Photo Credit: Amanda Baillie
Douglas: Gateway to Mexico
The City of Douglas, with a history dating back hundreds of years to the 1500’s and the early Spanish explorers, is a small, charming community just across the border from Mexico. Douglas boasts a wealth of attractions for birders, hikers and shoppers.
The Douglas area is home to the San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges with over 283 different species of birds, mammals, and other riparian wildlife. And the international border crossing takes you to Douglas’ neighboring city, Agua Prieta, Sonora. It’s a portal to the wonders of northern Mexico.
Explore Douglas and discover historic landmarks including the Hotel Gadsden, the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, the Grand Theatre (currently under renovation), Church Square (the only location in the world where four different churches are housed on the same block), and the first international airport in the U.S.
DOUGLAS: GATEWAY TO MEXICO
Douglas will enchant you with tales of its mining and ranching past, and its rich Mexican culture. Named after mining pioneer James Douglas, the town of Douglas was settled as a smelter site for the nearby copper mines of Bisbee.
Not too far from town, is the National Historic Landmark, Slaughter Ranch Museum, which was once the San Bernardino Ranch, belonging to John H. Slaughter, Cochise County Sheriff from 1887 to 1890. Marvel at the grandeur of the historic Gadsden Hotel, with its magnificent marble columns and staircase, and Tiffany stained glass.
On the Mexico border, Douglas offers easy access to authentic Mexican shopping and dining in its sister city of Agua Prieta. In the 1700s, the Spanish established the San Bernardino presidio nearby, which is now part of the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge offers an oasis within the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert, providing resting, breeding, and year-round habitat for an amazing diversity of wildlife. Between the San Bernardino and nearby Leslie Canyon Refuge, at least 335 bird species have been recorded, plus 67 mammal, 43 reptile, 13 amphibian, and eight fish species have been documented.
RESOURCES
Looking for more information on Douglas? Check out the resources below.
1 | The Douglas Visitor Center is a great starting point to learn about all of the area attractions. | Visit |
2 | Visit the City of Douglas website for information on city services, departments, economic development opportunities, and more. | Visit |