Globe (Arizona)

Globe is in Eastern Arizona. Globe was founded in 1875 as a mining town, and still is dependent on mining. The town has many well-preserved buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and can make a pleasant stop.

Understand

Together with the neighboring town of Miami, Globe and the surrounding area are often referred to as Globe-Miami.

Globe's economy remains heavily dependent on the service industry, and the mining industry, and as of 2016 the city was home to one of the few operating copper smelters in the United States.

Its population in 2018 was about 7,300.

History

Besh-Ba-Gowah, about one mile south of Globe, was occupied by Salado populations between AD 1225 and AD 1400.

In 1875, prospectors found silver in the San Carlos Apache Reservation, including an unusual globe-shaped silver nugget. In just four years, the silver began to give out, but by then copper deposits were discovered.

By February 1881, Globe was the Gila County seat. Coming with Globe's new importance as the county seat came a stagecoach line linking it to Silver City, New Mexico.

Due to Globe's relative isolation from the rest of Arizona and its proximity to the San Carlos Apache reservation, Globe remained a frontier town. Globe's history is laced with many historic events such as murders, stagecoach robberies, outlaws, lynchings, and Apache raids. Natiotish, a San Carlos Apache, left the reservation with a group of about 50 men and continued to attack ranchers and miners.

The Old Dominion mine was the principal copper producer in the Globe District. In the 1900s, the Old Dominion Copper Company in Globe ranked as one of the world's richest. The Old Dominion closed in 1931, and mining operations moved to nearby Miami. In retirement, the old mine workings serve as the water supply for Globe-Miami and the district mines.

Climate

Globe has a semi-arid climate, characterized by hot summers and moderate to warm winters. Globe's arid climate is somewhat tempered by its elevation, however, leading to slightly cooler temperatures and slightly more precipitation than Phoenix or Yuma.

Summers in Globe are hot, with daytime highs generally between 90 °F (32 °C) and 100 °F (38 °C). High temperatures topping 100 °F (38 °C) are not uncommon in July and August for Globe. Summertime lows are generally right around 65 °F (18 °C).

Wintertime highs usually average between 55 °F (13 °C) and 65 °F (18 °C), and lows tend to be right at or above freezing (32 °F/0 °C).

Get in

By car

Globe and Miami are about 1½ hours east of Phoenix on US Highway 60, and about 2 hours north of Tucson on Highway on State Route 77. Safford, Payson, and Show Low are about a 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min drive away.

Get around

The downtown areas of both Globe and neighboring Miami are very pedestrian-friendly, although to get from one to the other you'll need a car.

By rental car

See
  • 🌍 Besh-Ba-Gowah Archeological Park, 1324 S Jesse Hayes Rd, ☏ +1 928-425-0320, . daily 9AM-5PM. A reconstructed 14th century Salado pueblo, with a small museum onsite. $5 adults, $4 seniors, free kids under 12. 
  • 🌍 Gila County Historical Society, 1330 N Broad St, ☏ +1 928-425-7385. M-F 10AM-4PM, S 11AM-3PM. A small museum devoted to the history of Globe and the surrounding region. A small bookshop is also onsite. 
  • 🌍 El Capitan Pass, Hwy 77 (12 miles south of Globe). A historical marker commemorates this spectacular pass, through which in 1846 Kearney's army marched to California to fight in the Mexican War. Shaded picnic tables are nearby. 
  • 🌍 Copper Hill ghost town, Copper Hill Rd (2WD dirt road 3 miles north of Globe). Established in 1908, Copper Hill once had 500 residents working in nearby mines, but was abandoned during the Depression in 1933. There are many foundations remaining. Free. 

Do
  • 🌍 Tonto National Forest, 7680 6 Shooter Canyon Rd, ☏ +1 928-402-6200, fax: +1 928-402-6292. The surrounding Tonto National Forest offers a range of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Maps, books, and trail information are available from the Globe Ranger Station. 
  • 🌍 Apache Gold Casino Resort, 5 Hwy 70, San Carlos (5 miles east of Globe), ☏ +1 928-475-7800, toll-free: +1-800-272-2438. Located on the nearby San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, this casino offers gaming, dining, and lodging. 

Festivals and events
  • 🌍 Apache Jii Celebration, downtown Globe, ☏ +1 928-425-4495, toll-free: +1-800-804-5623. An one-day annual event in late October celebrating Native American culture. Special highlights include Apache Crown Dancers, as well as Native American cuisine and music. Free. 
  • Festival of Lights, toll-free: +1-800-804-5623. 5PM (luminaria lighting), 5:30PM (musical performances), 8:30PM close. An annual event held on Christmas Eve at the Besh-Ba Gowah-Archaeological Park (see listing above). Luminarias light the trails and ruins in the park, with musical entertainment by Apache musicians from the neighboring San Carlos Apaches reservation. Free. 
  • 🌍 Gila County Fair, 900 E Fairgrounds Rd, . A four-day event held annually in late September. 
  • 🌍 Bustle and Boots Square Dance Festival, 900 E Fairgrounds Rd, toll-free: +1-800-804-5623. An annual three-day festival held in late October. $20 before the event, $20 at the door. 
  • 🌍 Gila County Gem & Mineral Show, 900 E Fairgrounds Rd, ☏ +1 928-812-0547, . F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-4PM. An annual three-day event held in late January. $3 (adults), $5 (couple), free (students/children). (updated Jan 2017)

Buy

There are a number of antique shops clustered around Broad Street in downtown Globe, as well as in neighboring Miami.

Eat

In a state with many Mexican restaurants, Globe and Miami are known for having some very good ones.

Groceries

Sleep

Lodging

Camping

Dispersed camping is possible in Tonto National Forest, which also maintains several developed campgrounds both north and south of Globe. A helpful map can be downloaded here.

Go next
Routes through Globe
Phoenix ← Apache Junction ←  W  E  → Magdalena → Socorro
END ←  W  E  → Safford → Lordsburg
Ends at ← Holbrook ←  N  S  → Oracle → Tucson


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