Bruce & Pam Wachter - Your White Mountains Realtors - Buy, sell White Mountains Arizona Real Estate - Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside Cabins, Homes, Land
Bruce & Pam Wachter

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Show Low Arizona


THEN: "Named by The Turn of a Card"

NOW: Today's Real Estate Opportunities



Although the Show Low area has a long pre-history of inhabitants including "The Ancients" and more "modern-day" Native-Americans, Conquistadores, explorers, adventurers, trappers, prospectors, ranchers, desperados, among the first recognized and most famous settlers, was Mr. C.E. Cooley. Cooley was an Army Scout circa 1972 or thereabouts, and most probably served in the Civil War previously. There is one remote record of a "C.E. Cooley" serving in Kentucky regiment-- tough to pin that down, but possible. It's also interesting to note at this juncture, that many Mexican-American former Civil War soldiers and their families made there way to our area, also. But that's another story!

Cooley apparently settled in the area in approximately 1875 with his wife, "Mollie", the daughter of an Apache chief. Other reports indicate that Cooley was married to more than one Apache princess, as letters from wives at Ft. Apache indicate they were scandalized by Mr. Cooley's marital behaviors while there...

"On July 12th, 1869, C. E. Cooley, A. F. Banta, and Henry W. Dodd, left the Zuni Villages with a small party of Indians to hunt a gold mine known as the "Doc Thorn Story." Cooley was born in Virginia on the 2nd day of April, 1836. In 1856 he came West, landing at Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1858 he went to Colorado, and clerked in the first store opened in that State. In 1869 he came to Arizona on a mining expedition, and soon after he settled at Apache, where he married an Apache woman. He was prominent as a scout, and served under General Crook with marked distinction. He first settled at Show Low, but later moved to a place inside the reservation, twenty-two miles north of Apache, where he died in 1917." *From "Salt River Valley Progress" and other sources reprinted here for informational purposes only

THE FAMOUS CARD GAME

Most accounts report the card game was between Cooley and Clark, only; however, early recounting says:

"In 1872 when the corn was killed by early frosts in Round Valley (the Milligan place and later Becker Ranch), Marion Clark came over and worked for Cooley a short time. He then went over to Show Low, where he decided to take up a place. There he had some negotiations with one Suvian, a Mexican, about going into partnership with him in locating the place. He went over the ground carefully and located a water ditch. The Indians told him that he was "loco," (crazy), in thinking of settling there for the creek went dry at that point in summer. About this time Cooley and Dodd came through with a party of scouts and Indians looking out a road from Fort Apache to Camp Verde. Coming to this place Cooley remarked: ‘‘"This is my ranch."’’ Dodd said, ‘‘"No, it is mine,"’’ so to decide the matter they played a game of "seven up" to see who should own the ranch. Cooley played "high" which placed him within a point of going out, when Dodd said, ‘‘"Show low and go out."’’ Cooley showed the three spot, which proved to be low. This gave him the game and he jumped up and said he would call the place "Show Low," which name it bears to this day. Cooley was soon informed that Clark had made a claim on the place. He went to Clark and persuaded him to drop Suvian, whom he was thinking of taking as a partner, and take him instead, which Clark did. Clark and Cooley took out the water, and made some improvements, when Clark drew out, leaving the place to Cooley. Cooley immediately commenced to make improvements upon a much larger scale."*

Cooley partnered with with Mr. Marion Clark and they ran cattle reportedly from the Show Low area right on up to Flagstaff. This was the true open range. It's hard to figure out from records just how big their local holdings were; but most probably as far as the eye could see and beyond! Apparently Clark and Cooley put a reported 100,000 acres under barbed-wire, got in trouble for that with the Federal Government and had to take it down!

In about 1890, the enterprise fell apart, or the partners fell out. Cooley moved back onto the White Mountains Apache Reservation where he died in 1915. Clark moved on up the creek to the area that is now Pinetop, where he lived for many years. The "ranch" was sold to the Mormon Church.

FAST-FORWARD

Extremely fast-forward or we'd spend hours on history! The Show Low area is now considered the "commercial hub" of the White Mountains. That doesn't sound too pretty, now, does it? Because the Show Low area is extremely pretty, extremely varied in topography, views, vegetation, development, remote vacant land; both High Desert and Tall Pine, depending on your preference! Show Low Arizona Real Estate honestly does offer opportunities for every taste!

Let's start with Tall Pine Show Low. In and about the city proper, there's plenty of homes on tall-pine lots. These will be a mix of manufactured and site-built homes, depending on deed restrictions. Tall, cool pines in Show Low. Pick from subdivisions such as, Fairway Park, Country Club, Country Club Manor, Summer Pines and many, many others. Moving out west on Highway 260, more tall pine/meadow mix. Choose from Bison Ridge, Fool Hollow, Cheney Ranch (homes only, larger acreage, horse country), Lone Pine Dam area, Chapparal, and other areas for tall-pine/juniper mixes. This area also spans Burton/Linden and on into Pinedale. Linden offers larger acreage, as does Burton and Pinedale.

Looking for golf? Show Low has it! Several clubs to choose from. Looking for a prestige golf/lifestyle experience? Look no further than Torreon! How about more prestige communities? Try Sierra Pines, Pine Oaks, Bison Ridge, and other prestige homes/amenities areas in Show Low.















Looking to stretch out? Looking for a big 40 for that ranch? Go east, people! Head out east to the areas between Show Low proper and Concho. This is the High Desert! Juniper/pinon mixes with sometimes impossible-to-believe views. Here's where you'll find those big spreads-- well-priced, peaceful quiet, and plenty of wildlife. Bourdan Ranch, Chamisa Ranch, White Mountain Lakes (North), Silver Lake Estates, Show Low Pines, Pine Ridge Ranch, Idlewild Ranch, Tamarran Ranch, Black Mesa area, are just a few of the names you need to ask about. Oh, bring your horses!

Now you have an idea of what Show Low Arizona has to offer the real estate buyer. What's important to keep in mind, as you look at the varied and different areas for your Show Low Arizona new home or second home-- ask Realtors you can trust. Talk to Pam & Bruce Wachter, your very best resources for honest opinions and answers for your Show Low real estate questions. Get the guidance you need to tackle this vast area of real estate opportunities and find out what's right for you. What's perfect for some, may not be perfect for everyone. Show Low Arizona is no "cookie-cutter" place, and you need solid, reliable information before you start looking. Bruce and Pam Wachter, "Your White Mountains Realtors", offer you the most comprehensive, total resource for Real Estate information and impeccable service for Show Low and the entire White Mountains!

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