Wilbur A. and Lynn F. Haak, Gila County Historical Museum Archive. Images of America: Globe, 40. Arcadia Publishing, Charleston South Carolina, 2008. Mining and Grazing Communities in the Tonto BasinThe Roads Facilitating Military Campaigns of the 1870s and Their Impact on Regional DevelopmentBuilding roads for military campaigns in the 1870s was key. It made remote areas more accessible. These roads helped prospectors. In 1875, they looked for minerals. They went to Superior, Globe, Clifton-Morenci, Richmond Basin, and McMillenville. These routes increased human activity. They also led to more economic use of mineral resources in the region.The Gold Rush to Payson began in 1880. It increased traffic on stagecoach roads. This was especially true for the route from Payson to Globe, which was passed by historic ruins. The surge in movement brought many miners and prospectors. They were eager to take advantage of new opportunities. Early mining companies had names that showed their dreams. They also reflected local history. For example, Ramboz, Rescue, and Bluebird were in the Globe district. In the Richmond Basin, there was the Stonewall Jackson Mine and the Nugget of McMillenville. These efforts to use the basin's mineral wealth helped the population grow. They also led to more economic variety. Miners settled in the area, so they needed more supplies and provisions. Ranchers, farmers, and merchants moved to the area. They set up support networks to help the growing mining communities. The early military infrastructure had strategic aims. It also led to important growth in the region's economy and society. Globe City, first called Globe, started in 1876. This marked an important time in Arizona's mining history. The Arizona Daily Silver Belt started publishing in 1878, two years later. It became an important source of news for the growing community. In 1881, officials created Gila County from parts of Pinal and Maricopa counties. Globe became the county seat, which boosted its significance in the area. Silver mines were key to Globe's early economic growth. Their discovery and use sparked this development. As the silver deposits faded, a new prosperity began. Researchers found rich copper deposits in the Superior and Globe-Miami areas. This led to a second boom. Mining activity surged in the early 20th century. Between 1900 and 1910, many key mining companies worked in the area. These included:
Nancy Dallett, At the Confluence of Change 2008. Ranching in Tonto BasinGrazing was the main force that changed the Tonto Basin. This development aimed to meet the dietary needs of soldiers at Fort McDowell. It also served miners in the Globe-Miami area. In 1868, the United States Army brought domestic cattle to the region. They aimed to provide food for the troops. An officer at Fort McDowell said there was plenty of water and grass in the Tonto Basin. These resources are key for big grazing operations.News of these good conditions spread like wildfire through the community. This led to the arrival of cattle, hogs, and sheep in the area. In a 1926 interview, Fred W. Croxen talked to the oldest cattleman in the Tonto Basin. This conversation gives key insights. It reveals the range conditions ranchers faced around 1870. According to these accounts, they described the region as a paradise for ranchers. The natural environment had great benefits. It had plenty of grass and well-watered areas. These were perfect for raising livestock. Infrastructural conditions played a crucial role in the success of the livestock industry. The military needed better logistics. So, they built usable roads. Making access and transportation in the region easier. This infrastructure helped. By the late 1800s, Apache resistance was gone. This change enabled livestock operations to function without disruptions. Ranch products attracted buyers with little effort. Markets were in Phoenix, Camp McDowell, and Silver King. Silver King is near today’s Superior. Mountain lions made horse raising tricky. Still, the environment was great for crops and livestock. People saw the Tonto Basin as a good place for ranching. Many settlers came from California, Oregon, Utah's Mormon settlements, Texas, and New Mexico. These newcomers had a lot of ranching experience from different places. They thought the good conditions they saw would last. Many people didn’t know how fragile desert ecosystems were. They also didn’t realize how much the environment could change. Cattle ranchers lived in homesteads scattered along Tonto Creek. Their cattle roamed on open land without fences. They worked together to round them up, starting near Tonto Box. Then, they moved down Tonto Creek to where it met the Salt River. Each rancher would round up his steers from the herd and take them to market. These idyllic conditions didn't last long. Hog, sheep, and cattle ranching in the Tonto Basin harmed native plants. These plants were important for the animals. Livestock grazing and fire suppression changed the land. They cut down grasses that livestock needed. At the same time, they let more woody plants and shrubs grow. These plants are not good for livestock. Droughts in the early 1880s often cut back grazing. But when rainfall increased, the industry bounced back. The revival got stronger. It happened when the area was linked to the transcontinental rail routes. The wetter ranges made transport easier. The new system helped get products to market faster and cheaper. More ranchers came because of these good conditions. This led to bigger herds, which helped lower production costs. This industry expansion further depleted the grasses. Then the good times ended. A severe drought in 1892-1893 left the Tonto Basin dry. Heavy rains followed, which washed away topsoil and created gullies. By 1895, people considered the range "at the ragged end of it all." Overstocking and drought hurt the grass. By the late 1880s, cattle and sheep ranchers were blaming each other. Their relationships were already tense. Grazing in the Tonto Basin saw a swift expansion. This led to major environmental damage. It created problems for everyone. 
NPS Images Two Perspectives on the Cliff DwellingsThe Tonto Cliff Dwellings hold a rich history. They mean different things to the local people. Archaeological evidence shows these sites were special. They were important to some people. These places were cultural and spiritual landmarks. Some groups see the dwellings as curious. They represent regional identity. Some historical records show that some people saw the sites as chances to take artifacts. They removed items on a first-come, first-served basis. These views show a link. Southwest archaeology is tied to pre-Columbian peoples.Angeline Mitchell Brown A School Teacher in Tonto Basin. On December 12, 1880, this 26 year old teacher traveled with her six students to the Cliff Dwellings. The trip proved to be "far superior" to what she had anticipated and "Worth the Trouble". Read Angeline Mitchell's account on her visit to the Lower Cliff Dwellings 
NPS Images Adolph BandelierAdolph Francis Bandelier was born in Switzerland. He led the first detailed study of prehistoric sites in present-day Arizona. He was the first archaeologist. He mapped and surveyed many archaeological parks and monuments we see today. They established Tonto National Monument at one of the locations.Bandelier used his horse, Chico, to travel. Railroads and stage routes didn’t go through many places he explored. On the trek, Chico was sometimes his only friend. Read Adolph Bandelier's account on his visit to the Cliff Dwellings ReferencesDallett, Nancy. "One Land, Many Peoples: Mining and Grazing Communities in the Tonto Basin" in At the Confluence of Change: A History of Tonto National Monument. Western National Parks Association, 2008.Haak, Wilbur A., et al, and the Gila County Historical Museum Archive. "Mining" In Images of America: Globe. Arcadia Publishing, 2008. |
Last updated: June 20, 2026