Why Willcox Was Once World Famous

Located just east of Tucson, Arizona lies Willcox. A small, agricultural town whose roots were set down at the peak of the Old West.

Nowadays, the town is only home to some 3,200 people, but don't let its small town demeanor fool you. There was a time when Willcox was not only the center of America's attention, but the world's.

Willcox's Origins in the Old West

Despite it's fame in the later years, Willcox had humble beginnings. Founded in late 1880, the town served one purpose and one purpose only: as a stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The city lies halfway between El Paso and Phoenix, making it the logical location for a new stop on the rail line.

From there, however, the town grew as an agricultural hub, drawing more and more to the frontier of the Old West, with picturesque views and stunning landscapes. As the turn of the century rolled in, so too, did the tides turn for the Frontier town.

Want More Willcox? Check Out Their STUNNING Chiricahua Mountains

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Willcox: The Cattle City

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Willcox began focusing on one specific export: Cattle. The environment was perfect for bovine to grow and develop in, and as such, they became the city's most valuable product.

By 1930, the city was the largest rail shipping point for cattle in the United States. As such, the city gained the nickname "The Cattle Capital of the World". Now, the city is famous as the Birthplace of the "Arizona Cowboy", Rex Allen, and one of Arizona's three designated wine growing regions.