Hereford, Arizona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hereford, Arizona
Populated place
Panaramic View of Miller Canyon
Country	United States
State	Arizona
County	Cochise
unincorporated community	1895–1900
Elevation	4,193 ft (1,278 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	6,537
Time zone	UTC-7 (MST (no daylight saving time))
ZIP code	85615
Area code(s)	520
GNIS feature ID	5733

Hereford is a small community in Cochise County, Arizona. It is located in the southern part of the state. Hereford sits right next to the beautiful San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. It is southeast of Sierra Vista and is part of the larger Sierra Vista-Douglas area.

The original townsite of Hereford is about 4,193 feet above sea level. The community stretches west for about 8 miles. It eventually blends into another area called Nicksville, which is even higher. The Hereford Station Post Office is located near the Huachuca Mountains.

History of Hereford

Hereford Army Airfield

Swainson's Hawk

Hereford was founded in 1878. It was named after Frank Hereford, a local attorney. He was a friend of the person who started the town. In 1878, this area was a meeting place for famous cowboys. These included Frank and Tom McLaury, who later became involved in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Other well-known figures like Johnny Ringo and Curly Bill also lived nearby.

The El Paso and Southwestern Railroad built a train stop in Hereford around 1892. This stop had a water tank and platforms for loading cattle. The Greene Cattle Company, owned by Colonel William C. Greene, bought a large ranch nearby. This ranch became the biggest cattle ranch in the valley. Frank Moson, Greene's stepson, designed the Hereford Corrals for shipping cattle.

The railroad line connected Hereford to Fairbank and then to Benson. Hereford was a common stop for travelers. They would come from Tombstone, about 15 miles northwest. They would travel along the San Pedro River on their way to Naco, Arizona and Mexico. The original town was active until the 1950s. By the early 1960s, all the old buildings were gone. Today, only a few concrete foundations and the old train bed remain.

World War II Airfield

Near Hereford, you can find the remains of the former Hereford Army Airfield. This was a training field during World War II. Pilots learned to fly light and medium bomber planes here. Today, only one concrete pad and traces of the runway are left.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

The Hereford area is famous for its amazing wildlife. Many different birds and butterflies migrate through this region all year long. The entrance to the Coronado National Memorial is located in Hereford. This memorial celebrates the first European exploration of the American Southwest.

Another important site nearby is the Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site. This is a National Historic Landmark. It's where scientists found evidence of early humans hunting mammoths.

Local Information

Hereford has the ZIP Code of 85615. In 2000, about 6,537 people lived in this ZIP Code area.

Climate

Hereford has a semi-arid climate. This means it is generally dry with not much rainfall.

Historic San Pedro House and Brunckow's Cabin

The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in Hereford is home to some historic buildings. These include the San Pedro House and Brunckow's Cabin.