Young is in Eastern Arizona . It is in Gila County. The town is in the middle of the Tonto National Forest, between the Sierra Anchas and Hell and Gate Wilderness areas. It lies in Pleasant Valley. The town is accessible by way of gravel roads. There are two ways into Young. One is from the north on Forest Road 512 from State Highway 260 on the Mogollon Rim. The second is from the south on State Highway 288 from State Highway 88 on the east side of Roosevelt Lake. Overview: Young has been called one of Arizona and last and cow towns and . It is a quiet retirement and second new home community. It began as a cattle ranching town and is also known as the site of the Pleasant Valley War. The town sits at an elevation of 5,177 feet. The climate is mild all year round with a winter low Temperature of 21 degrees and a summer high Temperature of 90 degrees. Young has small town charm. Visitors will discover hunting, fishing, camping and hiking, along with amazing sights. Community Features: Although Young is a small town, there are some attractions you won and #8217;t want to pass up. The Young Cemetery has the gravestones of many men, who lost their lives in the Pleasant Valley War during the 1800 and . The cemetery is in town behind the Baptist Church. The Antler Cafis a unique restaurant. It has mining equipment, cowboy gear and hunting mementos. You will want to stop by, grab a bite and take a look around.

Since Young is set among some of the most beautiful scenery, there are many outdoor activities to take in. Forest Road 512 has been selected as a Scenic Byway. You begin this drive from the north at State Highway 260, where you take Forest Road 512 south down to Young. The road takes you through spectacular l andscapes and through historic Pleasant Valley. Be prepared, the road is not paved. Once you are in Young, you may continue your southbound journey. Take note, the road changes to State Highway 288 and dumps out on State Highway 88 near Roosevelt Lake. The Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery is just north of town. You will take Forest Road 512 north and then take Forest Road 33 east to the hatchery. The hatchery has a self-guided tour full of information. Willow Springs Lake is off of State Highway 260, north of Young. The lake is kind of secluded because there are no campgrounds, although you may camp in the forest. It is a peaceful lake with a boat ramp. History: James Stinson was one of the first settlers in Pleasant Valley, where the town of Young is located. There are two accounts of how the town and name came into existence. One story says that town was named after William Young, who had acquired the Graham ranch and its herd during the late 1800 and . Tom Graham sold the ranch, after he moved to Tempe. The second story recalls that it was named after Miss Ola Young. She was a part of the Young family and had served for 50 years as the town and first postmistress. No matter which story is true, it should be noted that after the Pleasant Valley war had ended, the Young family did create a different atmosphere for the town. Today the tiny town is known as one of Arizona and last and cow towns and . Many visitors come to see where the feud began and to enjoy its natural scenery.

There are many versions of the Pleasant Valley War and many of the details are controversial. Stories range from James Stinson stating he would give a reward of the head of any man caught driving sheep over the Mogollon Rim, all the way to Stinson saying that his cattle kept disappearing and pretty soon the Grahams and the Tewksburys were fighting over them. There are many books and movies about this western battle. The following is a popular telling the events. One thing is for sure; the war was mainly between the Tewksbury and Graham families.

John Tewksbury arrived in Pleasant Valley in 1880, with his four sons named John, James, Junior and Edwin. All the boys were expert marksmen. Jim is described as being able to shoot backwards. It is believed; when he sensed trouble he would put the gun over his shoulder and kill his enemy without turning around. The Grahams came to Pleasant Valley in 1882. There were two brothers, named Tom and John. It wasn and #8217;t until 1884, before the Blevin family became a part of the Graham faction. Andy and Cooper and Blevin was one of the five Blevin boys that contributed to the on going war and is credited for being one of the most ruthless killers.

The story begins with the Tewksbury and and the Graham and already quarreled over cattle stolen from James Stinson, their employer, when the Tewksbury and gave protection to a b and of sheep driven over the Mogollon Rim in 1887 by the Daggs brothers. This was when the feud really got going.

The arrival of the sheep caused the settlers, who had previously not taken a part in the Tewksbury-Graham quarrel to unite in defending their range against the sheep. The defiant cattlemen killed a Navajo sheepherder and drove out or destroyed the sheep. The Tewksbury and retaliated and the struggle became a five-year feud that was responsible for 19 known deaths and was credited for many more. Attempts by the law to end the hostilities were futile. Every man who remained in the valley was eventually drawn into this conflict. An enemy was hunted like an animal and death was the penalty for an unguarded moment.

The feud ended in 1892, when Tom the last of the Grahams was killed in Tempe. Although, Tom Graham swore before he died that the men who had ambushed him were Ed Tewksbury and John Rhodes and witnesses confirmed their identify in court, they went free. The Pleasant Valley War will continue to be a part of the town of Young and a part of Arizona and Wild West history.