Ranchers, farmers, cowboys and Indians. These are just a few of the associations the tiny city of Willcox, Ariz., might conjure.
History
Originally known as Mahley's Camp, Willcox was founded in 1877. The Southern Pacific Railroad built a train station in Mahley's Camp and chugged through in 1880, bringing new possibilities for commerce and a new town name.
"When the first train stopped in the small camp General Orlando B. Wilcox was on board, those spectators recognizing the General began chanting “Wilcox! Wilcox! Wilcox!” A reporter from Tucson went back and reported in the Arizona Daily Star about the new railroad town known as Wilcox," according to the City of Willcox Web site.
In its more distant past, the Willcox area was home to the Chiricahua Apache. The most notable of these Apache is Cochise, after whom the nearby city of Cochise, Ariz., is named. As with Geronimo, Cochise is one of the most famous Apache to resist Mexican and American attacks during the 1800s.
After the Native Americans had been wiped from the area, cattle ranchers came along to form Mahley's Camp, followed closely by the railroad and modern farming.
The city was incorporated in 1915 and the name changed from Wilcox to Willcox. Since then Willcox has grown slowly to a population of 3,810 residents. It is today a mecca for farmers, cattle ranchers and vintners.
Tourism
Anyone visiting Willcox will be welcomed with a variety of country-style opportunities. In the late summer and autumn months tourists can visit the farms, most of which boast U-pick opportunities for city slickers and locals alike. Apple Annie's Orchard and Farm hosts activities every weekend from July through October. Highlights include the Sweet Corn Extravaganza in July, Peach Mania Festival in August, Apple Harvest Celebration in August and September, and Fall Pumpkin Celebration in September.
Other farms in the area featuring U-Pick programs include The Berry Farm, Cook Family Orchard and Valley Farms Ltd.--Desert Sweet Organic.
For those craving the fruits of the farms without getting their shoes dirty, Stouts Cider Mill boasts a plethora of delicious pies, the specialty being apple, and various dried nuts and fruits, honey products and fudge.
Wine lovers will enjoy the Willcox area, which is growing into a miniature Napa Valley. Among the vineyards popping up around Willcox are Coronado Vineyards, Keeling Schaeffer Vineyards, Dos Cabezas Wineworks, Cochise Groves and Laurence Dunham Vineyards. Willcox was once home to Kokopelli Winery, which has moved on to bigger and better things in Scottsdale, Ariz. The area has such potential for wine growing that Dick Erath, a pioneering Oregon vintner and pinot specialist whose Erath Vineyard rapidly gained fame after the movie Sideways came out in 2004, purchased a large parcel of land near Willcox to grow grapes on. Several of the vineyards offer tastings throughout the year.
Those who enjoy museums may be amused by the billboard off Exit 336, the first eastbound exit to Willcox. It says "Willcox: City of Museums." While Willcox hardly compares to the treasures of the museums in New York, Berlin and Paris, those interested in the local history will be delighted by the museums Willcox offers.
Willcox's cowboy history lives on with the Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Marty Robbins Museum. The city pays tribute to the area's first residents at the Chiricahua Regional Museum, and the railroad gets a nod with the Southern Pacific Depot--which is also home to the City of Willcox's offices. There is also the Museum of the Southwest in the Willcox Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, and the Old Willcox Cemetary, which happens to be the resting place of Warren Earp--brother of Tombstone's famous Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil Earp.
Several events also bring people to town several times a year. The first weekend in October is always home to Rex Allen Days, a festival that celebrates the life and work of the Willcox-born singing cowboy Rex Allen. Other events include Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival in January, the Willcox Rod & Classic Car Show in May, Western Heritage Days in July, the Apple Festival in December, and an ongoing series of rodeos throughout the year.
Tidbits
Anyone living in Willcox acknowledges the city's small-town mentality, which can be both warm and closed-minded. Since it is such a small community, it is easy for residents to get to know almost everyone.
The population is majority white and Hispanic, but there is also a small representation of other ethnic groups.
Willcox's children get their education from Willcox Elementary School, Willcox Middle School and Willcox High School. This is also an alternative school, PPEP Tech, and a Christian school, Lighthouse Academy. Cochise College offers secondary education opportunities to high school students and adults.
There isn't much for youth to do in town, but the Elsie S. Hogan Community Library offers a thriving teen program and TAG Magazine, which is produced by and for Willcox's teens.
There are also three public parks in Willcox, including Keiller Park and Historic Railroad Park.
The variety of restaurants in Willcox isn't expansive, but it gets the job done. Visitors in the mood for a burger and fries can try McDonalds, Burger King or Carter's. Pizza lovers will find themselves at home in Pizza Hut or eating St. Louis style pizza at Carter's. For Mexican Food, there's Salsa Fiesta or El Ranchero. Cleopatra's Egyptian restaurant is housed in the Lifestyles RV Park. There are also two truck stops offering a variety of restaurants: Willcox Truck Plaza and TA Truck Stop. The city's hotels offer restaurants, and simple, unhealthy fare can be found at gas station convenience stores. Apple Annie's Orchard offers apple-smoked burgers and Stouts Cider Mill serves up a few dishes as well.
As for the nightlife in Willcox, well... There are few bars: the Historic Palace Saloon, Rix's Tavern, Terrell Bar & Grill, and Maley Bar.
The Surrounding Area
Nearby attractions include Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie, Cochise Stronghold, the Amerind Foundation, Tombstone and Bisbee.
