Douglas, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona
, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico
and a history of mining
.
The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census. According to 2008 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,316.
Douglas stands on the U.S.-Mexico border, across from the city of Agua Prieta
, Sonora
, Mexico
.
was established in 1776 and abandoned in 1780. It was located a few miles east of present day Douglas. The United States Army
established Camp San Bernardino in the latter half of the 19th century near the presidio and in 1910 Camp Douglas
was built next to the town. Douglas was founded as an American smelter town, to treat the copper
ores of nearby Bisbee, Arizona
. The town is named after mining pioneer James Douglas
. Two copper smelters operated at the site. The Calumet and Arizona Company Smelter was built in 1902. The Copper Queen operated in Douglas from 1904 until 1931, when the Phelps Dodge Corporation purchased the Calumet and Arizona Company and took over their smelter. The Calumet and Arizona smelter then became the Douglas Reduction Works. Douglas was the site of the Phelps-Dodge Corporation Douglas Reduction Works until its closure in 1987. The smoke stacks of the smelter were not taken down until January 13, 1991.
The town was a site of the Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983.
The "Cowboys Home Saloon " was the location of the fatal shooting of bar owner Lorenzo "Lon" Bass. The accused was Arizona Ranger William W. Webb. The date was February 8, 1903. A full report can be read in The Arizona Rangers by Bill ONeal pub, Eakin Press Austin Texas.
In 1916, the Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa
threatened to attack Douglas, believing Americans responsible for his defeat at the Second Battle of Agua Prieta
.
, Aaron's Furniture, and a Best Western
69-room three-story hotel, which opened in the summer of 2009. The city has also approved the construction of a Hampton Inn hotel next to the Best Western.
There is also an approved new border entry with nine entrances, including for commercial trucks; construction is planned for 2012. Over the past four years, 5th Street has seen the opening of many new fast food restaurants and retail
shops.
Public middle schools
Public high School
Private schools
Schools with a - mark are under performing for the state of Arizona
standards.
Schools with a + mark are performing for the state of Arizona standards.
steppe climate, which is cooler and wetter than a typical arid
climate classification. In the winter months, Douglas averages in the mid to upper 60s, with both January and February averaging daily highs of 64°F (18°C). Lows typically settle just below the freezing mark (32°F/0°C) on a majority of nights, but it is not uncommon to see temperatures tumble below 25 °F (-3.9 °C) on some winter nights.
On the other hand, in the summer months, highs average between 90°F (32°C) and 100°F (38°C), with the month of June being the hottest with an average daytime high of 97 °F (36.1 °C). Nighttime lows for the summer months remain in the upper 50s and lower 60s (near 15°C) for the duration of the season. June and July typically see 6 inches (152.4 mm) or more of combined rainfall, which brings the average annual precipitation
for Douglas to about 19 inches (482.6 mm).
Douglas' all-time highest recorded temperature is 111 °F (43.9 °C) which was reached on July, 1905. The all-time low temperature was -7 F, which occurred in January 1913.
Douglas is home to the historic Gadsden Hotel
, which opened in 1907. Named for the Gadsden Purchase
, the stately five-story, 160-room hotel became a home away from home for cattlemen, ranchers, miners, and businessmen. The hotel was leveled by fire and rebuilt in 1929. The Gadsden is recognized as a National Historic Site
. The Gadsden's spacious main lobby is majestically set with a solid white Italian marble staircase and four soaring marble columns. An authentic Tiffany & Co.
stained glass mural extends 42 feet (13 m) across one wall of the massive mezzanine. An impressive oil painting by Audley Jean Nichols is just below the Tiffany window. Vaulted stained glass skylights run the full length of the lobby.
The San Bernardino Ranch, was originally established in Mexico and covered thousands of acres. The new US-Mexico border of the Gadsden Purchase sliced through the ranch, thus reducing its US size. It is still called San Bernardino Ranch today (2009), but is still affectionately called "Slaughter's Ranch" almost 100 years after the death of John Slaughter, the owner in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
"Centuries before the first white explorers discovered the land now called Arizona
, this fertile valley region
served as a major corridor for migrating Indians. In time, the grasses and streams attracted wandering Athabaskan peoples, the Apaches, who would prove so troublesome to Anglo-American
pioneers. Next to arrive were the Spanish, in an imperial procession of conquistadors, missionaries, soldiers, colonists. Although Slaughter was born in Louisiana
, his family moved to Texas when he was a baby where they were known for their huge cattle ranches. Slaughter became acquainted with the ways of the Indian growing up and became an excellent tracker and marksman which proved valuable in later life. Slaughter was small in stature but that did not deter him from becoming a man to be feared and respected by those on the side of the law—and by those who were not—when he was elected Sheriff of Cochise County in 1886. In 1822, an original Mexican land grant of 73240 acres (296.4 km²) was sold to Ignacio Perez for 90 pesos plus fees. An earthquake in 1887
destroyed the original buildings which Slaughter had built for his in-laws. After his second term as sheriff, he moved to the ranch and the present house was built in 1893. "Our future lay within it and it was beautiful." Little did she realize the impact her husband and this ranch would have for generations to come. It became a beautiful oasis in the desert.
