Picacho peak state park is located 70 miles south of phoenix and 40 miles north of tucson along interstate 10. In february 1862, a band of 120 confederate rangers under capt. Through the ages, it has stood gaunt and grim above the desert floor, acting as a beacon to weary travelersmuch the same as chimney. The engagement was a tactical draw, as both sides withdrew from the. Picacho peak state park is actually home to a unique episode of civil war history. Best months to visit are november to april as summertime temperatures are. About 200 civil war reenacters come to picacho peak every year in march to pose the battles of valverde, glorietta pass and picacho pass. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak. The battle of picacho pass or the battle of picacho peak was an engagement of the american civil war on april 15, 1862. Pikes peak battle of the books is a voluntary program for 5th graders. Picacho mountains petroglyph sites, az hikearizona. The reenactments now have grown so large that many more participants tend to be involved than took part in the actual engagements, and.
Picacho peak s most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the civil war. Battle of picacho peak confederate pickets defeat union. This organization has been operating for approximately 21 years. There are grills, a dump station, restrooms, and showers. The action occurred around picacho peak, 50 miles northwest of tucson, arizona. This is on picacho road on the way into picacho state park.
In order to thwart this move, a 2,350strong, prounion column from california under col. Author of the book picacho pass arizonas civil war history larry hedrick tells the story of this historic battle. Picacho peak battlefield 2020 all you need to know. Mar 31, 2016 picacho peak state park location info. The picacho peak trading post, picacho peak, arizona, burned to the ground after an electrical problem started a fire on the night of november 16, according to investigators. The battle of picacho pass is a arizona civil war story. It is a major landmark in that part of the sonoran desert and can be seen from casa grande to northern tucson. Stormy sunset at picacho peak ill bet you didnt know until you stumbled across this little blog that tucson in 1862 was the western capital of the confederate arizona territory. Battle of the books welcome to the pikes peak battle of the books, a reading competition for 5th grade students. The trading post was a wellknown stop visible from i10 between phoenix and tucson. Picacho peak article about picacho peak by the free.
Mt march 16, 2016 picacho peak state park hosts hundreds of. Best months to visit are november to april as summertime temperatures are consistently over 100 degrees during the day. Study guidebattles of the civil war flashcards quizlet. The peak itself is the eroded remnant of a volcanic plug, which explains the solid stone walls which tower above interstate highway 10. Scenic picacho peak sits directly in front of you, its towering chimneylike presence dotted with saguro cactus that have lived in this area for hundreds of years. The action occurred around picacho peak, 50 miles 80 km northwest of tucson, arizona. Explore exhibits in the visitor center or browse for souvenirs. Az marks 150th anniversary of battle of picacho peak. The battle of picacho peak picacho pass in february 1862, a band of confederate rangers under capt. Before leaving, look around the merchandise packed shop and purchase a few souvenirs, a piece or two of indian handmade jewelry or one of the many fine gifts available there. All footage used to depict this story is actual footage from larry hedricks. Start studying study guidebattles of the civil war.
The most significant civil war battle in arizona took place near picacho peak in april of 1862, when an advance detachment of union forces from california attacked a confederate scouting party. This organization primarily operates in the gifts and novelties business industry within the miscellaneous retail sector. The civil war in the southwest trail at picacho peak state park interprets the 1862 skirmish at picacho pass as well as other events that occurred within the region during the southwestern campaign. Pearthree arizona geological survey openfile report 9918 september, 1999 scale 1. Picacho peaks most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the civil war. Picacho peak mystery follows the adventures of johnny blue, a retired widower working as a security guard for the central arizona project canal.
The westernmost battle of the civil war was fought on the rocky slopes of a volcanic spire 50 miles northwest of tucson. The word picacho is spanish for peak, and that is about all that it is, then and now. A2z computing services and make no warranties as to the accuracy of any information posted on. A recent trip to the deer valley rock art center made me aware of a significant cluster of petroglyphs located in the picacho mountains. Picacho peak is not a volcanic cone, but is part of a volcanic flow that has been partially eroded away. Battle of the books list 20192020 listed alphabetically by author. One of the goals of the program is to introduce students to a variety of literary genres.
