The City of Benson, Arizona serves as the Gateway to Cochise County where visitors can enjoy the town's Old West atmosphere, and unique natural features. Benson was founded in 1880 just before Arizona's mining boom, and developed as a stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage mail delivery route.

The City of Benson, Arizona serves as the Gateway to Cochise County where visitors can enjoy the town's Old West atmosphere, and unique natural features. Benson was founded in 1880 just before Arizona's mining boom, and developed as a stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage mail delivery route.

Many people searching for wealth or a better way of life have set their sights on southern Arizona. During the 16th century, Spain was seeking gold and riches in the vast territory north of Mexico City, and sent Francisco Vasquez de Coronado on an expedition to confirm rumors of seven glittering cities of gold and jewels.

Many people searching for wealth or a better way of life have set their sights on southern Arizona. During the 16th century, Spain was seeking gold and riches in the vast territory north of Mexico City, and sent Francisco Vasquez de Coronado on an expedition to confirm rumors of seven glittering cities of gold and jewels.

In the southeast corner of Arizona, volcanic peaks tower above the surrounding desert grasslands. The Apaches called this isolated mountain range the land of standing-up rocks. Today scientists consider the Chiricahua Mountains a sky island of immense biological diversity.

In the southeast corner of Arizona, volcanic peaks tower above the surrounding desert grasslands. The Apaches called this isolated mountain range the land of standing-up rocks. Today scientists consider the Chiricahua Mountains a sky island of immense biological diversity.

Fort Bowie now stands as a window into history. As a site of the National Park Service, Fort Bowie gives visitors a chance to visit this important historical rest-stop. The experience takes visitors on a path to view the Fort Bowie ruins, a Butterfield Stage Coach Station, and even the spring at Apache Pass.

Fort Bowie now stands as a window into history. As a site of the National Park Service, Fort Bowie gives visitors a chance to visit this important historical rest-stop. The experience takes visitors on a path to view the Fort Bowie ruins, a Butterfield Stage Coach Station, and even the spring at Apache Pass.

Images of stark, silhouetted buttes and vast expanses of desert, and of course the ever present Saguaro cactus, have filled the television and movie screens both here in the United States and abroad. You can still find working cowboys and cowgirls, as well as Native Americans on landscapes reminiscent of yesteryear.

Images of stark, silhouetted buttes and vast expanses of desert, and of course the ever present Saguaro cactus, have filled the television and movie screens both here in the United States and abroad. You can still find working cowboys and cowgirls, as well as Native Americans on landscapes reminiscent of yesteryear.