Pearce is in Southern Arizona . It is in Cochise County. The town is located along Interstate 191 between Wilcox and Douglas in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Pearce lies 85 miles southeast of Tucson, 50 miles north of Douglas, 30 miles southeast of Benson and 30 miles southwest of Wilcox.

The area around Pearce draws many because of its mild climate year round and its proximity to major towns. The town sits at an elevation of 4,500 feet. The southwest desert climate has a winter low Temperature of 40 degrees and a summer high Temperature of 100 degrees. Many consider Pearce just a ghost town, but the area around Pearce is growing. Many small communities are springing up and Pearce seems to be on its way back.

History:

In 1894, Jimmy Pearce discovered a piece of ore with a golden color inside. Pearce had been a miner in Tombstone, but had purchased a ranch near where the town of Pearce is today. He had the specimen checked out and it was confirmed. There was gold on his property.

All five members of his family had a claim on the mine, which was soon called the Commonwealth Mine. The Commonwealth Mine is estimated to have produced thirty million in gold. Soon a town was established and the mine was booming. Later, Pearce sold out for a quarter of a million.

The peak of production had been realized by 1896. The town had a school, hotels, saloons and a motion-picture theater. At one point, the town hit a population of over a thousand.

The mine did operate until 1904, when cave-ins caused a temporary shutdown. The following year, a cyanide plant was erected and another fortune was made extracting the tailings. The mine closed in the 1930's and the mining town diminished in size.

Today, all that is left of the mining town is a few ruins. However, the area around Pearce is coming back. Many people are drawn to the area's climate, history and great location in southern Arizona . 

Community Features:

One attraction that has a wealth of information on the culture and art of the Native American is the Amerind Foundation. The foundation is only 19 miles from town. It is a nonprofit archaeological research center and museum focused on the Native American culture of the Southwest and Northern Mexican. There are collections of artifacts from as far as the Artic and South America. It is important to call ahead for times, days and tour information.

An outdoor activity rich with history of the old west is just minutes from town. Cochise Stronghold Canyon was once the hideout for the Apache Indian Chief Cochise and his band of warriors. Today, it is a camping and picnicking ground.