tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post4136410279806824130..comments2024-03-25T07:27:23.874-07:00Comments on Places That Were: A City in Ruins: Willcox, ArizonaPlacesThatWerehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906573012383225740noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-34993317610814275022024-03-08T09:18:38.032-08:002024-03-08T09:18:38.032-08:00Jim, both of my parents graduated Willcox High in ...Jim, both of my parents graduated Willcox High in about 1963, Tonna Bean and Robbie Robison. My great-grandmother Artie Mae Robison owned and operated the Bob's Home Cafe for decades. My grandmother Pauline Bean taught school in Willcox. My grandfather Waymon Bean was the Justice of the Peace. I spent many childhood visits in town. Tanya Tucker and Rex Allen were local heroes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-81997798549943199902023-06-22T10:31:06.553-07:002023-06-22T10:31:06.553-07:00Back in the Mid 70”s to mid 80”s the Desert Rose w...Back in the Mid 70”s to mid 80”s the Desert Rose was call The Cactus Kitchen…. My dad owned it.. I was born and raised in Wilcox till I was 9…. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-47908731271453165852022-06-13T11:41:13.669-07:002022-06-13T11:41:13.669-07:00I was the Schwan man in Wilcox from 94-99 . I love...I was the Schwan man in Wilcox from 94-99 . I loved my time there . People were fantastic . I stayed overnight at the Desert Inn until they were sold . Ate at the Desert Rose and the truck stop normally . I thought it was pretty cool little town . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-60380542118200126442022-04-06T15:26:27.668-07:002022-04-06T15:26:27.668-07:00Thank you and blessings in your endeavors in revit...Thank you and blessings in your endeavors in revitalizing this quaint small little town.thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-47003019372116011372022-01-11T06:03:56.782-08:002022-01-11T06:03:56.782-08:00My sister has been living in Willcox for 30yrs, an...My sister has been living in Willcox for 30yrs, and our family has lived in Sierra Vista, Duncan, Safford,<br />Clifton and Phoenix. We are the rare, AZ natives and I love all parts of AZ. A good friend started the restoration of the Sands Motel and bar, along with other properties, but came into disagreement with the local "boys" and turned his back on his plans. Unfortunate. Cool buildings and history. If you get that<br />close to Willcox, try to go down to Douglas for more history.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06160172350258722944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-23565143321957830972021-12-11T16:03:04.168-08:002021-12-11T16:03:04.168-08:00I would love to scout around. Some of my relatives...I would love to scout around. Some of my relatives crossed over from Mexico During the Revolution and one of their stop was Willcox Arizona. My grandmother's aunt decided that if she could sell some stones which were black diamonds she could get a projector and make a little movie house in Willcox for republic. She did this. I just wish I knew which building it wasAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17407208647565967405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-36887559854574058682021-04-18T23:31:49.235-07:002021-04-18T23:31:49.235-07:00While Willcox is known for its railroad and ranchi...While Willcox is known for its railroad and ranching history, it also played a role in Arizona's mining history. The town served as a railhead for the mining operations at Dos Cabezas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as mentioned in the below article. <br /><br />https://tucson.com/news/local/mine-tales-dos-cabezas-was-mining-hotbed/article_f0e8eeae-63f6-52b8-82fa-8c72e9149a3d.html<br /><br />One of the region's eminent historians was Orville Mickens who operated the Frontier Relics Museum off State Highway 186 in Dos Cabezas (circa 1980s-2007) 14 miles south of Willcox. I was fortunate to tour his museum on many occasions during my trips out to the Chiricahua Mountains. He had many stories to tell of frontier Arizona. He collected a wide range of relics in the area since the 1940s including opium bottles barbed wire, cast-iron toys, blacksmith tools, mining crucibles, minerals, saloon tokens, rifles, pistols and a variety of military collectibles dating back to the Apache Wars. Some of his most exceptional finds included a loaded rocket from the era of Pancho Villa, a brass Spanish conquistador stirrup from 1540 and a 1950 Cadillac in the back of the barn that he offered for sale at $15,000. I conducted a video interview with him back in 2005 and gave it to the local historical society titled "Frontier Relics". Below is an article summarizing Orville's life and local contributions. Orville and his wife Mardell were cordial and knowledgeable about the area and their presence along the way from Willcox to the Chiricahua Mountains is greatly missed. <br /> <br />https://tucson.com/news/local/orville-mickens-old-west-collector-avidly-pursued-past/article_6dddfd2c-2dba-5393-a002-d5eba296ce70.html<br />William Ascarzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04296727269115524158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-90607527413214038112021-02-06T14:57:01.872-08:002021-02-06T14:57:01.872-08:00I lived and worked in Willcox for 2 years in 1975 ...I lived and worked in Willcox for 2 years in 1975 & 1976. For those 2 years I was the Morning DJ on KHIL 1250. Also helped put what was than KWCX 98.3 FM on the air. Mr. Burkett Wamsley, his wife Ebby Wansley and their son Cody Wamsley were the owners of the radio stations. Mr. Darrel Wilson was the station program and music director. High school student Carlos Ibarra worked part time at