How the Old West On Lives in Sierra Vista

The Old West may be romanticized in movies, but life in the 1800s Arizona Territory actually involved a dusty stagecoach ride, dingy saloons, and questionable boarding houses. Today, the Wild West is actually a vacation destination and Sierra Vista’s deep-rooted history provides insight into daily life during those challenging times. Whether you simply visit or start searching for Sierra Vista homes for sale, the city’s attractions are a window into the history of the Southwest.

Military history

Early Arizona settlers in the 1800s were a mixture of ranchers, cowboys, miners, drifters and gunslingers. At the same time, Cochise County was under control of the Chiracauha Apache. As a result, conflict with Chief Cochise and warrior Geronimo lasted for decades. In the 1870s and 1880s, Geronimo and his band repeatedly led raids on settlers. When the U.S. Army was unable to capture Geronimo, it eventually established Fort Huachuca in 1877. Even though Sierra Vista was not named at the time, the region’s military outpost played a crucial role in the Wild West.

Old West attractions

Sierra Vista residents and guests can learn about the region’s rich history by visiting the Fort Huachuca Museum and the Old Post Cemetery. The museum showcases the story of the U.S. Army in the Southwest, including early days at the post, the black army regiments called Buffalo Soldiers, and conflicts with Native Americans. The Old Post Cemetery is the historic memorial grounds of Fort Huachuca and tells the story of generations of families from Southeastern Arizona Territory.

Festivals and entertainment

Every February, Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering celebrates Sierra Vista’s Old West history. This nationally acclaimed gathering honors traditional Western heritage through song and poetry and attracts nearly 5,000 attendees per year.

At Castle & Cooke, we are proud of our contribution to Sierra Vista and the surrounding Cochise County area. As new home builders in Arizona, we not only build neighborhoods, we build communities that support Sierra Vista residents. To learn more about our residential and commercial building, please call (520) 378-5110.