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Duncan


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Billingsley House on Hill Street

This house stood on Hill Street and was known as the Billingsley House. This home belonged to one of the well known families in Duncan. It was also known as the Earl Stowell House.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 8


B.F. Billingsley Store

B.F. Billingsley was an entrepreneur in the town of Duncan. His store has housed quite a few businesses from the time it was built until the present.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society 


photo id: 9


Billingsley Mercantile Interior

Billingsley Mercantile was a bustling business in 1910. Lots of customers shopped and visited the store in the town of Duncan, Arizona.

Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 10


Billingsley Mercantile Destroyed by Fire

Fire destroyed the Billinglsey Mercantile in the 1920s.

Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 11


Bonnie Heather Pool Hall

Built on the site where the Billingsley Mercantile once stood, the Bonnie Heather Pool Hall became a gathering site for many townspeople. The Bonnie Heather Inn still stand today in the town of Duncan, Arizona.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 12


Chow Time

One of the ranches in the area belonged to the Cosper family. Here the cowboys are getting ready for chow time.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 14


Duncan Stock Yards

Duncan Stock Yards moved a lot of cattle in and out of the area.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 15


Building a Dam

Workers build a small dam along the Gila River.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 16


Duncan Bridge

Floyd Hightower and Henry Martin pose on the "new" Gila River Bridge in the early 1900s.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 17


Duncan from Hilltop

A photo from the early 1900s of Duncan taken from the hill above the town.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 18


Interstate Farmers Flour Mill

The Interstate Farmers Flour Mill was a local landmark in the early 1920s.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society 


photo id: 19


Gila River Postcard

A postcard picturing the Gila River. Duncan lies on both sides of the Gila, although the primary portion of the town and the entire downtown area lie on the south side of the river. The town has been devastated by flooding on more than one occasion. The most recent serious flood was in 2003.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 20


The Gila River1

A wagon crosses the Gila River.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 21


The Gila River2

Wagon riding on the bank of the Gila River.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 22


Three Local Businesses

Short Order Cook Kitchen, Cosper's Meat Market and a Barber Shop along main road through Duncan in 1912. Muss Cosper owned the meat market. IDs given L-R are Bob Herald is #7, George "Doc" Nicks is #9, Jim Nicks is #11 and Jack McAlister is #12.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 24


Old Hill Place

Photo was taken in 1909 at Old Hill Place in Richmond, NM (now Virden). IDs given as Sallie (Bronaugh) Black Sullivan, Edna Black (Cosper), Ethel Black (Johnson), Henry Sullivan and Elsie the cow.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 25


Old Wilson Place

A homestead called the Old Wilson Place near Duncan in Virden, NM in 1903. 



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 26


One Room School House

One room school house was located in Sheldon, Arizona, a nearby settlement of Duncan.




Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 27


Watters' Drug Store

The first drug store in Duncan. The photo includes the first bridge over Gila River at left. Drug store was owned by Mr. J.L.T. Watters. He also owned first vehicle in town.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 28


Romney House

The Romney House was located across the road from Billingsley Mercantile  (current Bonnie Heather Bar). It is now a large parking area/RV parking area. The house was washed away in a flood. The Romney family used to raise produce to sell in town.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 29


Skating Rink/Dance Hall


A skating rink/dance hall was built in 1909 by George Phillips. It was located at the site of Billingsley's Mercantile after it burned.





Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 30


First Duncan School Building

This building was known locally as the Mexican School. This was the first school building in Duncan. Picture may have been taken around 1908. Quincy Aker is in the middle back row. He was principal of grade school (elementary). This building is now the American Legion. Segregation existed and the story is that Mexican students were in the basement classroom. Top floor was a sewing room where they sewed dresses and underwear for the needy. Jim Bejarano began the end of segregation. The top floor was taken down after the end of segregation in 1940. Other stories include it was also a library, head start, and a polling place. A story told is that it burned and the top floor was removed when it was repaired. Teachers there included Harvel Cosper and Andy Horn. Polly Garcia attended there in 1933.


Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 31


Roundup

A roundup of horses taking place near Virden, NM, in 1890s.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 32


Sullivan House

The Sullivan House stood near the present Post office with Sallie and Henry Sullivan in the yard. Photo taken in 1920s.




Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 33


Threshing Camp

Postcard from the 1890s of a Threshing Camp near Duncan.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 34


Irrigation Canal

Children fish in a local irrigation canal near Duncan.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 39


Apache Grove Bar

Highway 70 was the southern most route for travelers at one time. Musicians such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Slim Whitman, Spade Cooley, Bob Wills and Luke Wills passed through Duncan as they traveled from Austin, TX, to Tucson, AZ, and from Los Angeles to Memphis. They stopped near Duncan to play for a night at the back highway spot called Apache Grove Dance Hall. The Apache Grove Dance Hall was originally located down in the cottonwoods near the Gila River. It burned down and was rebuilt closer to the road. It is still there out on Highway 75 but no longer hosts any musical sounds. The Apache Grove Bar was located closer to Rt 75 and it also burned down but has been rebuilt and is still in operation today as a bar and convenience store. 


Photo submitted by Michael Acosta




photo id: 167


Apache Grove Waymark

Inscription: This area served as a resting place for Apache war parties during the raids of the 1880's. Near here Felix B. Knox, a cattleman and gambler, stayed behind to face Indians while his wife, children, and hired man escaped in a buckboard. Out of respect for his valor, they did not mutilate his body.

photo id: 168


Apache Grove Dance Hall

Greenlee County Cattlmen's Association meeting held at the original Apache Grove Dance Hall in the cottonwood trees along the Gila River in the 1940s.



Photo contributed by Michael Acosta


photo id: 174


Duncan flooded December 19, 1978

Main Street, Duncan, AZ, during the flood on December 19, 1978


Photo taken by James Segraves and submitted by Patti Segraves


photo id: 1237

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James Duncan Smith and wife

The original settlement on the north shore of the Gila River was known as Purdy. When the new rail line, called the Arizona and New Mexico Railroad, passed through Purdy, the settlement was moved to the south bank of the river and renamed Duncan, after Duncan Smith, the managing director of the Arizona Copper Company, according to legend.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 35


J. L. T. Watters

J. L. T. Watters was one of the entrepreneurs of early Duncan history. He now only owned local businesses, held public office, but he also was known to have had  the first car in town.



Photo courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 36

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Hal Empie - Local Artist

Hal Empie was born in a dirt-floored, one-room adobe near Safford, Arizona Territory to pioneer settlers, Allie and Hart Empie. As a young man, he worked at the Best Drug Store while attending grammar school. Upon graduation in 1927, he entered the University of Arizona in pre-med and then the Capitol College of Pharmacy in Denver.

After passing exams in Colorado and Arizona, Hal was issued a special license to practice pharmacy before the age of twentyone,making him the youngest licensed pharmacist in Arizona history.


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 193


Hal Empie - Local Artist

In 1929, Hal married Louise Reinhardt and in 1934 they purchased
the drugstore in nearby Duncan. Determined to refine
his artistic talents, he set up his easel in his pharmacy and
painted between filling prescriptions. Here he also began and
blended his third career as a cartoonist.


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 194


Hal Empie - Local Artist

A self-taught artist, Hal Empie refused to copy photographs. His only art lessons were six weeks studying the old master's techniques with renowned European master, Frederic Taubes.

Artistic success began very early in Hal's career, his work
became increasingly respected.  He was in his twenties
when first recognized by the American Federation of Arts,
Washington, DC.

Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 195


Hal Empie - Local Artist - Empie Kartoon Kards

As a cartoonist, Hal created the famous Empie Kartoon Kards, one of the earliest western cartoon copyrights. He was a major contributor to early issues of Arizona Highwqys. Postcards were marketed in thirty-eight states, Original printings are housed in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian.


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 196


Hal Empie - Local Artist - Empie Kartoon Kards

Copies of some of these cards are availble in the Duncan Library, Duncan, Arizona


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 197


Hal Empie - Local Artist - Empie Kartoon Kards

Another example of one of Hal Empie's Kartoon Kards.

Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 198


Hal Empie Oil Paining

"Salt River Canyon" Oil Painting by Hal Empie in the 1980s

Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 199


Hal Empie Oil Paining

"Ha De Ser Luz" Oil Paining by Hal Empie in the 1960s


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 200


Hal Empie Oil Paining

"The North Pasture" Oil Painting by Hal Empie from the 1990s


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 


photo id: 201


Hal Empie - Local Artist

After a major Gila River flood in Duncan, the Empies moved
to Tubac and built the Hal Empie Studio and Gallery in 1986. ,
Hal and Louise were married seventy-two years, raising three
children. Hal painted his entire life. He was an "art for art's
sake artist". His noted career spanned over three quarters of a
century. At his passing, he was the oldest continuous resident
artist in Arizona.

Stop by the Duncan Library, the Duncan Methodist Church and the Duncan High School cafeteria to see some of his artwork on display.


