of Mexican nationals were drawn to the border area, probably in search of economic opportunities and to escape from the armed conflicts in the area (see Table 2.4).

Table 2.5 summarizes the shift in population that occurred between 1900 and 1920. The movement away from a predominantly male population to one with more families signaled the end of the Old West. The current population of Naco is estimated at around 700. Many of these people work in nearby towns such as Bisbee, in either the mining or tourism industries (Peterson 1988).
 
 

Archaeologists have spent limited time in the area close to Naco, and as a result, little is known about the area's prehistory. However, among those sites known are two of Arizona's earliest. In the summer of 1951, intense rains resulted in erosion that uncovered mammoth bones in Greenbush Draw, one mile northwest of Naco. Local residents reported the discovery of two Paleo-Indian projectile points, and shortly thereafter archaeologist Emil Haury arrived with geologist Ernst Antevs and paleontologist John Lance to investigate the site (Haury 1986:76).

The Naco Mammoth Kill site contained the skeletal remains of a Columbian Mammoth that had been killed by the use of at least 8 Clovis points about 10,000 years ago (Haury 1986:78-98). Another Paleo-Indian site was subsequently discovered in the area to the northwest of Naco. The Lehner Mammoth site yielded the remains of 9 mammoths and 13 projectile points, along with other tools, a pair of hearths, and skeletal material from several other species of animals (Haury et al. 1986:99-145). This site dates to about 11,000 years ago.

A great gap exists in the prehistory of the area in that only a few non-Paleo-Indian prehistoric sites have been documented in the Naco area (see Table 2.6). There have been few archaeological surveys in the area and only a small amount of development. As a result, there has been little opportunity to inventory sites. Also, there may simply be few sites. Spanish explorers encountered the Jano and Jocome people in the southeast corner of Arizona; however, these nomadic people appear to have become extinct by the mid 1700s (Griffen 1983:331) and may have left few observable signs of their use of the land.

Archaeological activity in the area has been limited to the two Paleoindian projects and work conducted at AZ FF:9:10, a prehistoric habitation site with ceramic and chipped stone artifacts, by the Cochise County Historical and Archaeological Society. Two surveys have taken place near Naco. Survey 1976-005 was conducted by William Doelle in September of 1976, during which ten acres were examined and no sites were discovered. Survey 1978-010 was conducted in March of 1978 by Susan Brew and Bruce Huckell. They located a single site north of Naco, AZ FF:9:5 (ASM), the remains of Camp Newell. Camp Newell was established to protect the area during the Mexican Revolutions, and among the soldiers who lived there were members of the Buffalo Soldiers, mostly the 9th and 10th Calvary. A light scatter of tin cans and cartridges was present; however, a later visit revealed that artifact collectors had stripped the site of all artifacts.

The Mule Mountain Site, AZ FF:9:29 (ASM), was studied in the fall of 1993 by Desert Archaeology. This site represents a short-term occupation by persons engaged in prospecting or ranching. The artifacts recovered date to the period from about 1880 to 1900 and indicate that at least one male and possibly one female were living there (Thiel 1994).

Site files maintained at the Arizona State Museum were examined in order to identify all sites in the area around Naco (see Table 2.6 and Figure A.8 87KB). One of these sites, AZ FF:9:25, is located within the expansion area. This designation is used in this report to refer to archaeological remains associated with the historic period in Naco.