Patagonia Depot

The railroad reached this valley for the ore. Built in 1882 as the New Mexico and Arizona line, the tracks carried silver and lead from the Mowry, Harshaw, and Trench mines out to smelters and markets, and hauled cattle off the surrounding ranches. This depot went up around 1900; when the last of the line closed in 1962, it might have been torn down, but the town saved it instead. Patagonia has run its municipal offices out of the old depot ever since, a rail station outliving its rails.

What the plaque says

The New Mexico and Arizona Railroad which served Patagonia, was built by the Santa Fe in 1881-82 and was operated after 1897 by the Southern Pacific. The last portion of this line, terminating at Patagonia, was abandoned in 1962., The Patagonia depot building dates from the turn of the century. In 1965 the Patagonia-Sonoita Rotary Club saved it from demolition and began a continuing effort to save it. Since 1974 the City of Patagonia has been using it for municipal offices.

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

• Mowry Mine — steps away
• John Ward's Ranch — 3.3 mi
• Camp Crittenden — 8.8 mi
• Mission Guevavi — 13 mi