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Hereford, Arizona

Coordinates:31°26′18″N110°05′52″W/ 31.43833°N 110.09778°W/31.43833; -110.09778
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Hereford, Arizona
Panaramic View of Miller Canyon
Panaramic View of Miller Canyon
Map
Coordinates:31°26′18″N110°05′52″W/ 31.43833°N 110.09778°W/31.43833; -110.09778[1]
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountyCochise
unincorporated community1895–1900
Elevation4,193 ft (1,278 m)
Population
(2000)
• Total
6,537
Time zoneUTC-7(MST(nodaylight saving time))
ZIP code
85615
Area code520
GNISfeature ID5733[1]

Herefordis apopulated placeinCochise Countyalong the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in the southern part of theU.S. stateofArizona.It is southeast ofSierra Vistaand is a part of the Sierra Vista-Douglasmicropolitan area.The elevation is 4,193 feet at the location of the original townsite at the far eastern end of the unincorporated area; the residential area runs for another 8 miles west from this location, blending into the unincorporated area ofNicksvilleat an elevation of approximately 4800 feet.[citation needed]Hereford Station Post Office is located at the far western end of Nicksville, at the foot of theHuachuca Mountains.[2]

History

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Hereford Army Airfield
Swainson's Hawk

Founded in 1878, the community was named after Frank Hereford, who was a friend of the town's founder, and a distinguished local attorney.[3]It was wherecowboysFrank McLauryandTom McLauryfirst met and became associated withIke Clanton,in 1878. The two brothers would later be killed during theGunfight at the O.K. Corral,inTombstone, Arizona,with Ike Clanton being at the center of that dispute with theEarp faction.Johnny RingoandCurly Billlived nearby and grew up with the Clanton's.John Slaughter's ranch was just under two miles south of Hereford, and was a favorite for cattle stealing raids by theClanton Ranch.[3]

TheEl Paso and Southwestern Railroad,a mining road originally built by Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation, established a siding at the town around 1892, which featured a water tank and stock loading platforms. In the 1890s the Greene Cattle Company, after Colonel William C. Greene its owner, who bought the San Raphael del Valle, Spanish land grant. It comprised a general store/post office, railroad station, school, saloon, adobe houses, and his mansion. It was the largest cattle ranch in the Valley.[4]His Stepson Frank Moson designed and created the Hereford Corrals for shipping to fulfill their shipping needs for the ranch. Frank Moson was also the founder/owner of the Y-Lightning Ranch of old west notoriety.[3]

This line continued on to thewyeconnection atFairbankand theNew Mexico and Arizona Railroad,and then on toBenson.Hereford was a common stop for travelers heading from Tombstone, 15 miles northwest, down theSan Pedro Riveren route toNaco, Arizonaand thence Mexico, approximately 14 miles away. The original townsite was populated until the 1950s, and the last structures disappeared in the early 1960s. Nothing remains of the original townsite except for a few concrete foundations and the ballasted rail bed, the rails and ties having been pulled in 2006.

Also nearby are remains of the formerHereford Army Airfield,a World War II-era training field for light and medium bomber pilots. Little remains other than one concrete pad and traces of the runway tarmac in the bushes.

The area is known for its wildlife and outdoor activities. Hundreds of birds and butterflies migrate through this area year round. The entry turnoff to theCoronado National Memorialis located in Hereford.[2]TheLehner Mammoth-Kill Site,aNational Historic Landmark,is located nearby.

Hereford has theZIP Codeof 85615; in 2000, the population of the 85615ZCTAwas 6,537.[5]

Climate

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According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Hereford has asemi-arid climate,abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[6]

Historic San Pedro House

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The following are images of the historic San Pedro House and Brunckow's Cabin located within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in Hereford.

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hereford, Arizona
  2. ^abCochise County,Dex: Official Directory, CenturyLink, 2014, pg 1
  3. ^abcHein, Jac (1983).Early Sierra Vista; Its People and Neighbors.Sierra Vista, AZ, USA: Banner Printing Center.
  4. ^Sterner, Matthew A (1998). "Homesteading and Ranching on Fort Huachuca's East Range: National Register of Historic Places Evaluations of Slash Z Ranch Site and Three Associated Sites".National Register of Historic Places Evaluations.Statistical Research, Inc, Tucson, AZ. Department of the Army Technical Report 98-22, DABT63-93-D-0011 Delivery Order 4.
  5. ^"American FactFinder - Community Facts".Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2020.RetrievedJuly 12,2010.
  6. ^Climate Summary for Hereford, Arizona
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31°26′18″N110°05′52″W/ 31.43833°N 110.09778°W/31.43833; -110.09778