A little about Ajo:
Ajo became a visitor destination in the 1990's, about a decade
after Phelps Dodge (PD) closed the copper mine that had operated for
many decades. The main mine site is an interesting Ajo visitor
destination. In the 1990s signs to Ajo advertised 'homes
for sale for $10,000', attracting young retirees seeking good winter
weather, affordable housing, and interesting desert activities.
In 2010, Ajo hosts between 3,000 and 6,000 residents, including winter
and year-round residents as well as temporary and permanent staff
working on the US-Mexico border initiatives.
Ajo translates to
'garlic' in Spanish. Many residents and visitors speak
Spanish. Active family ranches surrounded Ajo decades ago,
raising livestock, farming and ranching. Surrounded by the
Sonoran Desert, one of the most unique and interesting desert
landscapes in the world, Ajo visitors have a wide range of active
exploration options available to choose from. A creative,
popular couple who lived in Ajo in the early years of the 1900's, had a vision and conceived of the idea of the Spanish
Plaza, the two mission-style churches facing the Plaza, and the
architecturally beautiful Curly School, which housed Ajo's K-12 school
children for many decades. Paved streets, city water and
sewer and available utilities add to what makes Ajo a popular, small town.
Ajo is in SW Arizona, about a two-hour drive from
Yuma, Phoenix, Tucson, Casa Grande, and the beaches of Mexico at Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco on most maps).
The town is surrounded by thousands of acres of BLM, wilderness,
national monument and public lands, providing a wide range of desert
visitor activities.
Sites, Organizations and Activities: Ajo
Country Club - golf, restaurant, RV hook-ups, and host site for the
35th annual Fiddlers Festival and Weekend Contests (February each
year). 77 West Mead Road (East of Highway 86; north of Ajo).
520-387-5011
Airport - Eric Marcus local airport, once a military airport, is
now operated by Pima County. No tower nor scheduled flights exist.
A small strip exists with single engine aircraft capacity. Local RC
airplane enthusiasts often fly their home-built remote controlled
aircraft here weekend mornings. Observers are welcome.
BLM and federal lands,
hiking trails, rest stops, mountain outlooks, camping opportunities.
Check with the BLM, Fish and Wildlife, Cabeza, the Ajo
News.
Elks Club - open to members and their guests.
Frequent fundraisers, dinners and activities with public invitations.
Located at Solana Avenue close to the Plaza.
Cabeza Prieta National
Wildlife Refuge - Third largest wildlife refuge in the Lower 48 states.
Fully staffed interpretive center in the middle of Ajo (Corner
of North Street and Second Avenue), with l,000 miles of
refuge extending to the Mexico border. Seven mountain ranges,
hunting, guided excursions, volunteer opportunities.
Casino - Golden Ha-San. 15 minutes south of Ajo at Mile Post 55, Highway 86, in Why. 520-362-2746.
Churches
- Twelve different churches and faith groups serve the Ajo area.
Ask us, or get a local newspaper for information on your choice of
churches.
Clubs -
Ajo boasts many clubs that are open to the public to join for a nominal
fee, many with monthly meetings, charitable community projects, travel,
talent showcasing, and volunteer opportunities. Check with the
Ajo Salazar Library, as many of them meet there, as well as the Ajo
Copper News, for contact information.
ISDA International Sonoran Desert Alliance -
collaborative non-profit with a mission to enhance and preserve the
Sonoran Desert. Offices located in the Curly School, 401 W.
Esperanza; and 400 Vananda. Open Monday to Friday. Call
for hours, activities and events. 520-387-6738 or -6823.
Lions
Club - Small white building kitty-corner from city park on
North Cameron Street. Pot lucks, fundraisers, activities.
520-387-7659
Museum and Mine Lookout Site - Two minutes Southwest of the town of Ajo, both are well worth a visitor's time.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Southern Arizona is complete with a tour of Organ Pipe, with a fully
staffed interpretive center and thousands of acres of wilderness with
trails, rest areas, parking and conveniences. 2 hours - to all
day. 30 minutes south from Ajo.
Pima
County Parks and Rec - Ajo city parks, swimming pool, activities,
lectures, classes, senior nutrition, more. Bud Walker Park, 290
W. 5th. 520-3897-6641.
VFW Post 3578. Located on
Second Avenue close to Olsen's Grocery. Open regularly to Vets
and their guests; many fundraisers, dinners and activities announced
with the public invited. 520-387-6342.