Photo and information provided by Hal Empie Gallery Tubac, AZ 
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com 

For more information on Hal Empie contact:

Hal Empie Gallery
33 Tubac Road Box 1570
Tubac, Arizona 85646
520-398-2811
 


photo id: 202


Duncan High School Mural painted by Hal Empie

The Duncan Public Schools Board of Trustees commissioned Empie to paint the mural in 1953 for a mere $600. It was unveiled March 13, 1954. It was soon hailed by a Phoenix art critic as “one of the greatest masterpieces of the Southwest” and it remains so to this day.

The giant painting was taken down for restoration in 2014. It was preserved through an exhausting 12-week “labor of love” by professional fine art conservator and artist, Sharlette “Charlie” Burton of Tucson. Ms. Burton kept track of the project with weekly photos and posts on a Facebook page called Empie Mural Restoration.


Read about the restoration in an article from the August 20, 2014 Copper Era.

You can visit the mural by making arrangements with Doug Barlow of Duncan at 928-215-1641,


photo id: 203


Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2006 Lark J. Wilkins

Pioneer Award
Presented to 

LARK J. WILKINS
2006

Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1204


Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2007 Wylie Boyd

Pioneer Award
Presented to

WYLIE BOYD
2007



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1205


Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society

Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2007 Rodriquez Family

Pioneer Award
Presented to
RODRIQUEZ FAMILY
2007



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1206


Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society

Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2008 Ralph Johnson

Pioneer Award
Presented to

RALPH NEWTON JOHNSON
2008



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1209




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2011 Benjamin Billingsley

Pioneer Award
Presented to
Benjamin Billingsley




Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1211




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2012 Dr. Lovett

Pioneer Award
Presented to


Dr. Lovett
2012



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1212




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2013 Paul Lunt

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Paul Lunt
2013



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1213




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2014 Thomas Montoya

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Thomas Montoya
2014



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1214




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2015 Frank Francese

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Frank Francese
2015



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1215




Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2016 Erwin and Peggy Crotts

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Erwin and Peggy Crotts
2016



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1216


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/
 


photo id: 1217


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1218


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1219


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1220


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1221


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1222


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1223


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1224


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1225


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1226


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1227


2005 Gila River Flooding in Duncan area

Photos of the 2005 Gila River flooding in Duncan, AZ



Photo courtesy of Robert Shantz
http://www.rshantz.com/


photo id: 1228

Tim Cox
Tim Cox Artist

Tim Cox is a fourth generation Arizonan born in 1957 and raised in the farming and ranching community of Duncan, Arizona near the New Mexico state line. His fine art depicts ranching and cowboy life.

Tim paints what he knows; vibrant cutting horses intent on holding that cow, cowponies covered in sweat after working a hard day, ranch horses sharing a well earned drink at a glistening water trough. His cattle have authentic expressions; calves perhaps a little bewildered at a branding, bemused heifers waiting to be fed, a longhorn steer intent on leaving the country, or a herd just shuffling along as they are being driven to better pastures are frequent subjects. Ranchers, cutters, team ropers, or cowhands, all of them touch his heart. Add a striking landscape with dramatic skies; clear blue, wispy pink clouds or spectacular thunderheads and you have a Tim Cox painting.


Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1229


Tim Cox Artist

Tim Cox was raised in the small farming community of Duncan, Ariz. He is a great-grandson of settlers of Arizona on both sides of the family—a fourth-generation Arizonan. Tim's father's side of the family had a ranch in the Chiricahua Mountains, called the Mud Springs Ranch, about the time of statehood or before. His mother’s side came down the Santa Fe trail and ended up settling in the Safford area. Tim got his first ranch job when he was 8 years old. It was a dollar a day, but it meant a lot to an 8-year-old.
 
He now resides outside of Bloomfield, New Mexico, where he continues to raise a few cattle and train horses with his daughter Calla, and wife, Suzie.








Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1230


Tim Cox Artist

A Road Less Traveled




Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1231


Tim Cox Artist

A Well Deserved Drink





Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1232


Tim Cox Artist

Cloud Watchers





Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1233


Tim Cox Artist

Little Boys Dream the Biggest Dreams






Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1234


Tim Cox Artist

No Matter What the Weather




Photo courtesy of www.timcox.com


photo id: 1235


Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2017 Fenly Merrell, Jr. and Beatrice Smith

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Fenly Merrell, Jr. and Beatrice Smith
2017



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1236

Milton Andrew Jensen; Delsa Farnsworth Jensen; Virden NM; Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society
Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2018 Milton Andrew and Delsa Farnsworth Jensen

Pioneer Award
Presented to

Milton Andrew and Delsa Farnsworth Jensen
2018



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


 


photo id: 1238

Dixie Zumwalt
Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society Pioneer Award 2009 Dixie Zumwalt



Pioneer Award
Presented to

Dixie Zumwalt
2009



Courtesy of Duncan P.R.I.D.E. Society


photo id: 1239

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