Graham County Arizona - info, facts, communities

The area is mostly high desert plains with mountains. Year-round water is found in this area which is not common in the state. The Gila River, Bonita Creek and numerous underground water flows all contribute to this uniqueness. Because of the combination of water, mountains and desert, this area is called a transition area between major biomes. In a transition area, both sets of plant and animal life appear. Graham County has a wide variety of animal and bird life. It is also designated as a Riparian area, one of only two in the country. A Riparian area is one near running water which supports water loving plants, water birds and amphibians.

Location:

Graham County is located in southeastern Arizona. It is bordered on the north by Apache and Navaho Counties. On the West, it shares the border with Gila County and a very small portion of Pima County. To the south is Cochise County and on the east is Greenlee County.

Genealogy:

US GenWeb Project page for Graham County

The Graham County Courthouse does not contain any Birth, Marriage, or Death Records. These may be obtained from The Division of Records and Statistics, State Department of Health, Phoenix, 85007. They have birth and death records available since that July 1909. And also, similar records originating in the county seat since 1887

Cemeteries of Graham County

History:

This area has an early Indian heritage with many village sites, burial grounds and mounds. It was the last refuge for Indian chief, Geronimo, where the US Government fought battles with him and his warriors until he was captured.

The next influx of settlers came around the mid-1800's when Mormon settlers came into the area to establish towns and settlements. They worked the land and brought irrigation to the area which helped them to create permanent homes and communities. Once the water was channeled, many others began to come to live. Spanish settlers from Mexico came up around the 1870's and settled in an area north of Safford which they named Sanchez after Lorenzo Sanchez, one of the early pioneers.

Graham county was established in 1881 from Apache and Pima Counties. Safford, the county seat, was named for Anson Pacely Killen Safford, an early Territorial Governor.

Graham County Ghost Towns

Organizations and Groups:

Graham County Historical Society
Box 127
Safford, AZ 85548

Schools:

Eastern Arizona College
3714 W. Church St.
Thatcher, AZ 85552
Toll-free: 1-800-678-3808

Attractions and Information:

Butterflies of Graham County

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Last Update: 27 March 2009 at 8:21 pm