The town of Globe, Arizona, is less than 90 miles from downtown Phoenix on a well-traveled highway, yet it is seemingly a world away... but perhaps a century away might be a better way to measure than distance than the mileage, considering how Globe serves as a snapshot of the early 1900s.
Globe is a right-sized destination for visitors. With 7,500 residents, it is big enough to offer historical attractions and multiple hotels and restaurants, yet it's hardly crowded.
The Globe Downtown Historic District, including its Courthouse, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The blend of government and commercial buildings and churches is highlighted by the Historic Gila County Sheriff’s Office and Jail that was built in 1910 and now functions as a museum, and visitor center.
Signs of a bygone era are well preserved in Globe.
The town was founded in 1875 as a silver mining camp. The Old Dominion Copper Mine operated from 1880 to 1931. Globe High School is the oldest high school building in Arizona that’s still in use for its original purpose.
You'll also find some fascinating ruins. Besh-Ba-Gowah translates to “Place of Metal” in an Apache language.
The Salado ruins date to as early as 1225. Visitors can wander in and around the ancient pueblos. The site is part of the Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive that goes through the nearby towns of Miami and Claypool.
Not far away, the desert landscape is interrupted by Roosevelt Lake, formed by the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. The recreation area is 30 miles northwest of Globe.
The segment of Highway 60 between Superior, Arizona, and Globe winds beautifully through the desert landscape.
Unlike some small towns that have more of a remote, isolated location, Globe is easily accessible. US 60 runs almost directly east to Globe from the Phoenix-based Valley of the Sun. US 60 continues to the northeast from Globe and US 70 goes southeast.
Have you visited Globe? What's your favorite attraction in the area? Share with us in the comments!
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