The legends of the American West — from Indian wars and massacres, to outlaw gangs and the struggles of settlers — come alive in the history of east-central Arizona. The forests, grasslands, mountain peaks and deep canyons have been witness to lost civilizations, conquistadors, Mountain Men and explorers. Cavalrymen battled the warriors of Geronimo and other famous Indian chiefs. Texas cowboys murdered Hispanic sheepherders. Mormons clashed with other settlers over land and the practice of polygamy.
Zane Grey, who did more than anyone to create the image of the Old West, visited regularly to collect material for his novels. But the rich details of the region’s history are more powerful than fiction.
For thousands of years, bands of native people struggled to live in the wildly beautiful but harsh environment with its unforgiving climate. The Desert Culture became the Anasazi and Mogollon civilizations, which in turn produced the Hopi and Zuni tribes. The Kachina religion of the Pueblos started in the area.
After wandering through North America for 10,000 years, some Apache bands began to spend most of their time in the White Mountains, gathering plants and hunting game.
Coronado, searching for the legendary seven cities of gold, found hardship and death in the desolate White Mountains and moved on. His countrymen fought the Apaches unsuccessfully for centuries. The region was still inaccessible to Europeans when Mexico ceded title to the Americans in 1848. Fur trappers and explorers came to the area, but moved on quickly.
