Near Elfrida in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Soldiers Hole

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

1. Soldiers Hole Marker

Inscription. During the Chiricahua Apache Campaign (1861-1886) cavalry troops on maneuvers camped here at a permanent source of water known as Soldiers Hole.

W. C. Sanderson and Ambrose Lyall struck artesian water nearby in 1883.

In 1892 a twelve-battery stamp mill was erected and a post office was established under the name "Descanso", meaning a haven of rest. A school was built which the Mormon settlers also used for their church.

When the railroad by-passed Soldiers Hole in 1909, its usefulness came to an end.

Cochise County Historical Society •• Whitewater/Elfrida L.D.S. Ward
The Grizzle Family •• The Cooper Family
Jim Collett
Rocks from the stamp mill were used for the monument.

Erected 2000 by Cochise County Historical Society, Whitewater/Elfrida L.D.S. Ward, The Grizzle Family, The Cooper Family, Jim Collett.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 31° 42.007′ N, 109° 43.632′ W. Marker is near Elfrida, Arizona,

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in Cochise County. It is on West Gleeson Road 2½ miles west of Arizona Highway 191, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elfrida AZ 85610, 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 one other marker is within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Gleeson Jail (approx. 6.4 miles away).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

2. Soldiers Hole Marker

View to the northwest and Dragoon Mountains.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

3. Soldiers Hole Marker

View to the northeast and the Chiricahua Mountains.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,077 times since then and 199 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.