List of historic properties in Duncan, Arizona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids List of historic properties in Duncan, Arizona
Town
Simpson Hotel entrance- 1914
Location of Duncan in Greenlee County, Arizona

Side view of the Knights of Pythias lodge#27 building - 1900

Freiheit Building - 1913

Welcome to a guide about the cool old buildings and places in Duncan, Arizona! This town is in Greenlee County, Arizona. Many of these historic spots are being saved and fixed up by a group called the Duncan Pride Society. You'll also see pictures of an old town clock and a vintage fire truck that used to serve Duncan. One special building, the Benjamin F. Billingsley House, is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's super important!

A Quick Look at Duncan's History

Long, long ago, people called the Anasazi lived in the area where Duncan is now. Archeologists have found old pottery and stone tools that prove this. The Anasazi were an advanced ancient Native American group. Later, the Apaches became the main Native American group in this region. They were known for hunting and gathering food.

Early Explorers and New Lands

Hundreds of years ago, Spanish explorers came to this area. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, a governor from New Spain (which is now Mexico), was looking for a legend called the Seven Golden Cities. He traveled through the area near the San Francisco River but didn't find the cities. Another Spanish missionary, Fray Marcos de Niza, also passed through, hoping to teach the native people about Catholicism.

The land that includes modern-day New Mexico and Arizona was once called "New Mexico" by the Spanish.

Becoming Part of the United States

In 1821, Mexico became independent from Spain. A few years later, in 1824 and 1825, American trappers led by James Ohio Pattie explored the San Francisco River. They were looking for beavers because beaver fur hats were very popular back then!

In 1845, the United States took over Texas, which made Mexico upset. This led to the Mexican–American War. American soldiers, including the Mormon Battalion, entered the area. After the war, in 1848, the land north of the Gila River (which includes Duncan) became part of the United States. This was agreed upon in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Arizona Territory and Duncan's Start

In 1858, people chasing Apaches found the first minerals in the Greenlee area. This led to conflicts between the Apaches and new settlers, known as the Apache Wars, which lasted for 26 years. People started mining for gold and silver in 1864, and then for copper in 1872.

Duncan began on the north side of the San Francisco River. Two men named Purdy set up a stop for wagons carrying ore between Clifton and Silver City, New Mexico. In 1883, a post office opened there, and the settlement was named Purdy.

Later, Scottish investors helped build a railway called the Arizona and New Mexico Railroad. It ran through Purdy. James Duncan Smith became the manager of the Arizona Copper Company. When the town of Purdy moved to the south side of the river, it was renamed Duncan after him! The post office also moved. Duncan was officially founded in 1883. It became an important place for shipping farm goods, ore, and cattle to other parts of the country. Greenlee County was created in 1909, named after Mason Greenlee, an early settler.

The Duncan Pride Society

The Duncan Pride Society started on March 8, 2001. Their main goal is to work with the town and its people to keep Duncan looking good and to save its history. One of their first projects was Spezia Square, a historic spot on the Old West Highway. They've also helped clean up and paint old buildings in town.

The Benjamin F. Billingsley House is a very important historic building in Duncan. It was built in 1900 and is known for its Queen Anne style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1983. Benjamin F. Billingsley was a successful merchant in Duncan for many years.

Did you know that Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice on the United States Supreme Court, grew up on a ranch near Duncan?

Historic Buildings and Places

Saint Mary's Catholic Church corner block - 1936

Greenlee County Building -1890

House on 211 Railroad Ave. - 1920

Here are some of the historic buildings and places in Duncan. The names listed are the original names they had when they were first built. You'll also see pictures of the old town clock in Spezia Square Park and the 1950 fire truck that used to protect Duncan.

• Benjamin F. Billingsley House – Built in 1900 at 202 Main St. This house has a unique Queen Anne style roof. Benjamin F. Billingsley was a successful merchant in Duncan. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Simpson Hotel (former Hotel Hobbs) – Built in 1914 at 116 Main Street.
• Freiheit Building – Built in 1913 in Spezia Square Park on Railroad Ave.
• Country Store – Built in 1909 at 105 Railroad Ave.
• Duncan Restaurant – Built in 1909 at 107 Railroad Ave.
• Duncan Theater – Built in 1921 on Railroad Ave.
• River Front Lounge (former Bonnie Heather Bar/Pool Hall) – Built in 1925 on Railroad Ave.
• Bonnie Heather Inn – Built in 1920 at 105 Main Street.
• First Duncan School Building – Built in 1908 at 100 High St. It used to have a second floor, but now it's home to the American Legion.
• Duncan Bus Station – Now called the Duncan Hotel, built in 1920 at 302 Old US 70.
• Lonesome Dove Mercantile – Built in 1860 at 404 North Ave.
• Saint Mary's Catholic Church – Built in 1936 at 111 3rd Street.
• Bank of Duncan – Built in 1908 at 118 Main Street.
• Duncan Opera House – Built in 1920 at 218 Hill Street.
• S & L Enterprises – Built in 1896 at 108 Main Street.
• Bart Tipton's Saloon (former Ford Motors, Peterson's Garage) – Built in 1905 on the corner of Main and Railroad Ave.
• Greenlee County Building – Built in 1890 at 115 Madison Street.
• House on 211 Railroad Ave. – Built in 1920.
• Germaine store – Built in 1900 at 417 North Ave.
• Knights of Pythias building – Built in 1900 at 449 (216) Main Street. This building was once home to the Knights of Pythias Lodge #27.
• Duncan Church of Christ – Built in 1914 at 328 East Ave.
• Duncan Stage Stop – Built in 1890 on Madison Street.
• Antique town clock – Located in Spezia Square Park on Railroad Ave.
• 1950 Chevrolet 6400 2-ton fire truck – Located on the corner of Main and Railroad Ave.

More to Explore

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Greenlee County, Arizona