Cochise was started in the 1880's as a railroad water and fuel stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Cochise Hotel was built here in 1882 by a railroad official to house the railroad crews. He even put a Wells Fargo office in the front of the hotel. As mining and ranching grew in the area, Cochise became a permanent settlement of up to 3,000 people. The post office was granted in 1896. It still operates today, although, there only about 20 people in Cochise now. The best remnants of Cochise's past are shown on this page.
An important day in Cochise history was September 9, 1899. On this day, Billy Stiles and Matt Burt, of the Stiles-Alvord gang robbed a train in Cochise. They were eventually cptured but were back at it again in Fairbank five months later (see Fairbank).
Courtland started in 1909, when several mining companies opened mines in the area. The town eventually had 2,000 people. It lasted into the Great Depression. The post office finally closed in 1942.
In its heyday, Courtland, had a movie theater, post office, ice cream parlor, newspaper (Courtland Arizonan), pool hall, butcher shop, jail, store, and a Wells Fargo office. Today, Courtland is completely deserted. It is a true ghost town. All that remains are a parts of a store, jail and a foundation.
To get to Cochise, take I-10 to exit 331. take Highway 191 south for 4 miles to the Cochise turnoff (marked). It's a mile or so from here.
To get to Courtland, follow above directions. Do not turn at Cochise, continue on to Pearce. At Pearce, take Gleeson-Pearce Road south for about 11 miles to Courtland. You will see the ruins of the jail around a curve in the road. Some of the trip is gravel, but very good roads.
