Welcome to Southeastern Arizona, a great place to visit and live! 
 

 

General Area Information
  Things To Do in Willcox
  U-Pick Farms & Festivals
  Places To See in Willcox
  Population
  Community Facilities
  Principal Economic Activities
  Willcox City Map

 

 

General Area Information

Willcox is located in the Southeastern portion of Arizona, in the northern half of Cochise County on I-10.  Nestled at the northern end of the Sulphur Springs Valley near the Dos Cabezas and Chiricahua Mountains at an elevation of 4,167 feet Willcox is considered high desert which gives us Arizona's best year round temperate climate without the extreme summer heat of Tucson, Phoenix and Yuma.  Established in 1880 and incorporated in 1915 Willcox is the trade center for the northern portion of Cochise County.  Located only 80 miles from Tucson, 75 miles from Mexico and 40 miles to New Mexico it is well placed for trade and shipping of products.

Once known as the Cattle Capital of the nation, Willcox was in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the old west.  With the railroad going through the center of town it was an ideal location for the shipment of not only cattle but any type of goods produced in the area that were shipped throughout the United States.  Incoming trains brought goods that were needed in the northern part of the county.  Fort Bowie and the local mining community of Dos Cabezas had many of their supplies come in via the railroad.  The rough and tumble old west can be felt throughout the town and some of it's old building, most of which are located on Railroad Avenue.  The colorful history of the cowboy and the cattle that he lived with can be seen at the Hall of Fame which is located at the Rex Allen Cowboy Museum.

Southeastern Arizona is considered the birding capital of the world and just outside of Willcox you will find the Playa, an ancient seabed that is the winter home of a large group of Sandhill Cranes.  Numerous other birds are found in this area also and in the nearby mountains.  The Chiricahua Mountains is where you will see the Elegant Trogan.  It's an easy drive to all of the premier birding spots, Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy which is famous for it's hummingbirds, Madera Canyon, Portal and the San Pedro Riparian Area National Conservation Area.  You can obtain more information on birding in Cochise County by "going here".

"The Magic Circle of Cochise" begins in Willcox and consists of a large loop through the valley.  Thus named because this was the homeland of the Chiricahua Apache and their great chief Cochise.  Within this circle you have the Chiricahua National Monument and the "Wonderland of Rocks", an area of the Coronado National Forest containing some truly astonishing rock formations.  Old Fort Bowie a National Historic Park can be reached after a medium hike.  Here you will find the remains of the Fort which was an important outpost during the Apache conflicts.  The Amerind Foundation of Archaeological Research has a Museum that houses an exquisite prehistoric collection. The privately collected ancient artifacts, costumes and weapons are worthy of a lingering perusal. There is also an Art Gallery that contains sculptures and  paintings.  Cochise Stronghold is located in the Dragoon Mountains, a  veritable fortress of large rocks and canyons.  This is part of the Coronado National Forest and somewhere within it's boundaries is where Cochise is buried.  This was a natural fortress that the Chiricahua Apache used and his warriors buried him within it....the location is unknown.  

 

         Places to See in Willcox

Museum of the Southwest - Housed in the Willcox Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, the museum commemorates the history of the local area. Chamber office (520) 384-2272.

The Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and the Cowboy Hall of Fame - In historic downtown Willcox on Railroad Avenue. The museum houses memorabilia of the famous cowboy, movie star and entertainer, Rex Allen. The Cowboy Hall of Fame is a portrait gallery of local cattlemen and women. Museum office (520) 384-4583.

Old Willcox Cemetery - For those old west history buffs you will find several notable headstones here, one of which is Warren Earp, the brother of the famous Tombstone Marshall Wyatt Earp.

Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center - Located downtown in two historic storefront buildings, this large collection of interesting artifacts will take you back as far as 10,000 years.  Don't miss the excellent Geronimo and Chiricahua Apache exhibits. (520) 384-3971

 

 Coming soon - Marty Robbins Museum - Willcox will soon be the home of the extensive collection of memorabilia of the legendary Marty Robbins, who loved our town, the fictional setting for his hit song "Big Iron on His Hip"

 

 

 

Things To Do in Willcox        

Wings Over Willcox - The third weekend of January.  This event is a celebration of the Sandhill Cranes who winter over on the Playa and feed daily in the local fields of the Sulphur Springs Valley.  The event includes tours of the prime bird watching areas, mining and ranch operations, geology and archaeology tours, a trade show, seminars, workshops on "The Birds of Southeastern Arizona" and a banquet.  This event is getting more popular each year so get your reservations in early!  Southeastern Arizona is considered the birding capitol of the world.

Miniature Art Show - The whole month of February at the Willcox Chamber of Commerce.

A Tribute to Marty Robbins - Concerts and Activities to honor Marty Robbins held in Mid March.  83rd Annual Tribute - March 7, 2009 at Willcox High School.  Call 520-766-1404 for more information.

JR Rodeo - The second weekend of April at Quail Drive Sportspark.

Southeastern Arizona Fine Arts Show - The last weekend in April

Willcox Annual Car Show - This very large show has brought the finest of artists in every medium for many years to Willcox.  Held the end of May annually.

