Boyce Thompson & Besh-Ba-Gowah

Boyce Thompson Arboretum &
Besh-Ba-Gowah Archeology Park
Join My Arizona Guide as we follow the southern Superstition Mountains through the beautiful Sonoran Desert to the historic Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Making his millions on Wall Street and investing in mines in Montana, Nevada and Arizona, Mr. Thompson’s purchased the Magma Mine in nearby Superior, Arizona in 1907. He fell in love with the area and built what he called his “Picket Post” house. Initially built on Forest Service land, Thompson purchased enough land in northern Arizona that the Forest Service wanted to initiate a land trade thereby acquiring 400 aces just outside Superior.

A dedicated philanthropist, in 1924 Thompson asked University of Arizona botanist Franklin Crider to head up his arboretum which was dedicated to researching the Sonoran desert plants and making that knowledge available to the general public. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum to this day is still carrying out his mission. A walk through these extensive gardens is a step back in time. This natural museum provides extensive information on the uniqueness of desert botanicals and life in the Sonoran Desert.

Our next stop is the City of Globe home to the Magma Copper Mine. We love to stop at the visitor center for complimentary copper, turquoise, peridot and azurite then on to the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park.

Around 900 AD the Hohokam settled the area establishing this village and began farming the Salt River. After the Hohokam mysteriously disappeared, the Salado people found the settlement and built upon it, living there until the 1400’s when they too disappeared. In the 1600’s the Apache people again resettled the area naming the village Besh-Ba-Gowah which means, “the place of metal.” The importance of this location and the mineral wealth it has provided the peoples of Arizona make this a special learning opportunity.

Our Full Day Tours include nutritional snacks & beverages, all park entrance fees and of course David & Debra’s contagious passion for sharing the magic and wonder that is Arizona.

Archeology Day Tour $175.00 pp
Children 10 and under $155.00
Minimum: $825.00