This was the largest civil war clash to take place in arizona. Mar 12, 2015 thats the history part and my excuse for this post. Park history picacho peak state park arizona state parks. Apr 24, 2012 the word picacho is spanish for peak, and that is about all that it is, then and now. Carletons force was a mix of volunteer infantry and cavalry with a u. Discover battle of picacho pass monument in picacho, arizona. Take exit 219 and follow the brown signs to the park entrance. Sibley wanted a tripwire, says jim head, ranger at picacho peak state park, which hosts its annual civil war reenactment march 2122. It was fought between a union cavalry patrol from california and a party of confederate pickets from tucson, and 3 union soldiers were killed. A2z computing services and make no warranties as to the accuracy of any information posted on our history or trivia pages and discussions. It rises to an elevation of 4,954 feet 1,510 meters. A little bit of research on the web and i discovered that archeologists have catalogued more than 4000 petroglyphs at 19 distinct sites with some of the more spectacular displays located at the northern. Anderson applegate avi clements creech curtis dahl duprau ellis.
Picacho peak battlefield 2020 all you need to know before. Picacho peak collectibles in huntingdon valley, pa 215. On april 15, the westernmost battle of the american civil war was fought on the flanks of picacho peak, a rocky volcanic spire situated 50 miles northwest of a small sonoran town named tucson. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967 duration. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak, pinal connty, southern arizona by stephen m. About picacho peak state park visitors traveling along i10 in southern arizona cant miss the prominent 1,500foot peak of picacho peak state park. One of the first recordings was in the 1700s by the anza expedition as it passed through the area. Picacho peak is located just west of i10 about 60 miles south of phoenix 40 miles north of tuscon. Sherod hunter raised the stars and bars of tucson, arizona, part of an effort to create an oceantoocean confederacy.
Picacho peak state park parks directory of the united states state parks arizona location. The action occurred all around picacho peak, 50 miles 80 km northwest of tucson, arizona. A stone pillar marking the location of the westernmost battle of the american civil war only honors one side of the conflict. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak, pinal. Jan 29, 2014 also, according to the wikipedia page about the battle, every march, picacho peak state park hosts a reenactment of the civil war battles of arizona and new mexico, including the battle of picacho pass. It was fought between a union cavalry patrol from california and a party of confederate pickets. Spectators are welcome to tour the recreated military camps which will include demonstrations such as laundering, candle making, sewing, cooking and the fashions of the era. Sherod hunter occupied tucson, arizona as part of an effort to expand the border of the confederacy westward. From the far side of the false summit block it is a short stroll to the spectacular 1920ft summit of picacho peak 32 o 58. Picacho peak battlefield american battlefield trust. The summit rises to 3,374 feet 1,028 m above mean sea level. Picacho peak state park is a state park surrounding picacho peak in picacho, arizona. Civil war reenactment at picacho peak jane stclair.
It is best viewed from hiking the memorial loop inside the picacho state park where there are various memorial placards discussing the history of the area and battle. Some navigation in the desert with no water available. This photo from the web of the flowers at picacho peak, where my daughter and family are camping for the weekend with the boy scouts, there to see the wildflowers and the reenactment of the civil war battle at picacho peak. This peak, about 40 minutes northwest of tucson along interstate 10 marks the site of the westerlymost battle of the civil war. A brief overview of the 1862 battle of picacho peak, the only civil war battle in arizona territory.
Having climbed picacho peak on more than one occasion, ive been curious about accessing the mountain range on the east side of the i10. The unique shape of the 1,500foot picacho peak has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. Oct 26, 2010 stormy sunset at picacho peak ill bet you didnt know until you stumbled across this little blog that tucson in 1862 was the western capital of the confederate arizona territory. Picacho peak the state historian is defending confederate monuments at picacho peak and elsewhere as part of arizona history. The park is located between casa grande and tucson near interstate 10 in pinal county.
