San Rafael, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Rafael, Arizona
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 San Rafael, Arizona
Location in Arizona
San Rafael, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Pima |
| Elevation | 2,172 ft (662 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 520 |
| FIPS code | 04-63660 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24598 |
San Rafael is a ghost town located in Pima County, Arizona, United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty.
History of San Rafael
San Rafael was once a busy ranching community. On November 24, 1865, something important happened there. A large group of about 350 Opata volunteers attacked the town. These volunteers were led by Colonel Refugio Tanori. He was an Opata leader working for the Mexican Imperial Army.
The 1865 Raid
During this attack, an American citizen was hurt. People believed the raid was an attempt to capture the governor of Sonora, Ignacio Pesquiera. He had left Sonora because French troops were moving into the area. Governor Pesquiera had found safety in Arizona Territory. This event shows how different groups were interacting and sometimes clashing in the Arizona Territory during that time.