KHIL. He filled in for the regular DJ's and did a show on KWCX FM on the Weekends. I was friend with Dale Sidell, Dick's son. Carter's A&W had the best hamburgers in town. I-10 did take away business from downtown. I still remember doing the Remote Broadcast with Burk at the 'New' Pizza Hut when it opened. Those were good days at KHIL Radio and Willcox.John S Dressernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-49150811852629256032020-12-23T15:48:55.536-08:002020-12-23T15:48:55.536-08:00IMO the reason why Willcox is dying, and tourists ...IMO the reason why Willcox is dying, and tourists don’t want to visit is because the town is too obsessed with an (in my opinion) obscure country singer (Rex Allen). I had never heard of him before moving to AZ, and when I finally heard one of his songs, my first thought was “he is not as good as that town thinks he is”, which is a bad sign for the town. They need to actually try to promote more that just him, like how a much more famous old west lawman died in Willcox, or a few of the other well known people who were either born or raised there, such as Chalky White, Tanya Tucker, or Ted DiBiase. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Willcox, or Rex Allen. I just think the town is too obsessed with him.Jason Chappellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230132917099226760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-38025613365632001282020-05-23T10:35:47.447-07:002020-05-23T10:35:47.447-07:00Will do!Will do!joeblowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459097418070910710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-72117463861591921752020-05-23T10:34:39.661-07:002020-05-23T10:34:39.661-07:00Great post, Unknown!
I haven't been there for...Great post, Unknown!<br /><br />I haven't been there for years now, but i used to pass through every now and then. Is the "commercial store" you mentioned that old fashioned style department store on Main Street, or whatever the street is, that i used to look in through the window as it was already closed, first in the late 1980's I think? It looked like the silent movie glimpses I've seen of old department stores.joeblowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459097418070910710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-81170784121745132192019-12-29T13:13:58.917-08:002019-12-29T13:13:58.917-08:00https://www.loopnet.com/arizona/willcox-commercial...https://www.loopnet.com/arizona/willcox-commercial-real-estate/Dave Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747731091769034806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-73020935449709967692019-12-01T02:29:34.928-08:002019-12-01T02:29:34.928-08:00I moved from California to Willcox in the 8th grad...I moved from California to Willcox in the 8th grade. My step father had bought a Crop dusting business. I left the day after I graduated high school. I came back once maybe 13 yrs later to visit my mother. I have few good memories about these yrs. except one.... Happy Morales and Kim Bridges. I am not surprised at the downturn Willcox has experienced. Erich Seitznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-77686032988047087702019-11-30T15:05:04.849-08:002019-11-30T15:05:04.849-08:00My parents took us to Willcox in 1959. Their best ...My parents took us to Willcox in 1959. Their best friends lived there and owned the Ohio motel.<br />It was definitely an old town but it also was quite Old west.the motel was outside of town. My husband and I went there a few years ago and of course I just had to look for it. The Ridgeway reminded me of it. I Justreally remember the views out front of it. The mountains were fantastic right in front of the hotel. Remember I asked my dad, I was 9 years old, if we could go climb the mountain. He said that "mountain is much farther away than it looks," so I never got to it. curious if you remember that hotel and if any of the old buildings are the hotel. Thank you so muchAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04144796693419876894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-77597169006444067832019-06-30T15:38:39.027-07:002019-06-30T15:38:39.027-07:00Loving az history stumbling upon your article and ...Loving az history stumbling upon your article and enjoying the history shared by those who knew it best in all their comments. I truly felt like I was right there with them enjoying root beer and a burger. Thanks to all of you! All of you brought the town of Wilcox home to me! I don't think any of you are assholes though there's at least one commentator who does come off as being somewhat of a challenge to find "likeable". Luamnerenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-56201400903034670272019-06-27T17:09:41.105-07:002019-06-27T17:09:41.105-07:00If you're on Facebook and interested in what&#...If you're on Facebook and interested in what's going on in Willcox please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/WillcoxAZ/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-91719592001995189852019-05-20T01:04:18.370-07:002019-05-20T01:04:18.370-07:00That would be awesome the old chevy building would...That would be awesome the old chevy building would be a neat place for something like that!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14183201802140187069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-8592044098887286072019-05-20T01:01:17.425-07:002019-05-20T01:01:17.425-07:00I also forgot to mention that we have a race track...I also forgot to mention that we have a race track as well hidden in the outskirts of town which brings in alot of people for their many events!