A few weekends ago, I was traveling from Phoenix to Tucson – something I do perhaps once a year. There’s a prominent landmark called Picacho Peak that, despite having lived in Arizona most of my life, I pay little attention to other than to note that I’m about two-thirds of the way through my trip. This time, however, perhaps because I was driving alone, I started thinking a little about this historic site and decided to research it a bit when I got home.
Most of us in these parts know that Picacho Peak is where the only battle between the North and the South took place in Arizona during the civil war. Seems the then western territory mostly stayed out of the conflict until February of 1862 when Captain Sherod Hunter and a troupe of rangers rode into Tucson, officially creating the Confederate Territory of Arizona. They effectively wreaked havoc on the Union forces with their hit and run style of attack, destroying the Union Army’s food and hay supplies and capturing their men.
After two months of skirmishes and raids, the warring sides met at Picacho Peak on April 15th for their infamous battle, which lasted all of ninety minutes. Despite being greatly outnumbered, the Confederates triumphed. Their victory didn’t last long, however. The Union eventually took control of the region, ending the Confederates’ hope for a southwestern pathway to the Westcoast.
Now, every year in (usually) March, the battle at Picacho Peak is reenacted in the state park by living history enthusiasts who wear authentically reproduced uniforms and clothing and use replica weapons—no real bullets are used. Tours and informational talks are given, along with camps, and battle demonstrations that are set up to entertain and educate the hundreds of people who arrive and to thrill to the sound of rifles exploding and canons firing (again, not real). I’ve never been, but my son attended some years ago with my mother-in-law and his cousins and had a great time.
If you’re not a history buff, that’s no reason to miss stopping at Picacho Peak. There are great hiking trails for the fit and adventurous and the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch for fun seekers looking for something different. Yes, you can feed the ostriches. No, you can ride them. And, yes, you can purchase ostrich eggs to eat. To be honest, I’d have to think long and hard on that before making a purchase.
Maybe I should convince hubby, and the two of us could check it out next year. Sounds like a great day trip.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I love history, so thanks for this.
Thanks for stopping by, Janice 🙂
I would love to visit. That is some egg! thanks
I agree, Debra. The egg is huge!
When we lived in Tucson for 6 years, we passed by Picacho Peak all the time! What fun to learn more about it! Our daughter, who worked summers for a community center, used to take the kids to the ostrich farm on a field trip once a summer! She used to say how hot it was but interesting! Thanks for the trip down memory lane for me!!!
Hi Valri. Hearing about your daughter’s field trips to the ostrich farm make me want to go even more now!
Being a native Arizonan, I have visited Picacho Peak many times and I did attend the reenactment once many, many years ago. My favorite memory of Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch was working on a lawsuit involving that area and meeting Rooster and the ostriches privately.
Oh, wow, Karin. How interesting to meet Rooster and ostriches. I once visited a private emu farm, but the ostrich farm sounds like more fun 🙂
thanks for sharing about this. my husband and I will be going through that area later in the summer. what a wonderful place to stop and stretch and have fun.
You might consider stopping by on your trip, Lori. But fair warning, it will be hot in the summer 🙂
What an interesting part of US history.
It really is, Denise! Thanks for commenting.
It sounds like it would be fun! At least you’d be able to say you went!
Yes, Trudy. No self-respecting Arizonian should be able to say they haven’t visited Picacho Peak.
I attended college in Flagstaff and drove through there often from Tucson where my parents lived.
What a small world, Becky. It’s a very cool mountain, yes?
Hi last October my husband went on a train trip from Texas to Tucson, it was so much fun. We stayed close to downtown , which was just across the train station, which made it really nice. We did go to a museum which we really enjoyed and they did talk about this. Maybe next time we go we will drive there and get to go see it. Thank you for this info. I really enjoyed it. Have a great day and a great weekend.
Your train trip sounds like a lot of fun, Alicia. The mountain is only about 45 minutes outside of Tucson, so it would be an easy detour if you every get that way again 🙂
It sounds like a lot of fun.
I agree, Barbara. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks so much for letting us know about these places. We have a cousin that lives south of Tucson . we will have to swing up to see the Ostrich ranch and the battle area. March is usually a good time to be out there, so we could plan a visit to coincide with the reenactment. We have both Revolutionary and Civil War reenactments in our area and do enjoy them. We like experiencing any type of living history event.
Sounds like a plan and a lot of fun, Patricia. Tucson is usually nice in March 🙂