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

Historic Gleeson Jail

1910 - Jail

— Gleeson, Arizona —

Historic Gleeson Jail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sharon Pairman, March 31, 2013

1. Historic Gleeson Jail Marker

Inscription. This jail, built in 1910, replaced a tiny wooden jail which once stood nearby. Constructed entirely of reinforced concrete, it has withstood a hundred years of weather, escape attempts, vandals, neglect, and pillagers (official and otherwise): It stands at the center of the town of Gleeson, whose populations at one time exceeded one thousand residents, stretching north for over a mile, and east-west along Gleeson Road as well.

Primarily a mining town, Gleeson's fortunes largely rose and fell with the price of copper. When the mines shut down in 1958, most of Gleeson disappeared as well, leaving only a handful of town residents, and a few nearby ranchers. Renovation began in October of 2008, and the building serves as a center for area research and community gatherings.

Erected by Gleeson Arizona Historians.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is October 2008.

Location. 31° 43.929′ N, 109° 49.764′ W. Marker is in Gleeson, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is at the intersection of North High Lonesome Road and West Gleeson Road, on the right when traveling south on North High Lonesome Road. Marker is on the southwest corner. Touch for map. Marker

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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 3 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Soldiers Hole (approx. 6.4 miles away); Old Pearce Post Office (approx. 12 miles away); Chief Cochise (approx. 15.4 miles away).

Photographed by Sharon Pairman, March 31, 2013

2. Historic Gleeson Jail Marker

Historic Gleeson Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sharon Pairman, March 31, 2013

3. Historic Gleeson Jail

Photographed by Sandie Kirchner, circa July 1999

4. Historic Gleeson Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.