Situated along the U.S.-Mexico border, Douglas is a captivating crossroads where Hispanic, Anglo and Native American cultures have mixed for hundreds of years.

 Mining in the last century originally brought prosperity to Douglas. In 1900, Phelps Dodge Mining Company established a huge copper smelter which was to give life to the new town.

 The town was called Douglas after Dr. James Douglas, the president of the company. Soon after the completion of the smelter, the impressive Gadsden Hotel was built so that mining officials could stay in luxury. The impressive hotel includes a vaulted ceiling with Tiffany glass panes, a 42-foot-long painted and stained glass mural on the mezzanine wall, a white Italian marble staircase and marble pillars topped with gold leaf. Douglas’s fortunes were also found in ranching, as evidenced in the Saddle and Spur Lounge, just off the lobby. Inside, more than 200 authentic cattle brands remind visitors that cattle ranching was another source of wealth in this part of Cochise County.

 Douglas grew in relative peace and prosperity. Though the smelter had blown its last cloud of smoke and steam by 1987, the town’s rich heritage of fine architecture can still be seen all around town.

 Douglas’ El Paso and Southwestern Railroad depot was an important train station. It transported copper to large manufacturing concerns in the east. The depot is considered one of the finest examples of railway architecture of the early 1900s. The building is now used for the Douglas police station and is just one of 400 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Douglas.

 The Grand Theatre was built in 1919 and was considered to be the largest and most beautiful theater between Los Angeles and San Antonio. Ginger Rogers, Anna Pavlova and John Philip Sousa are some of the few famous faces to have graced the theater’s stage. It also housed a tea room, candy store and barbershop in its glory days. Today the theater is undergoing reconstruction.

 The city’s main commercial area, the Douglas Historic Business District, has a number of buildings constructed between 1905 and 1920 including the Douglas Williams House, which is now used as a museum for the preservation of the Douglas area history. Pictures and memorabilia are on display in the museum. Also in the Historic Business District is The Gallery. Built in 1902, it housed the Douglas Library until 1996. It is now used as a gallery for the Douglas Art Association.

 One of the most famous state ranchers was John Slaughter, who maintained a 100,000-acre ranch about 16 miles east of Douglas. Slaughter also served as the Cochise County sheriff for a time and was immortalized in a Walt Disney film that can be seen at the historic restored Slaughter Ranch and Museum (520-558-2474). The ranch is located in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Preserve (520-364-5104), one of the area’s popular bird-watching spots.

 Visitors can pick a map for a self-guided tour of Douglas from the Douglas Visitor Center (520-364-2478; 888-315-9999 or visit www.Douglasaz.gov). As you walk or drive, you will come across a number of quiet neighborhoods with fine examples of early twentieth century architecture.

 In Douglas you can also cross the border into Aqua Prieta, Mexico. Aqua Prieta is a distinct Mexican city with narrow streets and the Iglesia de Guadalupe Church, a stunning example of mission architecture. The church is part of the city’s downtown square where shopping for saddlery, leather boots and handmade pottery is plentiful. 

 Border Air Museum: Douglas first showed interest in aviation in 1908, when a single-plane glider was built in a large frame building the 700 block of G Avenue. It was air-lifted by two horse buggy equipped for release with on aerial hitch.

The first in-coming flight to Douglas as in 1911. The plane landed behind the old YMCA building at the west end of 10th street.

In 1913, planes that were used in the Mexican Revolution came to Douglas. Five years later, after World War 1, the barnstormers   arrived.

The city had purchased the airport in 1928, a dirt runway was built connecting Douglas and Agua Prieta. Airplane passengers could land in Douglas and taxi through the runway gate into Mexico.

Douglas International Airport was the first international airport in the Americas. It was considered the finest airport in Arizona and was the first in the state to have night lights.

Tools for our tourist

Local Accommodation Listing

Local RV Parks

Local Tourist Map

Listing of local restaurants

Traveling To Mexico

 Map of the County

Douglas Trivia

Discover Douglas Photo Gallery