Barfoot Lookout Complex

Buena Vista Peak, Portal, AZ
Barfoot lookout is located in the Douglas Ranger District and was built in 1935, possibly by a CCC crew. The lookout house is an L-4 type wooden house measuring 14 ft by 14 ft. This complex also includes a wood frame shed, privy, concrete cistern and an attractive, rustic-style native stone retaining wall. The lookout complex represents of the best examples of its type in the Southwestern Region. A study of historic photographs indicates no major modifications have occurred to any of the structures at this complex since they were built. The lookout house and other structures have all retained their integrity of original design, construction, workmanship, materials, setting, location and association, and the entire complex at Barfoot is recommended for National Register eligibility. The boundary of the Barfoot lookout complex is a square that measures Bo ft by 80 ft. The retaining wall comprises the west edge of the boundary and the northwest corner of the boundary is located 25 ft north of the northernmost railing post near the southwest corner of the lookout). The area surrounding the complex within the boundary is not considered a "buffer area," but is integral to the setting of the property.
Local significance of the building:
Conservation; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The world's largest solar telescope is located in Arizona: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, located on the summit of Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii, is the largest solar telescope in the world. However, the next largest solar telescope, the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, is located at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.
Cochise County, located in southeastern Arizona, has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The area was originally home to various indigenous populations, including the Apache, Hohokam, and Sobaipuri people. These native groups lived off the land, hunting and practicing agricultural techniques, leaving behind remarkable artifacts and heritage sites.

The arrival of European settlers in the late 17th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios, seeking to convert the native people to Christianity and assert control over the area. However, conflicts between the Apache and Spanish colonizers were frequent, as the Apache fiercely defended their territory and resisted colonization.

In the mid-19th century, tensions escalated in Cochise County as white settlers encroached upon Apache lands. One of the most notable figures of this time was Cochise, a prominent Apache chief who resisted the encroachment and fought against the US Army. Notorious conflicts such as the Battle of Apache Pass and the Apache Wars became synonymous with the region's history.

The establishment of mining towns in the late 19th century greatly influenced the development of Cochise County. Silver, gold, and copper mines attracted a wave of immigrants, creating bustling towns like Tombstone and Bisbee. These towns prospered for several decades, but by the early 20th century, the mining industry declined, leading to economic hardships for the county.

Today, Cochise County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant communities. It continues to attract visitors with its historical sites, including Tombstone's historic district and the Chiricahua National Monument, while embracing its Native American roots and celebrating the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the region.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cochise County, Arizona.

  • 1850: Cochise County lands become part of the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
  • 1860: The Butterfield Overland Mail establishes a stagecoach route through present-day Cochise County.
  • 1861: Cochise County is officially established as a county in the Arizona Territory.
  • 1877: Tombstone is founded and becomes one of the most prosperous mining towns in the region.
  • 1881: The infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral takes place in Tombstone.
  • 1886: Cochise County witnesses the surrender of Geronimo, marking the end of the Apache Wars.
  • 1915: The Cochise County Courthouse in Bisbee is completed, reflecting the wealth and importance of the mining industry.
  • 1961: The closure of the Bisbee copper mines leads to a decline in the county's economy.
  • 2003: The border town of Douglas becomes a key entry point for drug smuggling from Mexico.