Gila River Indian Reservation

Here the first Government Indian School was established for Pimas and Maricopas in 1871, with Rev. Charles H. Cook as teacher. It was the location of Pima villages,
friendly resting place for travelers during the Mexican War and the Gold Rush. It was also the birth place of Ira Hayes, a Pima, one of the U.S. Marines in the famed Flag-Raising at Iwo Jima.

(Marker located at the Sacaton Rest Area)

Gadsden Purchase

The Gila River north of this site marked the international border of the United States and Mexico from 1848 to 1854. James Gadsden negotiated to purchase 38,000 SQ. Miles of ‘wild country’ for $15 million in gold. Amended to $10 million for 29,640 SQ. miles, the Gadsden Purchase maintained southern railroad and wagon routes but preserved Mexico’s link to Baja, California. Today the Gadsden Purchase comprises 24 percent of Arizona’s total land area.

(Marker located at the Sacaton Rest Area)