86.0%,Other race 31.8%, White Non-Hispanic 12.1%,Two or more races 2.9%, American Indian
1.3%.
There were 4,526 households out of which 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,567, and the median income for a family was $22,425. Males had a median income of $25,320 versus $18,447 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,232. About 32.1% of families and 36.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.0% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
Cochise County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*78.5% White*4.2% Black*1.2% Native American*1.9% Asian*0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.0% Two or more races*9.6% Other races*32.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and a history of mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
.
The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census. According to 2008 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,316.
Geography
Douglas is located at 31°20′42"N 109°32′29"W (31.344911, -109.541376).Douglas stands on the U.S.-Mexico border, across from the city of Agua Prieta
Agua Prieta
Agua Prieta is a pueblo and municipality in the northeastern corner of the Mexican state of Sonora . It stands on the U.S.–Mexico border, adjacent to the town of Douglas, Arizona, USA. The municipality covers an area of 3,631.65 km²...
, Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
History
The Douglas area was first settled by the Spanish in the 18th century. Presidio de San BernardinoPresidio de San Bernardino
The Presidio de San Bernardino, Fort San Bernardino, or Camp San Berdardino Springs was originally the site of a Spanish fortress built in 1776 and abandoned in 1780. It was located a few miles east of present day Douglas, Arizona. In 1883, a temporary post was established by the United States Army...
was established in 1776 and abandoned in 1780. It was located a few miles east of present day Douglas. The United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
established Camp San Bernardino in the latter half of the 19th century near the presidio and in 1910 Camp Douglas
Camp Douglas
Camp Douglas can refer to a location in the United States:* Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, a small city* Camp Douglas , a Union prison camp during the American Civil War* Camp Douglas , a U.S. Army post along the Oregon Trail in Utah...
was built next to the town. Douglas was founded as an American smelter town, to treat the copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
ores of nearby Bisbee, Arizona
Bisbee, Arizona
Bisbee is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, 82 miles southeast of Tucson. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 6,177...
. The town is named after mining pioneer James Douglas
James Douglas (businessman)
James S. Douglas was a Canadian mining engineer and businessman who introduced a number of metallurgical innovations in copper mining....
. Two copper smelters operated at the site. The Calumet and Arizona Company Smelter was built in 1902. The Copper Queen operated in Douglas from 1904 until 1931, when the Phelps Dodge Corporation purchased the Calumet and Arizona Company and took over their smelter. The Calumet and Arizona smelter then became the Douglas Reduction Works. Douglas was the site of the Phelps-Dodge Corporation Douglas Reduction Works until its closure in 1987. The smoke stacks of the smelter were not taken down until January 13, 1991.
The town was a site of the Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983.
The "Cowboys Home Saloon " was the location of the fatal shooting of bar owner Lorenzo "Lon" Bass. The accused was Arizona Ranger William W. Webb. The date was February 8, 1903. A full report can be read in The Arizona Rangers by Bill ONeal pub, Eakin Press Austin Texas.
In 1916, the Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or its hypocorism Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals....
threatened to attack Douglas, believing Americans responsible for his defeat at the Second Battle of Agua Prieta
Second Battle of Agua Prieta
The Second Battle of Agua Prieta was fought between the forces of Pancho Villa and those of the future President of Mexico, Plutarco Elías Calles, a supporter of Venustiano Carranza, on November 1, 1915, at Agua Prieta, Sonora, as part of the Mexican Revolution. Villa's attack on the town was...
.
Growth
Douglas has experienced both residential and economic growth. Construction has been completed on a new call center called Advance Call Center Technologies (ACT). The facility is expected to create 700 new jobs for the city. Douglas has also seen construction on a new Carl's Jr.Carl's Jr.
