Graham County, Arizona
Graham County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona and is bordered by New Mexico to the east, Pima County to the west, Greenlee County to the north, and Cochise County to the south. It covers an area of 4,641 square miles and has a population of 37,220. The county seat is Safford.
The geography of Graham County is varied and includes mountains, desert, grasslands, canyons, rivers and streams. The most prominent feature is Mount Graham at 10,717 feet which dominates the landscape. This mountain range includes three separate peaks; South Peak (10,720 ft), Middle Peak (10,717 ft) and North Peak (10,668 ft). The highest point in Arizona outside of Flagstaff lies within this range.
The Gila River runs through Graham County from north to south with its tributaries including San Francisco River and Aravaipa Creek which flows into San Carlos Lake at Clifton. Along with San Carlos Lake there are other smaller bodies of water such as Roper Lake State Park and Dankworth Pond Wildlife Area in Safford.
The county also includes several scenic canyons such as Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area with its sheer cliffs towering 1,000 feet above the canyon floor as well as the Pinaleno Mountains which are known for their rugged beauty offering spectacular views from its many peaks including Mount Graham.
Graham County also has a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer mule deer javelina coyotes bobcats mountain lions black bears desert bighorn sheep wild turkeys quail dove elk antelope cougars badgers foxes skunks raccoons porcupines jackrabbits coyotes cottontails jackrabbits kangaroo rats pocket gophers shrews bats lizards snakes turtles frogs salamanders and many more species for visitors to observe while visiting this beautiful area.
Country seat and other main cities of Graham County, Arizona
The county seat of Graham County is the city of Safford which is located in the southeastern corner of the county. It is located on the Gila River and has a population of 9,321. It is home to Eastern Arizona College and Graham County Fairgrounds as well as many local businesses.
Safford also serves as the economic hub for Graham County with its many shops, restaurants, banks, and other services. The city also has a variety of recreational activities such as golfing at Mount Graham Golf Course, hiking in Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area, and fishing in San Carlos Lake.
According to COUNTRYAAH, other main cities in Graham County are Thatcher and Pima. Thatcher is located just north of Safford and has a population of 4,712. It is home to Eastern Arizona College Thatcher Campus as well as several local businesses. Pima is located to the west of Safford with a population of 1,835 and offers visitors access to nearby Roper Lake State Park for swimming, camping, fishing, boating and more.
In addition to these three main cities there are several small towns throughout Graham County including Clifton which sits at the confluence of San Francisco River and Aravaipa Creek; Solomon which was once an important stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad; Central which boasts some beautiful historic buildings; Fort Thomas which was once an important military post; Pima Junction which serves as a junction between two major highways; Duncan which was once an important stop on the Apache Trail Stage Line; Eden which served briefly during World War II; Peridot where visitors can find some great hunting areas; Grand Canyon Village where visitors can take in spectacular views from its many overlooks; Fort Grant where visitors can explore its historic ruins or take part in outdoor activities such as hunting or fishing; Bonita where visitors can take advantage of its natural hot springs; Bylas where visitors can explore its ancient petroglyphs or visit nearby Bylas Lake for fishing or canoeing; Clifton Heights where visitors can enjoy stunning views from its many overlooks or take part in outdoor activities such as camping or hiking; Richmond Heights where visitors can explore its old mine sites or go bird watching at nearby Silverbell Lake Wildlife Area; Safford Heights where they can enjoy stunning views over Safford Valley from atop Mount Graham Lookout Tower or visit nearby Dankworth Pond Wildlife Area for bird watching opportunities; Morenci Townsite where they can explore its old mining sites or enjoy scenic mountain biking trails through Coronado National Forest.
History of Graham County, Arizona
Graham County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona and has a rich history stretching back centuries. The county was first inhabited by the Apache people who had been living in the area for hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans. The first Europeans to arrive in the area were Spanish explorers and missionaries who established missions throughout what would later become Graham County. In 1853, the United States acquired the land through the Gadsden Purchase and it was later incorporated into Arizona Territory in 1863.
In 1881, Graham County was officially formed out of parts of Apache, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties. It was named after James Graham, an American soldier who served during the Mexican-American War. During this period, settlers began to move into the area and establish small ranches and farms. By 1900, most of Graham County had been settled by ranchers and farmers with several towns springing up throughout the region including Thatcher, Safford, Pima, Clifton, Solomon, Central, Fort Thomas, Pima Junction, Duncan, Eden, Peridot, Grand Canyon Village, Fort Grant, Bonita, Bylas, Clifton Heights, Richmond Heights, Safford Heights, Morenci Townsite.
In 1912 Arizona became a state and Graham County quickly grew as settlers continued to move into the area looking for work or land to farm or ranch on. During World War II many men from Graham County joined the military while women took on jobs at local factories or worked on farms or ranches while their husbands were away at war. After World War II ended many veterans returned home to start their own businesses or continue working on their family’s farm or ranch.
Throughout its history Graham County has continued to grow and develop thanks to its strong agricultural industry as well as its tourism industry which continues to bring visitors from all over to experience its natural beauty including nearby Roper Lake State Park where visitors can swim camp fish boat or take part in other outdoor activities like hunting fishing canoeing mountain biking bird watching exploring historic ruins petroglyphs old mine sites scenic overlooks hot springs etc. As more people continue to move into Graham County it continues to be a great place for people looking for work or looking for a place where they can enjoy all that nature has to offer while still being close enough to larger cities like Tucson Phoenix Flagstaff etc.
Economy of Graham County, Arizona
Graham County, Arizona is home to a vibrant and diverse economy. Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Graham County is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that have provided the foundation for its economic growth. Agriculture is a major factor in the county’s economy, with cotton, alfalfa hay, corn, and wheat being some of the major crops grown in the area. Cattle ranching is also an important industry in Graham County as well as horse breeding. The county’s climate also makes it ideal for growing fruits and vegetables such as apples, peaches, and melons.
The tourism industry plays an important role in Graham County’s economy as well. Visitors come from all over to enjoy its natural beauty including nearby Roper Lake State Park which offers a variety of recreational activities such as swimming, camping, fishing, boating and more. There are also several historic sites including old mining sites and petroglyphs that attract visitors from all over the world.
In addition to agriculture and tourism industries there are also several manufacturing businesses located in Graham County which provide many jobs for local residents. These include companies such as Magma Copper Company which produces copper products for commercial use; Gila Valley Cotton Co which produces cotton products; Gila Valley Feed Company which produces feed for livestock; Clifton Dairy Products Co which manufactures dairy products; Pima Junction Foods Inc which processes food products; and Safford Lumber Co which manufactures lumber products.
The county government also plays an important role in Graham County’s economy through its various departments such as public works, health services and law enforcement agencies as well as providing services such as fire protection and emergency medical care. The county also operates a number of parks throughout Graham County where visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation activities such as camping or hiking along with other amenities like picnic areas or playgrounds for children to enjoy.
Overall, Graham County has a strong economic base that provides many opportunities for those looking for work or hoping to start their own business ventures in this beautiful part of Arizona. With its abundance of natural resources combined with its strong agricultural industry, manufacturing businesses and tourism sector it is no wonder why so many people choose to call this place home.
