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

Gadsden Purchase

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

1. Gadsden Purchase Marker

Inscription. The Gila River north of this site marked the international border of the United States and Mexico from 1848 to 1854. James Gadsden negotiated to purchase 38,000 sq. miles of "wild country" for $15 million in gold. Amended to $10 million for 29,640 sq. miles, the Gadsden Purchase maintained southern railroad and wagon routes but preserved Mexico's link to Baja, California. Today the Gadsden Purchase comprises 24 percent of Arizona's total land area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 33° 1.696′ N, 111° 46.298′ W. Marker is near Gila River, Arizona, in Pinal County. It can be reached from Interstate 10 at milepost 183. Marker is in 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: Gila River Indian Reservation (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Gadsden Purchase (a few steps from 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. There are two identical markers in this rest area. The second marker is just to the right of this marker at
33.028167N 111.777766W.

Also see . . . The Gadsden Purchase. This event in US and Arizona history came about due to an error in survey maps which were used to determine the borders after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. (Submitted on July 30, 2010.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

2. Gadsden Purchase Marker

The Gila River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

3. The Gila River

View to the west from Arizona highway 587 at milepost 223.

Sacaton Rest Area on I-10 Westbound. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 27, 2010

4. 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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,306 times since then and 208 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.