Camp Stephen D. Little

The border you can see from here was once a war footing. The Army camped at Nogales from 1910, through the years the Mexican Revolution spilled north, and in 1915 renamed the post for Private Stephen Little, killed in the border fighting around Nogales, Sonora. At its height in 1916 the camp held twelve thousand soldiers, more people than the town beside it. It was abandoned in 1933. What began here as a militarized line has never entirely stopped being one.

What the plaque says

A military camp established in Nogales, Arizona, in November of 1910, was for a generation an integral part of the economic and social life of the community. The post was renamed on December 14, 1915, for Private Little, killed in action during the border troubles which climaxed with the taking of Nogales, Sonora, by revolutionists. After reaching a peak strength of 12,000 in 1916, forces were gradually reduced after World War I to less than 1,000 men. The post was abandoned May 5, 1933.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Tumacácori National Historical Park — 17 mi
  Arizona's first mission, on O'odham ground along the Santa Cruz River.

More markers nearby

• Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino — 0.3 mi
• Jacob Isaacson — 1.0 mi
• Mission Guevavi — 4.7 mi
• John Ward's Ranch — 14 mi