History
Originally known as Mahley's Camp, Willcox was founded in 1877. The Southern Pacific Railroad built a train station in Mahley's Camp and chugged through in 1880, bringing new possibilities for commerce and a new town name.
"When the first train stopped in the small camp General Orlando B. Wilcox was on board, those spectators recognizing the General began chanting “Wilcox! Wilcox! Wilcox!” A reporter from Tucson went back and reported in the Arizona Daily Star about the new railroad town known as Wilcox," according to the City of Willcox Web site.
In its more distant past, the Willcox area was home to the Chiricahua Apache. The most notable of these Apache is Cochise, after whom the nearby city of Cochise, Ariz., is named. As with Geronimo, Cochise is one of the most famous Apache to resist Mexican and American attacks during the 1800s.
After the Native Americans had been wiped from the area, cattle ranchers came along to form Mahley's Camp, followed closely by the railroad and modern farming.
The city was incorporated in 1915 and the name changed from Wilcox to Willcox. Since then Willcox has grown slowly to a population of 3,810 residents. It is today a mecca for farmers, cattle ranchers and vintners.
Tourism
Anyone visiting Willcox will be welcomed with a variety of country-style opportunities. In the late summer and autumn months tourists can visit the farms, most of which boast U-pick opportunities for city slickers and locals alike. Apple Annie's Orchard and Farm hosts activities every weekend from July through October. Highlights include the Sweet Corn Extravaganza in July, Peach Mania Festival in August, Apple Harvest Celebration in August and September, and Fall Pumpkin Celebration in September.
Other farms in the area featuring U-Pick programs include The Berry Farm, Cook Family Orchard and Valley Farms Ltd.--Desert Sweet Organic.
For those craving the fruits of the farms without getting their shoes dirty, Stouts Cider Mill boasts a plethora of delicious pies, the specialty being apple, and various dried nuts and fruits, honey products and fudge.
Wine lovers will enjoy the Willcox area, which is growing into a miniature Napa Valley. Among the vineyards popping up around Willcox are Coronado Vineyards, Keeling Schaeffer Vineyards, Dos Cabezas Wineworks, Cochise Groves and Laurence Dunham Vineyards. Willcox was once home to Kokopelli Winery, which has moved on to bigger and better things in Scottsdale, Ariz. The area has such potential for wine growing that Dick Erath, a pioneering Oregon vintner and pinot specialist whose Erath Vineyard rapidly gained fame after the movie Sideways came out in 2004, purchased a large parcel of land near Willcox to grow grapes on. Several of the vineyards offer tastings throughout the year.
Those who enjoy museums may be amused by the billboard off Exit 336, the first eastbound exit to Willcox. It says "Willcox: City of Museums." While Willcox hardly compares to the treasures of the museums in New York, Berlin and Paris, those interested in the local history will be delighted by the museums Willcox offers.
Willcox's cowboy history lives on with the Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Marty Robbins Museum. The city pays tribute to the area's first residents at the Chiricahua Regional Museum, and the railroad gets a nod with the Southern Pacific Depot--which is also home to the City of Willcox's offices. There is also the Museum of the Southwest in the Willcox Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, and the Old Willcox Cemetary, which happens to be the resting place of Warren Earp--brother of Tombstone's famous Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil Earp.
Several events also bring people to town several times a year. The first weekend in October is always home to Rex Allen Days, a festival that celebrates the life and work of the Willcox-born singing cowboy Rex Allen. Other events include Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival in January, the Willcox Rod & Classic Car Show in May, Western Heritage Days in July, the Apple Festival in December, and an ongoing series of rodeos throughout the year.
Tidbits
Anyone living in Willcox acknowledges the city's small-town mentality, which can be both warm and closed-minded. Since it is such a small community, it is easy for residents to get to know almost everyone.
The population is majority white and Hispanic, but there is also a small representation of other ethnic groups.
Willcox's children get their education from Willcox Elementary School, Willcox Middle School and Willcox High School. This is also an alternative school, PPEP Tech, and a Christian school, Lighthouse Academy. Cochise College offers secondary education opportunities to high school students and adults.
There isn't much for youth to do in town, but the Elsie S. Hogan Community Library offers a thriving teen program and TAG Magazine, which is produced by and for Willcox's teens.
There are also three public parks in Willcox, including Keiller Park and Historic Railroad Park.
The variety of restaurants in Willcox isn't expansive, but it gets the job done. Visitors in the mood for a burger and fries can try McDonalds, Burger King or Carter's. Pizza lovers will find themselves at home in Pizza Hut or eating St. Louis style pizza at Carter's. For Mexican Food, there's Salsa Fiesta or El Ranchero. Cleopatra's Egyptian restaurant is housed in the Lifestyles RV Park. There are also two truck stops offering a variety of restaurants: Willcox Truck Plaza and TA Truck Stop. The city's hotels offer restaurants, and simple, unhealthy fare can be found at gas station convenience stores. Apple Annie's Orchard offers apple-smoked burgers and Stouts Cider Mill serves up a few dishes as well.
As for the nightlife in Willcox, well... There are few bars: the Historic Palace Saloon, Rix's Tavern, Terrell Bar & Grill, and Maley Bar.
The Surrounding Area
Nearby attractions include Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie, Cochise Stronghold, the Amerind Foundation, Tombstone and Bisbee.
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