Carl's Jr. is an American fast-food restaurant chain located mostly in the Western and Southwestern United States. The first store has opened in Canada in Kelowna, BC. They are in the process of expanding to Mexico, Malaysia, Denmark, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Russia, Vietnam,...
, Aaron's Furniture, and a Best Western
Best Western
Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free...
69-room three-story hotel, which opened in the summer of 2009. The city has also approved the construction of a Hampton Inn hotel next to the Best Western.
There is also an approved new border entry with nine entrances, including for commercial trucks; construction is planned for 2012. Over the past four years, 5th Street has seen the opening of many new fast food restaurants and retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
shops.
Schools in Douglas
Public elementary schools- + Clawson Elementary School/ Denise Cox (Principal)
- - Joe Carlson Elementary School/ Cyndy Ortega (Principal)
- + Faras Elementary School/ Claudia Leon (Principal)
- - Sarah Marley Elementary School/ Claudia Leon (Principal)
- + Stevenson Elementary School/ George Montano (Princiapl)
Public middle schools
- - Paul Huber Middle School/ Andrea Overman (Principal) Jasper Lusby (Asst. Principal)
- + Ray Borane Middle School/ Mary Good (Principal) Ana Samaniego (Asst. Principal)
Public high School
- + Douglas High School/ Ralph Schneider (Principal) Randy Walker (Asst. Principal) Melissa Rodriguez (Asst. Principal)
Private schools
- + CAS Elementary,Middle, and High school
- ? Loretto Catholic School
- + Omega Alpha Academy K-12 Charter School
Schools with a - mark are under performing for the state of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
standards.
Schools with a + mark are performing for the state of Arizona standards.
Climate
Douglas has a semi-aridSemi-arid
A semi-arid climate or steppe climate describes climatic regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not extremely...
steppe climate, which is cooler and wetter than a typical arid
Arid
A region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available water, to the extent of hindering or even preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life...
climate classification. In the winter months, Douglas averages in the mid to upper 60s, with both January and February averaging daily highs of 64°F (18°C). Lows typically settle just below the freezing mark (32°F/0°C) on a majority of nights, but it is not uncommon to see temperatures tumble below 25 °F (-3.9 °C) on some winter nights.
On the other hand, in the summer months, highs average between 90°F (32°C) and 100°F (38°C), with the month of June being the hottest with an average daytime high of 97 °F (36.1 °C). Nighttime lows for the summer months remain in the upper 50s and lower 60s (near 15°C) for the duration of the season. June and July typically see 6 inches (152.4 mm) or more of combined rainfall, which brings the average annual precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
for Douglas to about 19 inches (482.6 mm).
Douglas' all-time highest recorded temperature is 111 °F (43.9 °C) which was reached on July, 1905. The all-time low temperature was -7 F, which occurred in January 1913.
Sights
Also see Chiricahua National MonumentChiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service located in the Chiricahua Mountains. It is famous for its extensive vertical rock formations. The monument is located approximately southeast of Willcox, Arizona. It preserves the remains of an immense volcanic eruption that...
Gadsden Hotel
Gadsden Hotel is a historic building in Douglas, Arizona. It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1976.The hotel opened in 1907. Named for the Gadsden Purchase, the stately five-story, 160-room hotel became a home away from home for cattlemen, ranchers, miners, and...
, which opened in 1907. Named for the Gadsden Purchase
Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase is a region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was purchased by the United States in a treaty signed by James Gadsden, the American ambassador to Mexico at the time, on December 30, 1853. It was then ratified, with changes, by the U.S...
, the stately five-story, 160-room hotel became a home away from home for cattlemen, ranchers, miners, and businessmen. The hotel was leveled by fire and rebuilt in 1929. The Gadsden is recognized as a National Historic Site
National Historic Sites (United States)
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
. The Gadsden's spacious main lobby is majestically set with a solid white Italian marble staircase and four soaring marble columns. An authentic Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
stained glass mural extends 42 feet (13 m) across one wall of the massive mezzanine. An impressive oil painting by Audley Jean Nichols is just below the Tiffany window. Vaulted stained glass skylights run the full length of the lobby.
- San Bernardino RanchSan Bernardino RanchSan Bernardino Ranch is a site in the southern San Bernardino Valley in the region of the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in extreme southeast Cochise County, Arizona that is significant for its association with the beginning of cattle ranching in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The...
