Greenlee County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona, near the borders of New Mexico and Mexico. It is home to a variety of terrains, ranging from high elevation mountains and low desert valleys to wide open grasslands. The county has a total area of 2,903 square miles with an average elevation of 4,450 feet above sea level.
The county is divided into two distinct geographical regions: the White Mountains and the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The White Mountains are located in the northern part of Greenlee County and feature tall peaks that range from 8,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. These mountains provide an abundance of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, and more.
The San Carlos Apache Reservation is located in the southern part of Greenlee County and covers over 1 million acres. This area is home to the San Carlos Apache Tribe who have long inhabited this region and continue to maintain their traditional culture. In addition to providing spiritual guidance for its people, this reservation also offers a variety of recreational activities such as boating on Apache Lake and horseback riding on trails throughout its lands.
Greenlee County’s climate ranges from mild winters with occasional snowfall in higher elevations to hot summers with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in lower elevations during July and August. Average annual precipitation is approximately 15 inches with most rainfall occurring between July and September during monsoon season.
Overall, Greenlee County provides a unique blend of geography that includes high mountain peaks as well as lush desert valleys all within close proximity to each other. With its varied terrain and diverse population it offers many opportunities for both recreation activities as well as cultural exploration all year round making it an ideal destination for visitors looking for something different than what they might find elsewhere in Arizona or even beyond US borders.
Country seat and other main cities of Greenlee County, Arizona
The county seat of Greenlee County, Arizona is the city of Clifton. Located in the White Mountains, Clifton is the largest city in the county with a population of approximately 3,000 people. It serves as a center for commerce and government and features several historical buildings such as the Clifton Hotel and the Old Apache County Courthouse. The town is also home to numerous restaurants, shops, churches, schools, and parks.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, another major city in Greenlee County is Duncan. With a population of around 1,500 people, Duncan is located in the San Carlos Apache Reservation and serves as an important commercial center for local tribes. The city has many restaurants and shops that cater to tourists who come to visit nearby attractions such as Chiricahua National Monument or Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
A third major city in Greenlee County is Morenci. With a population of over 2,500 people Morenci was once an important copper mining center but now focuses more on tourism with its several museums and historic sites that are open to visitors throughout the year. Nearby attractions include Coronado National Forest and Roper Lake State Park which provide plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking trails and more for visitors to enjoy.
Finally, Blue River is another small town located within Greenlee County with a population of just over 200 people. Situated at an elevation of 5800 feet this town provides stunning views of nearby mountain ranges along with plenty of recreational activities such as camping, biking trails or horseback riding on its many scenic trails.
Overall, each town within Greenlee County offers something unique that makes it worth visiting whether it’s for exploring its rich history or simply enjoying its picturesque scenery or outdoor activities that can be found throughout this region; making it an ideal destination for anyone who wants something different than what they might find elsewhere in Arizona or even beyond US borders.
History of Greenlee County, Arizona
Greenlee County, Arizona is located in the southeastern part of the state, bordering New Mexico. It is one of the original four counties that formed after Arizona was admitted as a state in 1912, and today it covers an area of 2,936 square miles. The county seat is Clifton, which was named for its proximity to the cliffs along the Gila River.
The first people to inhabit Greenlee County were Native Americans belonging to various tribes such as Apache, Navajo and Pueblo. These groups lived off the land for thousands of years before European settlers arrived in the area during the late 1800s. The first white settlers were miners looking for gold and other minerals in the area’s many mountain ranges. As mining grew more popular in Greenlee County, small towns began popping up around various mines and campsites. One of these towns was Clifton which began as a trading post before becoming a major hub for commerce and government services.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt declared Coronado National Forest which included parts of Greenlee County; this made it easier for ranchers and farmers to settle in this region. During World War II, Fort Bowie was built near Duncan to provide protection from possible enemy attacks on US soil; this fort still stands today as a National Historic Site open for visitors.
In recent years, Greenlee County has become something of an outdoor recreation destination with plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking and other activities throughout its several parks or nearby national forests such as Coronado or Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This growth has also led to increased tourism with many visitors coming to explore local attractions such as Chiricahua National Monument or Roper Lake State Park each year.
Today, Greenlee County continues to be a great place to live with its diverse landscape offering something different than what you might find elsewhere in Arizona or even beyond US borders; making it an ideal destination for anyone who wants something unique out of their vacation experience or simply enjoys exploring nature at its finest.
Economy of Greenlee County, Arizona
Greenlee County, Arizona is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to a diverse and vibrant economy. The county covers an area of 2,936 square miles and the county seat is the town of Clifton. The economy of Greenlee County is largely driven by agriculture, mining, and tourism.
Agriculture has been a major contributor to the local economy since its earliest days. The county’s arid climate and fertile soils make it well-suited for growing crops such as cotton, alfalfa, wheat, and corn. Cattle ranching also plays an important role in Greenlee County’s agricultural industry; livestock are raised for both meat production as well as for their hides which are used in leather goods manufacturing.
Mining has long been an important part of the local economy; copper mining began in Greenlee County back in 1883 and continues to this day with several large mines operating throughout the region. In addition to copper, other minerals such as gold, silver, uranium, and molybdenum are also mined here.
Tourism has become an increasingly important part of Greenlee County’s economy over recent years; many visitors come here to explore its unique natural attractions such as Chiricahua National Monument or Roper Lake State Park or take part in outdoor activities like camping or fishing at one of its many parks or nearby national forests such as Coronado or Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The county also offers a variety of cultural attractions including art galleries, museums, historic sites like Fort Bowie which was built during World War II to protect against possible enemy attacks on US soil but now serves as a popular tourist destination.
In addition to these industries there are several small businesses operating throughout Greenlee County that provide goods and services ranging from restaurants to auto repair shops; these businesses provide much needed employment opportunities for locals while also helping to keep money circulating within the region’s economy. All together these various economic sectors are helping ensure that Greenlee County remains a great place to live with plenty of opportunity for growth in years ahead.
