Picacho, Arizona One Place Study

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Picacho, Pinal, Arizona, United States
Surnames/tags: One_Place_Studies Arizona United_States

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Contents 1 Picacho, Arizona One Place Study 1.1 Name 1.2 Geography 1.3 History 1.3.1 The Battle of Picacho Pass 1.4 Population 1.5 Picacho Peak State Park 2 Sources

Picacho, Arizona One Place Study

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Name

Picacho is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Pinal County, Arizona, United States.

The term picacho is from the Spanish language and means "peak." However, in English, picacho is defined as a large, pointed, isolated hill.^[1]

Geography

Continent: North America

Country: United States

State/Province: Arizona

County: Pinal

GPS Coordinates: 32.716111, -111.495278

Elevation: 1,614 ft (492 m)

History

The unique shape of the mountain formation and sheer cliffs make Picacho Peak stand out from a long distance. Because of its visibility from afar, the peak has been used as a landmark for human navigation for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years.

The Battle of Picacho Pass

The Battle of Picacho Pass, also known as the Battle of Picacho Peak, was a significant engagement in the West during the American Civil War. It occurred on April 15, 1862, around Picacho Peak, 50 miles northwest of Tucson, Arizona.

Battle Commemoration Marker.

Overview:
A Confederate force of about 120 cavalrymen arrived at Tucson from Texas on February 28, 1862, and declared Tucson the capital of the western district of the Confederate Arizona Territory. The Confederates hoped that sympathizers in southern California would join them, but this never happened. In response, 2,000 Union volunteers from California, known as the California Column, moved east to Fort Yuma, California, and by May 1862, had driven the small Confederate force back into Texas.

Battle:
Twelve Union cavalry troopers and one scout were conducting a sweep of the Picacho Peak area, looking for Confederates reported to be nearby². Sergeant Henry Holmes commanded the Arizona Confederates. Despite orders not to engage, Union officer Lieutenant James Barrett led his men into the thicket single file without dismounting them. The first fire from the enemy emptied four saddles, and Barrett followed them, calling on his men to follow him.

Three of the Confederates surrendered. Barrett secured one of the prisoners and had just remounted his horse when a bullet struck him in the neck, killing him. Fierce and confused fighting continued among the mesquite and arroyos for 90 minutes, with two more Union fatalities and three troopers wounded.

Result:
The battle resulted in a Confederate victory, with the Union cavalry retreating. However, by May, the Confederates were driven back into Texas.

Sources. ^[2][3][4]

Population

The US Census Bureau began enumerating Picacho only in 2010. The population in 2010 was 471. By the 2020 census, the population had dropped to 250.

Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peak State Park is renowned for its unique geological features, rich history, and wide array of recreational opportunities. Dominated by the prominent Picacho Peak, this Arizona state park is a significant landmark in the Sonoran Desert region.

Geological and Natural Significance: The park's most striking feature is Picacho Peak itself, a large, volcanic rock formation that rises dramatically from the flat surrounding desert. This peak has been a navigational landmark for centuries, guiding explorers, settlers, and even ancient Native American tribes.

The park's environment is characteristic of the Sonoran Desert, featuring a variety of desert flora and fauna. It's especially popular during the spring when the desert wildflowers bloom, creating a vibrant and colorful landscape.

Image:Picacho Arizona One Place Study-2.jpg

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The park includes historical markers that commemorate the Battle of Picacho Pass. Each March, the park hosts a reenactment of the battle, drawing visitors and history enthusiasts. The reenactment also includes demonstrations of camp life, fashion, artillery, and church services. Some reenactors play a specific character, such as a doctor, bugle boy, or captain, for the entire reenactment. If their character was killed or wounded in the battle, the actors play their parts realistically.

Recreational Activities: The park offers various recreational activities, including hiking, bird watching, and photography. Its hiking trails range in difficulty, allowing visitors of all skill levels to enjoy the park's natural beauty. The park also features a visitor center with exhibits, a park store, a playground, and picnic areas, making it a family-friendly destination.

Picacho Peak State Park's combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities make it a unique and cherished part of Arizona's park system.^[5][6][7]

Sources

1. ↑ Definition of picacho: Merriam-Webster, s.v. 'picacho,' online at (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picacho : accessed November 27, 2023).
2. ↑ Battle of Picacho Pass Monument - Atlas Obscura Article: Battle of Picacho Pass Monument – Picacho, Arizona - Atlas Obscura. (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/battle-of-picacho-pass-monument : accessed November 30, 2023)
3. ↑ Battle of Picacho Pass - Wikipedia Article: Battle of Picacho Pass - Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Picacho_Pass : accessed November 30, 2023)
4. ↑ Battle of Picacho Pass - AZ Central Article: Arizona's military history: Battle of Picacho Pass - azcentral.com. (https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/local/history/2015/03/13/arizonas-military-history-battle-picacho-pass/70155506/ : accessed November 30, 2023)
5. ↑ Picacho Peak State Park History - Web Article: "Park History," Picacho Peak State Park, accessed November 27, 2023, https://azstateparks.com/picacho/explore/park-history.
6. ↑ Picacho Peak State Park - Web Article: "Picacho Peak State Park," Arizona State Parks, accessed November 27, 2023, https://azstateparks.com/picacho.
7. ↑ Picacho Peak State Park - Web Article: "Picacho Peak State Park - Tucson Arizona," LocalWiki, https://localwiki.org/tucson/Picacho_Peak_State_Park.

See Also:

• Picacho, Arizona on Wikipedia