W.A.S.A. (Willcox Against Substance Abuse) Youth Summer Program - A whole summer full of fun for just $5.00!  Choose one or all of the many planned activities that include hiking, sports camps (basketball, tennis, football, cheerleading, soccer, wrestling, etc,), choir, karate, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, videography, drama, fieldtrips, fishing and much, much more.

Warren Earp Western Heritage Days - in July.  Please call: (520) 384-2272

A Tribute to Marty Robbins - First part of September.  Call (520) 384-2272

Rex Allen Days - The first weekend of October.  Rex Allen was born and raised in Willcox and considered Willcox his "hometown".  Willcox honors him by celebrating Rex Allen Days.  Some of the events are an induction ceremony and dinner for the Willcox Cowboy of Fame, parade, softball tournament, turtle race, rodeo, Rex Allen Jr. Stage Show, country music concert, western dances, tractor pull, car show, country fair, carnival and many other activities.

Tractor Pulls and Antique Engine Shows - One show at Rex Allen Days (1st weekend of October) and one the second weekend of June.

LCO BETA Holiday House - The Friday before Thanksgiving, you will find wonderful handcrafted items, baked goods and more, just in time for the Holidays.

Christmas Apple Festival - The first weekend in December.  It includes a fabulous bazaar, local entertainment, a lighted Christmas parade on Saturday evening and much more.

 

 

U-Pick Farms and Festivals

Northwest of Willcox you will find the states largest assortment of direct sales farms.  They offer nuts, vegetables, meats, honey, jellies, baked goods and great family farm experiences including petting zoos, hayrides and U-pick fruit and vegetables.  Most of the farms are open daily June through November.  There are festivals at many locations including the following:

Sweet Corn Festival - Mid to late July

Peach Mania Festival - Weekends Mid July through end of August

Labor Day Weekend Apple Festival - September

Grandparents Weekend & Antique Tractor Show - Mid September

Cider Sippin Celebration - Weekend in late September

Annual Harvest Festival - Every Weekend in October

Fall Pumpkin Celebration - Month of October

 

          Principal Economic Activities

Cattle are still an important aspect of the economy, and a large livestock auction is held every Thursday morning in Willcox.  Row crops such as corn, cotton and small grains as well as alfalfa hay are grown extensively in the area.  Diversification of agriculture has resulted in establishment of apple orchards, pistachio and pecan groves, grape vineyards and state-of-the-art greenhouses with over 200 acres in tomato production.  A well established "U-Pick" industry provides fresh produce for all of southern Arizona with many festivals and delicious farm fresh baked goods and products.  Tourists have an important impact on the city's economy.  With a mild, year-round climate, relatively inexpensive land and housing, and a pleasant rural lifestyle, Willcox is a desirable retirement community.  Our small community boasts excellent schools and is a safe and friendly place to raise a family as well.

 

Population      

	2000	2006
Willcox	3,733	3,910
Cochise County	117,755	135,150
*Local sources estimate the trade area population at 20,000 Sources.  Arizona Department of Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau.

 

        Community Facilities

Willcox offers a broad range of community facilities including a library, Olympic-size pool, community center with meeting facilities, historic Railroad Avenue, a nine-hole golf course, and tennis courts.  There are also five parks with ramadas and playground equipment, and athletic facilities that include lighted baseball/softball fields, a basketball court and a soccer field. 

Communication - Local newspaper The Arizona Range News Tucson and Phoenix  newspapers as well as local AM and FM radio stations and four Tucson television channels via antenna; numerous stations are available via cable and/or satellite.

Educational - Willcox Unified School District (public elementary school, middle school, high school), and two private schools.  School enrollment is more than 1,500 students.  Cochise College has an extension campus where an associate arts degree is available.  Northern Arizona University offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

Medical - One hospital with 24 beds, two nursing homes, six physicians, one dentist, three chiropractors, one optometrist and two veterinarians.  Northern Cochise Community Hospital is a critical access hospital and sponsors two rural health clinics as well as holds regular Visiting Specialist Clinics right here in Willcox.

Financial - There are four financial institutions with local branch offices in Willcox.

Governmental - The City of Willcox is governed by a mayor, six council members and a city manager, and is served by the sheriff's department, the Department of Public Safety, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the local police department.  The fire department has 20 volunteers and six full-time paramedics.

Airport - Cochise County Airport which has one lighted, paved 6,100-ft runway, UNICOM radio, fuel and maintenance.

Utilities -

Electric	Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative	520-384-2221
Natural Gas	Municipal	520-384-4271
	Southwest Gas Corporation	520-384-4378
Butane/Propane	Cochise County Farmers Association	520-384-2242
Telephone	Valley Telephone Coop, Inc.	520-384-2231
	U.S. West Communications	520-670-2400
Water & Sewer	Municipal	520-384-4271

 

Lodging and Meeting Facilities
There are 15 motels (one currently being remodeled and one under construction), 10 mobile home/trailer parks, 3 RV parks, and numerous facilities including the Quail Drive Sports Park Rodeo Arena, Willcox Community Center and High School Auditorium, with seating capacity up to 900.

 

 

This information is presented by Willcox Real Estate Co.