Ajo AZ - Blog - 01

Ajo – pronounced Ah-ho – is located in western Pima County in the south western part of Arizona close to the border with Mexico. It is approximately 110 miles from Phoenix and 131 miles from Tucson. It is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture, historic railway station, (pictured above), relaxed charm, breathtaking vistas, and vibrant sunsets. Ajo is an ethnically diverse community and the birthplace of copper mining in Arizona. The principal source of the town’s economy is tourism, though Phelps Dodge hopes to re-establish the copper mining industry which ceased operation in 1986. It is a popular tourist destination and retirement community offering a somewhat inexpensive lifestyle. Ajo is a gateway for visitors traveling to Mexico, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation (and its casino.)

There have been many mining operations in the Ajo area over the years. The above image shows the copper surface pit mine that is now out of operation but was worked for many, many years. The following information was gleaned from the Chamber of Commerce Web site. (http://www.ajochamber.com/explore/history-of-ajo/)

The first to develop the Ajo area profitably was John Campbell Greenway, a Rough Rider and a star Yale athlete. He became general manager of the Calumet and the Arizona Mining Company. Dr. L.D. Ricketts and Greenway developed a leaching method to process the carbonate ore overburden. Greenway also located the well that still provides water to Ajo and directed the construction of the Plaza, tht is pictured above, the community’s focal point. Calumet and Phelps Dodge merged in 1931 and the mine became the new Cornelia Branch of Phelps Dodge, managed by Michael Curley.

Here is a link to a PDF Document that will tell you everything you may want to know about the mine - http://repository.azgs.az.gov/sites/default/files/dlio/files/nid1710/cr-17-a_ajo_final_0.pdf

Also here also this link provides is a good overview of some of the things to see and do while in Ajo. http://www.ajochamber.com/attractions/local-attractions/

The Curley School, pictured above, was built in 1919 for the children of the employees of the Copper Mine. In 1956 a new school was built and this building left abandoned for a time. It has now been converted into apartments and an artist community. Artists can rent the apartments and work in the studios there. Here is a link to a lot of information about the Curley School building and it's current status. http://curleyschool.com/

Here is an image of one of the two churches just across the street from the Plaza. This one is the Ajo Immaculate Conception Church

There are lots of winter visitors here in Ajo and more coming after Christmas, snow birds as it were. This person has a personalized license plate from Wisconsin that probably indicates they like Ajo and spend winters here as opposed to Wisconsin.

When we drove around the town of Ajo, down one of the side streets was a small home that had this lizard on the end wall facing the street. The home was not overly imposing but the end wall we found quite fascinating, nicely done.

There are several Thrasher species in Arizona. Here is a Curve-billed Thrasher, they are very common. This image was taken at the headquarters for Cabeza Prieta NWR located here in Ajo. The Thrasher is sitting on a large block of mixed bird seed. It appears to be about 9 in by 9 in by 9 in and there were many birds feeding from this block at various times. No filling feeders here.

There are no green wreathes in this area, no fir nor pine trees, nor blue spruce. There are no roadside lots selling Natural Christmas trees, no Klickers with their beautiful wreaths. This is desert country and so they make do with what they have. This is one of a bunch of Christmas Decorations that are placed around the Plaza. They are quite well done and certainly more durable than a natural wreath.