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-       - AAPACHE PASS
 
 

This is an unusual aerial view of a blimp passing over the low divide between the Dos Cabezas Mountains and the Chiricahua Mountains:  Apache Pass.      In the center area of the photo you can make out a horizontal line that looks like a tan colored ribbon.  This is part of the old Tucson Road, leading through Siphon Canyon, in the heart of the pass.  It makes its way in snake-like fashion through incredibly narrow passes, forming a land bridge between the Sulphur Springs Valley and the San Simon Valley.  It was in this narrow defile that history was made in February, 1861, and Cochise swore his vengeance on all Whites, leading to an 11 year period of blood-letting on both sides.  (See the section BROKEN ARROW for the whole story).

ALL THAT IS LEFT OF THE BUTTERFIELD STAGE STATION IN APACHE PASS. HERE, COCHISE MAINTAINED A FRAGILE PEACE WITH THE INTRUDING ANGLOS UP UNTIL FEBRUARY OF 1861.  IT IS SAID, ALTHOUGH LITTLE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS IT, THAT HE EVEN CONTRACTED WITH THE STAGE LINE TO PROVIDE FIREWOOD.  SINCE RELATIONS WERE MORE OR  LESS FRIENDLY, IT IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION THAT HE MAY HAVE ALLOWED HIS PEOPLE TO TRADE WOOD FOR VARIOUS ITEMS OFFERED BY THE AMERICANS THAT THE INDIANS MAY HAVE  CONSIDERED OF VALUE.

LOOKING WEST FROM A SPOT IN THE HEART OF APACHE PASS, VERY NEAR THE SPOT IN SIPHON CANYON WHERE THE FAMED "CUT THE TENT" INCIDENT OCCURED, LEADING TO COCHISE'S WAR.

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