Greenlee County

The 25th Territorial Assembly created Greenlee County. In 1909, the eastern portion of Graham County was taken to establish Greenlee County. There was a good bit of resistance to the formation of the new county. Graham County did not like the idea of becoming smaller in size and losing some of their mining districts. In a compromise, the new county was not as a big as originally proposed and it absorbed all of Graham County’s debts. Today, Greenlee County covers 1,837 square miles.

The naming of the new county went through some interesting twists and turns. In the beginning, the name “Lincoln County” was suggested. However, when the votes were counted the name “Greenlee County” won out. Greenlee comes from Mason Greenlee, who came to the Clifton area in 1874. Upon his arrival, Apache Indians ran him out of area. Undaunted, Greenlee returned in 1879 to live until his death in 1913. 

Clifton has remained the county seat throughout Greenlee County’s history. It has been a mining town since 1869 and continues to be a part of Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation in nearby Morenci.
The county stretches almost the length of Eastern Arizona , along the New Mexico border. This piece of land has varying landscapes. The northern section of Greenlee County is a part of the Apache National Forest. There are dense forestlands with an abundance of creeks and streams. This proves to be ideal for the many types of wildlife living here. In southern Greenlee County near Duncan, the terrain includes rolling green hills. Here you will spot cattle grazing freely. The Blue River, San Francisco River and the Gila River crisscross through the county. 

You will find some attractions in Greenlee County. Bear Wallow Wilderness is in the upper northwestern corner of Greenlee County. The wilderness covers 11,000 acres and is a great place to try your line at trout fishing or your boots along one of the many hiking trails. Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area begins near the Old Safford Bridge and follows the Gila River southwest. Visitors come to see the wildlife and take a trip down the river.
Greenlee County is a perfect spot to see wildlife in their natural surroundings