Fairbank in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Boom Days
Back when the "Old West" was young...
In 1882, by then known as "Junction City" it was renamed by Chicago grain broker, Nathanial Kellogg Fairbank. He helped finance the railroad and was an organizer of the Grand Central Mining Company in Tombstone. Also that year, a "wye" for turning locomotives was installed and the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad turned abruptly west to Nogales and Sonora, Mexico. The town already had a store, a saloon and several houses.
In the late 1880's, the construction of the Arizona and Southeastern Railroad spurred business activity in Fairbank, making it a major transportation hub. Here, people transferred trains or caught stagecoaches that carried them over bumpy roads to Tombstone, Bisbee, or other mining towns.
Many residents of Fairbank worked at the nearby Grand Central Mill from around 1879 until 1883. Others worked at stores, saloons, restaurants or the hotel. In 1888 there were four stores, five saloons, three restaurants and lots sold for $50 to $150.
Spanish:
Fairbank fue fundado durante el auge de la minería de plata en la década de 1880. Una vez llamado Kendall, comenzó como una parada de diligencias en el camino a Tombstone, que en ese entonces era una de las ciudades más grandes del Oeste. Los salvajes personajes que hicieron famoso a Tombstone también caminaron por las polvorientas calles de Fairbank.
En 1882, entonces conocida como "Junction City", el corredor de granos de Chicago, Nathanial Kellogg Fairbank, le cambió el nombre. Ayudó a financiar el ferrocarril y fue organizador de Grand Central Mining Company en Tombstone. También ese año, se instaló una "estrella" para hacer girar las locomotoras y el Ferrocarril de Nuevo México y Arizona giró abruptamente hacia el oeste hacia Nogales y Sonora, México. El pueblo ya contaba con una tienda, una cantina y varias casas.
A finales de la década de 1880, la construcción del Arizona and Southeastern Railroad estimuló la actividad empresarial en Fairbank, convirtiéndolo en un importante centro de transporte. Aquí, la gente transfirió trenes o tomó diligencias que los llevaban por caminos llenos de baches hasta Tombstone, Bisbee u otros pueblos mineros.
Muchos residentes de Fairbank trabajaron en el cercano Grand Central Mill desde aproximadamente 1879 hasta 1883. Otros trabajaron en tiendas, salones, restaurantes o en el hotel. En 1888 había cuatro tiendas, cinco salones, tres restaurantes y lotes vendidos entre 50 y 150 dólares.
Erected by Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 31° 43.358′ N, 110° 11.315′ W. Marker is in Fairbank, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is at the intersection of State Road 82 and North Old Fairbank Road on State Road 82. The marker is located on the grounds of the Fairbank Historic Townsite. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2679 N Old Fairbank Rd, Huachuca City AZ 85616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands and in Southeastern Arizona. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Gadsden Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: On the right track (within shouting distance of this marker); Water... (within shouting distance of this marker); A diversity of people (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairbank... (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Fairbank Historic Townsite (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Huachuca (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edward Schieffelin (approx. 5.1 miles away); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairbank.
More about this marker. The Spanish text was translated from Google Translate to the English text.
Also see . . . Fairbank Historic Townsite. Department of the Interior (Submitted on July 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

