 Welcome to Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona... (Map)... Located at an altitude of almost 5000 feet, surrounded by the Huachuca, Mule, and Mustang Mountains. This is the area where the famous indians Cochise and Geronomo once roamed. It is a high desert community, which means 'not sand', but grass, mesquite trees, rocks, mountain lions, javalina, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and tarantulas do inhabit the area. Although you could spend years here and not see them. Located in the southeast corner or Arizona, about 70 miles SE of Tucson. Mexico is about 20 miles due south. To cross the border you will go about 60 miles to Nogales or Agua Prieta. Naco is another small crossing about 30 miles away. The Famous 'Town to Tough to Die', Tombstone, is about 16 miles, with Bisbee about 30 miles away. Not much rain here, most during the Monsoon season mid July to September. Sierra Vista is known for its temperate climate and claims the best in the country. Temperatures range from average of 90's in Summer to 50's in Winter, with temps going down 30 to 40 degrees at night. We do get a few days over 100 and we may also get a couple of days with snow. Population is about 38000, when you include the un-incorporated area it is over 50000. Ft Huachuca Army Base is also incorporated as part of the city. The main gate is at the west end of Fry Blvd, the main street. Most of the commercial buildings are located on Fry Bulevard and south on Highway 92. The city has built, in the last few years, a new City Hall, Police Station, Library, High School, several more lighted softball and baseball fields, with plans for an Aquatic Center. Much new housing is being built here. A new 'Mall of Sierra Vista', the first, is now under construction (Opened November 1999). Most well known chain fast-food restaurants (interesting note that McDonalds had their first drive-thru in the country here) are located here, with over 60 restaurants. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, JC Penny and Sears as well as many smaller stores. Staples, Checker Auto Parts and Walgreens Drug have recently opened here. Dillon's is scheduled for the Mall. There are also four Supermarkets. Ft Huachuca/Sierra Vista Airport is an alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle. Sierra Vista is a haven for 'Snowbirds', mostly from the north of the country and Canada. Many chose to retire and live here. It is also known as a retirement comumity with many military retirees living here. It is also a birders paradise to include Ramsey Canyon with 14 of 15 species of Hummingbirds. Click here for great PICTURES of Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Bisbee and other places in Cochise County AZ.
 Sierra Vista (Spanish for "Mountain View") has always enjoyed clean air, ideal weather and spectacular views of the Mule, Dragoon, Whetstone and Huachuca Mountains. With a population of over 37,000 people, Sierra Vista is one of the fastest growing communities in Arizona and is the business center of Cochise County. But it wasn't always so. About 1915, a small collection of rock-walled, tin-roofed buildings with a general store, saloon and gas station comprised the community known as Buena. Sometime later the name was changed to Overton and still later to Garden Canyon . In 1927, a post office was established under the name of Fry, in honor of a local pioneer family whose decendents still live in this area. It wasn't until 1956 that Sierra Vista was incorporated. There is little doubt that Sierra Vista would not even exist were it not for the Army post of Fort Huachuca (pronounced (waa-CHOO-ca). Sierra Vista offers a wide variety of festive activities throughout the year. The Winter Arts Festival and Art Discovery Series present plays, concerts, musicals, dances, recitals and readings. Western Heritage Week offers the Annual Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Arizona Folklore Preserve Workshops, stage performances, artist jam sessions and free poetry and music. And don't miss the Arizona Junior Rodeo, the Mule Mountain Marathon (???), the Huachuca Stampede Rodeo, the 4th of July Celebration, the Miss Sierra Vista Pageant, the Art in the Park Arts and Crafts Sale, the Festival of Color Balloon Rally, Festival of the Southwest, the Family Festival and the largest Christmas Parade in Arizona. As for bird watchers, golfers, hikers, and nature lovers of all kinds, Sierra Vista is surrounded by natural wonders (including Ramsey Canyon).
(Top picture is from the mountain looking toward Sierra Vista? Next is Snyder Blvd looking toward Mule Mountains. About 15 miles of desert from end of road to mountains. Next is Christmas Parade at west end of Fry Blvd looking at Huachuca Mtns. Bottom is sunset taken from my backyard. (click for larger image)
End of Historic McDonalds
Pictures taken on May 23rd, 1999. Landmark to be taken down! This historic McDonalds was the first in the chain to have Drive-thru windows (left side of building). They were put in to accomodate soldiers who were not authorized to enter downtown buildings with their fatigues on. Day after pictures were taken, the old building was torn down and the new, modern, larger, southwest design McDonalds was open for business. Super8 and Fry pictures taken September 1999 Map and Mileages to other cities in Arizona and other Western cities
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