Globe

The city of Globe was founded in 1876, and it owes its unusual name to a geological curiosity. According to local legend, the first prospectors discovered a large silver nugget on this land that was a perfect spherical shape, resembling a globe. Although official city status was granted later, the settlement developed rapidly as an important center for Arizona's mining industry, attracting adventurers and entrepreneurs.

The region's development was driven by rich natural resources and its strategic position in the foothills. Initially, silver was the main draw, but it was soon discovered that the area held vast copper deposits, ensuring long-term prosperity. The arrival of the railroad in 1898 provided a powerful boost to the economy and population growth, significantly simplifying the export of raw materials and the delivery of necessary equipment, connecting the city to the rest of the world.

In its early years, Globe was a typical Wild West town, but over time it transformed into a significant administrative hub. A major milestone in its history was the designation of the city as the seat of Gila County in 1881. This event helped bring order to the settlement's life, fostered the development of urban infrastructure, and led to the construction of permanent buildings, many of which survive to this day and form the unique historical character of the central streets.

• 1875 — Prospectors discover a rich silver deposit in the area and register a mining claim under the name "Globe."
• 1876 — The town site plan is officially approved, and the settlement begins to develop rapidly as a mining town.
• 1877 — The first post office opens, securing the settlement's official status on the map.
• 1881 — Globe becomes the administrative center of Gila County, promoting the development of civil infrastructure.
• 1898 — The Gila Valley, Globe and Northern Railway arrives in town, significantly simplifying ore transportation.
• 1906 — Construction of the Gila County Courthouse is completed; today, it serves as an architectural landmark and arts center.
• 1907 — Globe is officially incorporated and receives city status with its own local government.
• 1916 — A new passenger train depot opens, becoming an important transport hub for the region.
• 1920s — The heyday of copper mining at the Old Dominion mine, turning the city into one of Arizona's economic centers.
• 1987 — The Downtown Globe Historic District is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1990s — A large-scale reconstruction and public opening of the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park takes place.
• 2000s — The city reorients its economy toward tourism, historic preservation, and small business development.

Globe's modern appearance is the result of several key transformations that turned a purely industrial settlement into an attractive tourist destination. These qualitative changes allow travelers today not just to observe history, but to interact with it through unique routes and restored sites.

• Transforming Industrial Heritage into Parkland
  The closure of major mining operations did not lead to abandonment but opened new opportunities for ecological and educational tourism. The former site of the Old Dominion mine was reimagined as a mountain park and museum. Today, this location attracts guests not just for its copper mining history, but for the chance to hike among historical artifacts and enjoy panoramic views of the city, combining active recreation with an immersion into the industrial past.
• Becoming the "Gateway to the Apache Trail"
  The construction and operation of the road leading to the Roosevelt Dam forever cemented the city's status as an important tourist hub. The legendary Apache Trail is now considered one of Arizona's most scenic routes. For modern road trippers, Globe serves as the ideal starting or ending point for this breathtaking journey through the Superstition Mountains, maintaining a steady flow of tourism to the region.
• Cultural Reimagining of the Administrative Center
  The majestic Gila County Courthouse, having moved past its purely bureaucratic functions, found new life as the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. This decision preserved an architectural landmark while filling it with creative purpose. Now, tourists visit the building not for legal procedures, but to explore galleries of local artists and participate in cultural events, which enlivens the downtown atmosphere.
• Integrating Archaeology into the Urban Environment
  The restoration of the Besh-Ba-Gowah ruins became an example of respect for pre-Columbian history. Unlike many closed excavation sites, this object was turned into an interactive ethnobotanical garden and an open-air museum. This gave the city a unique niche in educational tourism, allowing guests to literally walk through rooms where people of the Salado culture lived 700 years ago.