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14183201802140187069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-56727801718671075812019-05-20T00:59:39.598-07:002019-05-20T00:59:39.598-07:00The road you pulled in on was at one time the high...The road you pulled in on was at one time the highway. Alot of that side of town died when I10 bypassed the town. Many of those building also suffered major damage when that side of town completely flooded back in the 80's. The other side of town is much newer filled with lots of hotels and dining. My granparents bought the old a&w in back in the late forties and changed it to Carter's Drive inn. They were also featured in Arizona Highways at one point. I don't know many people from willcox who didnt at one point work for my grandparents. Sometimes i wondered how they ever made a living feeding all the youth. Handing out free ice cream and burgers. But the town loved them. Many children use to play on the "Papa burger, Mama burger, and Teen Burger" statues. When they sold in 95 the place went down hill. Back in willcox's glory days it was the only place to buy feed in the county because of the train stop. We at one point had 5 car dealerships. The cool thing to do in town was to drive main street. Now most of our jobs /new comers are bought in by boarder patrol and the massive tomato plant that spans several miles. We also are home to Apple Annie's apples & produce (great place to visit if you make it back).Max :)http://gameday.lifeinfoapp.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-21673528129958307292019-04-13T19:08:24.882-07:002019-04-13T19:08:24.882-07:00I lived in Willcox from 85- 87. I helped install t...I lived in Willcox from 85- 87. I helped install the fiber optic that went thru town and then out along I 10 toward Bisbee. When we finished installing the fiber, the out of state company moved on and I too moved with them. I miss Willcox, many of the old building shown were thriving back in the late 80's. I plan on visiting Willcox this summer with my wife.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03260165084245508535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-12010182011293038152019-04-13T18:13:18.929-07:002019-04-13T18:13:18.929-07:00I lived in Willcox from 1985 to 1987. I worked on ...I lived in Willcox from 1985 to 1987. I worked on an apple farm outside of town that was owned by Rex Allen Jr and also worked in the old gas station that was shown. I eventually took a job placing fiber optics when it came thru Willcox and sadly, I moved on with the company out of OKC OK. I left my 1st wife and step-daughter there when I left. To this day my ex still lives there with her brother who both are part of the police and volunteer fire dept in Willcox. I loved hocking in the Graham mountains and exploring the old dry lake outside of town. The view at night of the mountains was awesome, especially for a young man from Mississippi. I hope to visit Willcox again. From what I have been told, Willcox is moving upward.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03260165084245508535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-76064469540518231792019-02-26T20:35:54.381-08:002019-02-26T20:35:54.381-08:00I use to visit my grandparents and lived there a l...I use to visit my grandparents and lived there a little while my grandparents last name was catano and uncles jesse rudy and danny catanoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-60602201374583198552019-02-24T21:53:15.114-08:002019-02-24T21:53:15.114-08:00When I drove thru the Wilcox area back in the late...When I drove thru the Wilcox area back in the late 70's early 80's the A&W was one of my favorite stops. They made the best hamburgers. THey also had a rare "B" rating on their County inspection Card that restaurants used to have to display in the windows. I figured they got a B because they never cleaned the grill and that was what made the hamburgers so tasty.That's me in the cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03913854514034014703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-86725395325771223902018-11-27T06:15:46.559-08:002018-11-27T06:15:46.559-08:00My family loved your restaurant. It was a great pl...My family loved your restaurant. It was a great place to go with our family. My dad always asked for root beer and you would make sure to have some fun him. Prom night with our group of friends was a great time.Danielle & Charles Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043172405544038805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398633296962611892.post-15249383371453837932018-08-09T20:17:51.773-07:002018-08-09T20:17:51.773-07:00I have lived in Willcox for 48 years. My parents m...I have lived in Willcox for 48 years. My parents moved here in 1970 from Ohio. I had gone to school with the same kids all my life but graduated from Willcox High in 1970. I didn't get a very warm welcome in school mainly because I wore a dress like I had in Ohio. After that first day I went to the Commercial Store, and bought boots wrangled, and T-shirts, after that that's all I wore to school. I adopted the rodeo girl competitions as well and did very well considering I had never done any thing like that in Ohio. I had horses back in Ohio so I could at least ride before we moved here. I don't tell anyone anymore that I'm from Ohio, I have lived in Willcox longer now. My parents are buried here so I will never leave. My daughter died in the Bisbee mine during a Halloween event. So here I will stay, and will die. This little town is part of me now. My husband and I are owners of the Rural Fire Dept. We know almost everyone around here. I taught reading at the Elementary School here too. I worked at our hospitol as an E.R. nurse years ago. I've worked at almost every thing here. It's home.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06840817017982602081noreply@blogger.com