Near Gila River in Pinal county, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Gila River Indian Reservation

(Established 1859)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

1. Gila River Indian Reservation Marker

Inscription. Here the first Government Indian School was established for Pimas and Maricopas in 1871, with Rev. Charles H. Cook as teacher. It was the location of Pima villages, friendly resting place for travelers during the Mexican War and the Gold Rush. It was also the birth place of Ira Hayes, a Pima, one of the U.S. Marines in the famed Flag-Raising at Iwo Jima.

Erected 1965 by Arizona Development Board, Arizona Highway Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 33° 1.698′ N, 111° 46.302′ W. Marker is near Gila River in Pinal county, Arizona. It can be reached from Interstate 10 at milepost 183. Marker is located at the Westbound rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Casa Grande AZ 85122, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gadsden Purchase (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Gadsden Purchase (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Gadsden Purchase (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Gila River Indian Reservation (approx. 1.2 miles away); Honoring Native American Women Veterans

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(approx. 3.9 miles away); Dedicated to Ira H. Hayes USMC (approx. 3.9 miles away); Military Order Purple Heart of the U.S.A. (approx. 3.9 miles away); Dedicated to the Memory of Matthew B. Juan (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gila River.

More about this marker. A duplicate marker is located at the Eastbound Rest Area 1.2 miles west of this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Pima Tribal History. (Submitted on July 30, 2010.)
2. Maricopa Indian Tribe History. (Submitted on July 30, 2010.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

2. Gila River Indian Reservation Marker

First Schoolhouse Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

3. First Schoolhouse Monument

The First Schoolhouse Monument is located on Casa Blanca Road at milepost 13, Sacaton, AZ
(33.088683n 111.775408w)

First Schoolhouse Monument - Viewed from the Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

4. First Schoolhouse Monument - Viewed from the Road

Sacaton rest area on I-10 westbound. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

5. Sacaton rest area on I-10 westbound.

The Gila River Indian Reservation Marker is on the brick wall and the two Gadsen Purchase Markers are at the far left and far right in the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,815 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.