The real reason for this post is to boast about our hike up picacho peak. The true story of the battle of picacho pass part 2 youtube. Mt march 16, 2016 picacho peak state park hosts hundreds of reenactors march 1920. Picacho peak collectibles is located in huntingdon valley, pennsylvania. Also, according to the wikipedia page about the battle, every march, picacho peak state park hosts a reenactment of the civil war battles of arizona and new mexico, including the battle of picacho pass. Picacho peak site of arizonas largest civil war battle. Picacho peak, located south of the south end of the range, is also surrounded by alluvium, and consists of tertiary andesitic volcanic rocks.
Join larry hedrick as he relates how this historic event was made in a docudrama. You should reach the top about 3hr after starting out. Picacho peak article about picacho peak by the free dictionary. Picacho peak and the picacho mountains are separated by a gap of shallowly buried bedrock through which pass interstate 10, the southern pacific railroad, and the central arizona project canal. The photo to the left is where the canyon starts to narrow down. A visitor center, monument and interpretive signage and trails are located inside the park. Battle of picacho pass monument picacho, arizona atlas. The skirmish of picacho pass also known as the battle of picacho pass or peak was fought on april 15, 1862 near picacho peak, 50 miles 80 km northwest of tucson, arizona, usa. It was fought between a union cavalry patrol from california and a party of confederate pickets from tucson, and marks the westernmost battle of the american civil war. Picacho peak travel center bowlin travel centers, inc. Civil war battle at picacho peak notes from the west. Through the ages, it has stood gaunt and grim above the desert floor, acting as a beacon to weary travelersmuch the same as chi. Picacho peaks most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the.
See the battle of picacho pass alison stanton, special for the republic published 9. Picacho peak is now part of a state park known for its spectacular spring wildflowers, its pristine camping grounds, and its hiking trails. In 1862, this area was virtually deserted due to its natural desolation, and the fact that all union army troops had departed the previous year. Picacho peak state park has several campgrounds and picnic areas. Visiting picacho peak anyone who has driven between tucson and phoenix will know about picacho peak. The battle of picacho pass or the battle of picacho peak was an engagement of the american. Our battle of vicksburg page includes history articles, battle maps, photos, helpful web links, recommended books, and more on this important 1863 civil war battle in mississippi. Used by travelers as a landmark for centuries, picacho peak rises above the desert floor some 1500 feet 457 meters. Used as a landmark by travelers for centuries, picacho peak stands 1,500 feet above the desert floor. The gps route below is only to get you to the entrance of no name stream as we can no longer navigate this route with our fj cruiser. As of 20102014, the total picacho population is 330.
The view in all directions is breathtaking and the few sights of. History of the civil war and how it affected arizona history. When lincoln said, now are met on a great battlefield of that war, i bet he didnt picture us 150 years later sitting on the side of picacho peak. The battle of picacho peak was more a skirmish than a battle. More than 150 reenactors from the southwestern area camp at picacho peak state park. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in the spring, overlook a sea of wildflowers. On april 15, 1862, more than 20 soldiers duked it out in a. Probably the most notable historic event in the area occurred in 1862 when confederate and union soldiers skirmished in the battle of picacho pass.
This is a family oriented event and will have handicap access. Home book list tshirts registration dates resources contact regional battle scores meeting minutes 20192020 book list. About fortyfive miles north of tucson, a large, red, volcanic plug rises almost a thousand feet in the air, marking the end of a small range of rugged mountains and the beginning of the arid, sandy santa cruz valley. The park has many hiking trails, a playground, historical markers, campground, picnic areas, ramadas. Student teams read up to 40 books over the course of the school year and then compete at colorado college by answering questions about the books in 3 rounds of questions. The book titles are selected with reading level and maturity in mind. The westernmost battle of the civil war was fought about 45 miles north of tucson, arizona, in the shadow of a mountain called picacho peak. Learn more about grants victorius vicksburg campaign. Eloy, az about an hours drive south of phoenix along i10 eastbound to tucson, a singular mountain peak rises from the desert floor on the south side of the interstate. In the mid1800s, a wagon road was constructed and later stage coach traffic carried travelers through picacho pass. Its centerpiece spire is visible from downtown tucson, a distance of 45 miles 72 km.
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