Near Florence in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Poston's Butte

— Historic Site —

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 16, 2010

1. Poston's Butte Marker

Inscription. Charles Debrille Poston, 1825-1902, often referred to as the "Father of Arizona", promoted territorial status for Arizona during President Lincoln's administration. Poston, motivated by silver mining interests lobbied for federal legislation to create the Territory of Arizona in 1863. At various times Poston served as federal Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Arizona, agricultural agent in Phoenix, U.S. Land Register in Florence, U.S. Consul at Nogales and Arizona's first Congressional delegate. Poston envisioned, but never built, a temple to the sun, two miles west, on Primrose Hill. He was buried atop this hill, now called Poston's Butte.

Erected 1986 by Pinal County Historical Society and Arizona Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 33° 3.326′ N, 111° 22.755′ W. Marker is near Florence, Arizona, in Pinal County. It is on North Pinal Parkway (State Highway 79) 0.1 miles south of East Hunt Highway,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

on the left when traveling north. Marker is on west side of road just north of the Gila River Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AZ 85132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

in the San Carlos Apache Nation,

and specifically in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bear Down (here, next to this marker); Camp Florence (approx. 1.3 miles away); Carmen Michea House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Michea House and Lone Star General Store (approx. 1.4 miles away); Walker – Oury House (approx. 1.4 miles away); First Pinal County Courthouse (approx. 1.4 miles away); Andronico Loroña House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ignacio Manjarres House (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 11, 2023

2. Poston's Butte Marker

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 11, 2023

3. Poston's Butte Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 16, 2010

4. Poston's Butte Marker

Poston's Butte can be seen in the far background.

Poston's Butte image. Click for full size.

circa 1925

5. Poston's Butte

At the dedication of Poston's Monument April 26, 1925. Photo Copied from Arizona Historical Society Library & Archives/Tucson

See "Related Marker" for additional information.

Chas. D. Poston Monument image. Click for more information.

Photographed by C. Fahey

6. Chas. D. Poston Monument

Monument located at Poston's Butte.
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,943 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.