The San Bernardino Ranch, was originally established in Mexico and covered thousands of acres. The new US-Mexico border of the Gadsden Purchase sliced through the ranch, thus reducing its US size. It is still called San Bernardino Ranch today (2009), but is still affectionately called "Slaughter's Ranch" almost 100 years after the death of John Slaughter, the owner in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
"Centuries before the first white explorers discovered the land now called Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, this fertile valley region
San Bernardino Valley (Arizona)
The San Bernardino Valley of Arizona is a northeast by southwest trending valley in extreme southeast Cochise County, Arizona.The north end of the valley merges into the northwest by southeast trending San Simon Valley; both merge in western Hidaldgo County, New Mexico...
served as a major corridor for migrating Indians. In time, the grasses and streams attracted wandering Athabaskan peoples, the Apaches, who would prove so troublesome to Anglo-American
English American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
pioneers. Next to arrive were the Spanish, in an imperial procession of conquistadors, missionaries, soldiers, colonists. Although Slaughter was born in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, his family moved to Texas when he was a baby where they were known for their huge cattle ranches. Slaughter became acquainted with the ways of the Indian growing up and became an excellent tracker and marksman which proved valuable in later life. Slaughter was small in stature but that did not deter him from becoming a man to be feared and respected by those on the side of the law—and by those who were not—when he was elected Sheriff of Cochise County in 1886. In 1822, an original Mexican land grant of 73240 acres (296.4 km²) was sold to Ignacio Perez for 90 pesos plus fees. An earthquake in 1887
1887 Sonora earthquake
The 1887 Sonora earthquake occurred at 22:13 UCT on 3 May in the Teras mountain range of northwestern Mexico. It was widely felt, with some damage being recorded up to 200 km from the epicenter in both Mexico and the United States. The earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.6 and caused 42...
destroyed the original buildings which Slaughter had built for his in-laws. After his second term as sheriff, he moved to the ranch and the present house was built in 1893. "Our future lay within it and it was beautiful." Little did she realize the impact her husband and this ranch would have for generations to come. It became a beautiful oasis in the desert.
- El Paso and Southwestern RailroadEl Paso and Southwestern RailroadThe El Paso and Southwestern Railroad was a short-line American railway company which operated in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, with line extensions across the international border into Mexico. The railroad was known as the Arizona and South Eastern Railroad from 1888 to 1902.-Founding:James...
depot was an important train station. It transported copper to large manufacturing concerns in the east. The depot is considered one of the finest examples of railway architecture of the early 20th century. The building is now used for the Douglas police station and is just one of 400 buildings on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in Douglas.
- The Douglas Grand TheatreDouglas Grand TheatreThe Grand Theatre in Douglas, Arizona opened in 1919. Ginger Rogers, Pavlova and John Philip Sousa to mention just a few performed on stage at the Grand Theatre. Originally, it also housed a Tea Room, a candy store and a barbershop...
was built in 1919 and was the largest theater between Los Angeles and San Antonio. Ginger RogersGinger RogersGinger Rogers was an American actress, dancer, and singer who appeared in film, and on stage, radio, and television throughout much of the 20th century....
, Anna Pavlova and John Philip SousaJohn Philip SousaJohn Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
are some of the famous faces to have graced the theater's stage. It also housed a tea room, candy store and barbershop in its glory days. For several Halloweens the Grand Theater was used as a "Haunted House" attraction. Today (2009) the theater is undergoing reconstruction, using private donations of money, supplies and labor.
Notable residents
- Jay Dusard, contemporary photographer, 1981 Guggenheim award winner, recipient of two book awards and a Pulitzer nomination.
- Manny FarberManny FarberEmanuel "Manny" Farber was an American painter, film critic and writer. Often described as "iconoclastic" , Farber developed a distinctive prose style and set of theoretical stances which have had a large influence on later generations of film critics; Susan Sontag considered him to be "the...
, an iconoclastic stylist who achieved prominence first as film critic and later as a painter was born in Douglas in 1917. - Western songwriter Stan JonesStan Jones (songwriter)Stan Jones was an American songwriter and actor.Stanley Davis "Stan" Jones was born in Douglas, Arizona, and grew up on a ranch. When his father died, his mother moved the family to Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, competing in rodeos to make money...