Architectural Character and Urban Development

The architecture of Globe represents a unique blend of eras, where the legacy of the Wild West sits alongside monumental public buildings from the early 20th century and the ruins of ancient civilizations. The city's layout was dictated by the complex local terrain and the needs of the mining industry: residential neighborhoods and commercial zones formed around mines and railway tracks, creating a dense and colorful development in the center.

A distinctive feature of the local architecture is the use of regional materials—specifically dark volcanic tuff and local brick—giving the historical buildings a characteristic and recognizable look.

Key Architectural Eras and Styles

• Salado Era (12th–15th Centuries) — Pueblo Stone Masonry
  The oldest architectural layer is represented at the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park. These are the restored ruins of a settlement belonging to the Salado culture. The structures are characterized by cobble-and-adobe masonry, thick walls for heat protection, and a complex system of rooms and courtyards typical of the American Southwest before European arrival.
• Territorial and Early Statehood Period (1900s–1920s) — Neoclassicism and Beaux-Arts
  The city's period of economic prosperity was marked by the construction of substantial buildings designed to highlight Globe's status as the county seat. The most striking example is the Gila County Courthouse (now the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts), built in 1906. This majestic structure combines features of Neoclassicism and the Beaux-Arts style, standing out with its symmetry and the use of local stone in its finish.
• Early 20th-Century Commercial Development — Brick Style
  The Historic Downtown along Broad Street is formed by two- and three-story buildings constructed after major fires in the early years. They are characterized by utilitarianism, brick facades with decorative cornices, and large storefront windows on the ground floors. This ensemble creates the atmosphere of a classic American town from the beginning of the last century.
• Industrial Architecture
  The remains of the Old Dominion mine infrastructure serve as monuments to industrial architecture. Concrete foundations, steel headframes, and service buildings recall the technological prowess of Arizona's industrialization era.

Today, Globe's historic center is a living open-air museum where the early 20th-century atmosphere is carefully preserved. Many buildings, such as the old train depot (1916) and Holy Angels Church (1918), are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable Residents and Historical Figures

The history of Globe is rich with colorful characters—from Wild West legends to politicians who changed the fate of the state. These individuals lived, worked, or left a significant mark on the region's chronicles.

• George W.P. Hunt
  First Governor of Arizona, Diplomat
  Arriving in Globe in 1881, Hunt rose from a simple waiter to an influential banker and the city's first mayor. It was here that his political career began, eventually leading him to the governorship (he was elected seven times). Hunt played a key role in drafting Arizona's constitution and transforming the territory into a full-fledged state.
• Rose Mofford
  First Female Governor of Arizona (1988–1991)
  A Globe native who started her career in state government as a secretary. Mofford became a symbol of female leadership in Arizona and was known for her warm management style. She always emphasized her origins in the "Copper Corridor" and actively supported the development of her hometown.
• Al Sieber
  Chief of Scouts, Frontiersman
  A legendary figure of the American frontier who served as a guide and scout during the complex campaigns of the 19th century. In his later years, he lived in Globe and supervised road construction, including the famous route to the Roosevelt Dam. He passed away during construction work and was buried with honors in the Globe City Cemetery.
• Helen Hull Jacobs
  Tennis Player, Wimbledon and US Champion, Author
  Born in Globe in 1908. She became one of the dominant figures in world women's tennis in the 1930s, known for her rivalry with Helen Wills Moody. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame for her outstanding sporting achievements.
• Pearl Hart
  Stagecoach Robber, Wild West Folklore Icon
  Though not a native, Globe became the site of Hart's greatest notoriety. After one of the last stagecoach robberies in US history, she was incarcerated in the Gila County Jail in Globe. Her daring escape from this jail in 1899 made her a national celebrity.
• Gerald Gault
  Subject of a Landmark US Supreme Court Case
  A teenager from Globe whose 1964 arrest led to the precedent-setting decision "In re Gault." This process forever changed the US judicial system, securing the right to an attorney and a fair trial for minors, making the Gault case one of the most important in American legal history.