Historic Highways
Historic Highways: Legends of the West on Old US 80
By Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown

Route of Old US 80 red, this article green

A few weeks after exploring the western Arizona route of old US 80, we set out again from Phoenix to follow the eastern segment, a road that zig-zags over more north-to-south mileage than east-to-west. At Florence Junction, we turned south from present day US 60 onto Arizona SR 79. We also traveled I-10, SR 77 and SR 80 on the trail of this historic highway. Officially, US 80 disappeared from Arizona in 1989 and at present extends no farther west than Dallas.

Superstition Mountain loomed large in the rear view mirror as we headed across the sandy Sonoran Desert under clear February skies. Good-sized palo verde and mesquite trees dotted the flat terrain, with saguaro and chain-link cholla cacti interspersed here and there.

We soon crossed the Gila River, or at least its bed. Upstream diversion dams leave Arizona’s second river just a wide dry wash here at Florence. We passed the Funky Monkey Pub on the right, then the state prison on the left – the town’s main industry. South of town the highway is designated Pinal Pioneer Parkway. A few

Cross at Holy Trinity Monastery, Saint David, AZ, by jkbrown

miles on, the Tom Mix Monument marks the spot where the first big western movie star died when he crashed his Cord into a wash that bears his name.

As the flat desert gave way to gentle hills and deeper washes, the highway curved into Oracle Junction and merged into SR 77. The spires of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains dominated the view to the east as we entered the northern urban reaches of greater Tucson. We had gotten a late start on the day, so we located a BLM campground west of Tucson for the night.

The first 20 miles of our route to the south is now I-10. At that point an early segment of US 80 now called Marsh Station Road winds for 10 miles along Pantano Wash. Then we were back on I-10 for another 15 miles to Benson, an old railroad town. We left the US 80 route here to stay at nearby Kartchner Caverns State Park. The spectacular and pristine caverns are the newest cave attraction in the country and well worth a visit.

The Losers of the OK Corral Shootout, Boot Hill, Tombstone, AZ, by jkbrown

Back on the highway 80 route again, this time SR 80 south of Benson, we encountered an unlikely sight in the town of Saint David: a 50 foot tall Celtic cross towering above the trees. We stopped to investigate. The cross identifies the Benedictine Community at Holy Trinity Monastery, where they run a book store and sell pecans.

Leaving the orchards of the San Pedro River valley behind, we climbed into desolate hills, gaining nearly a thousand feet. Next stop Boot Hill, at the north end of Tombstone. It’s not a large cemetery, but it’s certainly unique. Every grave is topped by a mound of stones. Each has a wooden marker identifying the deceased and the circumstances of their demise. Death by natural causes is exceedingly rare at Boot Hill. Among the permanent residents are the Clantons and McLaurys, who had the misfortune of facing the Earps and Doc Holliday at the OK Corral.

Texas Kate in Tombstone, AZ, by jkbrown

In Tombstone proper, you can tour the OK Corral if you pay the admission. You can also see a Wild West show at the Crystal Palace. We were content to watch the goings on along Toughnut Street, including Texas Kate hawking the show while riding her horse standing in the saddle. My small canine companion, Timmy, got a little excited about all of the big critters around. I had to keep him on a short leash.

Continuing south and still climbing we skirted the brown Mule Mountains, various rock formations adding interest to the sparsely vegetated landscape. Abruptly the scene changed to live oak and juniper as we entered a canyon that quickly led us through a tunnel to Mule Pass Gulch and Old Bisbee.

Bisbee prospered in the late 19^th century with the rich Copper Queen Mine, at one time becoming the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. As the ore played out, the city avoided the fate of many boom-and-bust mining towns by preserving its Victorian architectural heritage and attracting tourists and a thriving artist colony. We strolled the old streets for a couple of hours, enjoying the historical ambiance. Before leaving, we stopped by the Lavender Pit -- an immense, gaping wound in the earth, the legacy of open pit copper mining.

Mining town of Bisbee, AZ, by jkbrown

Old US 80 continued southeast to Douglas at the Mexican border, before turning north for an 80-mile segment that eventually turned east again on the I-10 route in New Mexico. However, we had reached the end of a day trip from our camp at Kartchner Caverns. I hope to drive the rest of the US 80 route one day and to continue our Historic Highways series. For now other RV travel adventures will occupy us for the coming months.

Route 66: Lonely Planet Road Trip Get your RV kicks on Route 66. Most of it is easily negotiated by RVs of all sizes. This pocket-sized book is crammed full of useful information plus maps and more.	Blue Highways Join William Least Heat-Moon on his 13,000-mile journey along the back roads of America. First published in 1982, the author’s account of his journey has become a classic, an inspiration to all who love to travel the back roads of America.	The New Roadside America This is it! The guide to goofy America. Learn what’s along the back roads – giant statues, huge balls of twice, flying pigs, live rattlesnakes, muffler men, mermaids and much more.