, (June 14, 1914 to December 13, 1963) who wrote "Ghost Riders in the Sky", and is in the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, was born and reared in Douglas. - Bill MeléndezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
, born José Cuauhtémoc Meléndez in Mexico in 1916, was educated in the public schools of Douglas as a child. A character animator, film producer and film director, he is best known for his work as the voice of Snoopy in the Charlie Brown series. - "Texas John" Slaughter, Cochise County Sheriff (1886–1896), rancher, gunfighter, cattleman, businessman, community leader in Douglas' early years, and a champion for Arizona's statehood. He and his wife ViolaViola SlaughterCora Viola Howell , later to become Viola Slaughter, was a famous Arizona rancher and the wife of sheriff John Slaughter.-Early years:Viola Slaughter was born in Missouri to Amazon and Mary Ann Howell...
are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Douglas. His character was played by Tom TryonTom TryonTom Tryon was an American film and television actor, best known for playing the title role in the film The Cardinal and the Walt Disney television character Texas John Slaughter...
in a Walt Disney Presents miniseriesMiniseriesA miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
entitled Texas John Slaughter - Effie Anderson SmithEffie Anderson SmithEffie Anderson Smith , also known as Mrs. A.Y. Smith, was an early Arizona impressionist painter of desert landscapes, many of Cochise County , and the Grand Canyon. She was born in Nashville, Arkansas and died in Prescott, Arizona...
, also known as Mrs. A.Y. Smith (1869–1955), an early Arizona Impressionist painter of desert landscapes around Cochise County, and especially of the Grand Canyon. Often referred to in newspaper and magazine articles of the period as the "Dean of Arizona Women Artists". - Thornton WilderThornton WilderThornton Niven Wilder was an American playwright and novelist. He received three Pulitzer Prizes, one for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and two for his plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth, and a National Book Award for his novel The Eighth Day.-Early years:Wilder was born in Madison,...
, the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and novelist, once made Douglas his temporary home. He started his longest novel, The Eighth Day while living in Douglas. On his initial visit to the city, he stayed at the historic Gadsden Hotel. - Robert KrentzRobert KrentzRobert N. Krentz Jr. was a prominent rancher in the U.S. state of Arizona. Active in a family cattle ranching business stretching back nearly 100 years, he and his family ranch were inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame in 2008...
a Douglas area rancher who was murdered in 2010 by a suspected illegal immigrant. The murder of Krentz is credited for bringing about Arizona's SB1070 immigration law. - Hazel CarterHazel CarterDuring World War I, Hazel Carter of Douglas, Arizona stowed away on a ship to France to stay with her soldier husband, Corporal John Carter.When her husband was to be sent overseas, she tried to join the Red Cross so she could be near him, but was not accepted. She wore an Army uniform to conceal...
World War II wife who wore an army uniform in attempts to join her husband.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,312 people, 4,526 households, and 3,453 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,852.7 people per square mile (715.8/km²). There were 5,186 housing units at an average density of 671.3 per square mile (259.4/km²). HispanicHispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
86.0%,Other race 31.8%, White Non-Hispanic 12.1%,Two or more races 2.9%, American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
1.3%.
There were 4,526 households out of which 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,567, and the median income for a family was $22,425. Males had a median income of $25,320 versus $18,447 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,232. About 32.1% of families and 36.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.0% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
Popular Culture
Film- The Life and Times of Judge Roy BeanThe Life and Times of Judge Roy BeanThe Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is a 1972 western film written by John Milius, directed by John Huston, and starring Paul Newman...
- Arizona DreamArizona DreamArizona Dream is a 1993 film directed by Emir Kusturica and starring Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis and Faye Dunaway.-Plot:Axel has a dream about an Eskimo who catches a rare halibut and brings it back to his family in an igloo...
- Terminal VelocityTerminal Velocity (film)Terminal Velocity is a 1994 action movie starring Charlie Sheen as a daredevil skydiver who becomes mixed up with Russian spies. It was written by David Twohy and directed by Deran Sarafian. Originally, Sheen's role was written for Tom Cruise, although William Baldwin was also considered. The...
- Pontiac MoonPontiac MoonPontiac Moon is a 1994 adventure film directed by Peter Medak, and produced by Robert Schaffel and Youssef Vahabzadeh.The film stars Ted Danson as Washington Bellamy, a "pigheaded" science teacher in a small California town, and Mary Steenburgen as his wife Katherine. Danson was also one of 3...
- Ruby Jean and Joe(film)
External links
- Douglas, AZ website
- The Douglas Daily Dispatch
- CityData
- The Smelter City of the Southwest, National Magazine, July 1905 (with historic photos)