Dragoon Mountains are a range of mountains located in Cochise County, Arizona

Cochise County, Arizona

-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*78.5% White*4.2% Black*1.2% Native American*1.9% Asian*0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.0% Two or more races*9.6% Other races*32.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

. The range is about 25 mi (40 km) long, running on an axis extending south-south east through Willcox

Willcox, Arizona

Willcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769. Professional wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker.-History:...

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Geography

The mountain range is one of Arizona's "sky islands"

Sky island

Sky islands are mountains that are isolated by surrounding lowlands of a dramatically different environment, a situation which, in combination with the altitudinal zonation of ecosystems, has significant implications for natural habitats. Endemism, vertical migration, and relict populations are...

. Mt. Glenn (7,520 ft/2,292 m) is highest point in the Dragoon Mountains. The Little Dragoon Mountains are the continuation of the Dragoon Mountains north of Texas Canyon

Texas Canyon

Texas Canyon is located in Cochise County, Arizona about 20 miles east of Benson on Interstate 10 and lies between the Little Dragoon Mountains on the north and the Dragoon Mountains to the south...

. The mountains were included in the short-lived Dragoon National Forest

Dragoon National Forest

Dragoon National Forest was established in Arizona on May 25, 1907, with . On July 1, 1908, it was combined with Santa Catalina National Forest and Santa Rita National Forest to create Coronado National Forest. The name was discontinued....

, which was established in 1907 and combined into Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest

The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....

 in 1908, in the Douglas Ranger District.

History

The warrior Cochise and his army defeated a small force of Confederate soldiers here at the First Battle of Dragoon Springs but was defeated at the Second Battle of Dragoon Springs

Second Battle of Dragoon Springs

The Second Battle of Dragoon Springs was one of many skirmishes involving Apache warriors and Confederate soldiers. It was fought during the American Civil War on May 9, 1862 and was a response to the First Battle of Dragoon Springs in which Confederate forces were defeated. Four men were killed in...

 a few days later. Cochise Stronghold Memorial Park lies near Mt. Glen on the eastern slope of the range and the historic town of Tombstone

Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1879 by Ed Schieffelin in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It was one of the last wide-open frontier boomtowns in the American Old West. From about 1877 to 1890, the town's mines produced USD $40 to $85 million...

 can be found at the southwestern portion of the range. There are also several ghost town

Ghost town

A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...

s in the Dragoon Mountains including Gleeson

Gleeson, Arizona

Gleeson is a ghost town in Cochise County in the southeastern section of the U.S. state of Arizona. The town was first settled as Turquoise around 1890 in what was then the Arizona Territory, then later re-established as Gleeson in 1900.-History:...

 and Courtland.

During the Earp Vendetta Ride

Earp vendetta ride

The Earp Vendetta Ride, lasting from March 20 to April 15, 1882, was a manhunt for outlaw Cowboys led by newly appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp. He was searching for men he held responsible for maiming his brother Virgil, the Tombstone Marshal and Deputy U.S. Marshal, and assassinating his...

 in 1882, Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...

 and his posse captured, tortured and executed a native named "Indian Charlie" Cruz in these mountains for his involvement in the death of Morgan Earp

Morgan Earp

Morgan Seth Earp was the younger brother of Deputy U.S. Marshals Virgil and Wyatt Earp. Morgan was a deputy of Virgil's and all three men were the target of repeated death threats made by outlaw Cowboys who were upset by the Earps' interference in their illegal activities. This conflict eventually...

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