Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.
The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is
16,791.[1]
Geography
Douglas is located at 31°20′42″N, 109°32′29″W (31.344911,
-109.541376).1
Douglas stands on the U.S.-Mexico border, across from the city of
Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
History
Douglas is named after mining pioneer James Douglas.
Douglas was also the site of the Phelps-Dodge Corporation Douglas Reduction Works until its closure in 1987. Two copper smelters operated at the site. The Calumet and Arizona Company Smelter was built in
1902. The Copper Queen operated in Douglas from 1904 until
1931, when the Phelps-Dodge Corporation purchased the Calumet and Arizona Company and took over
their smelter. The Calumet and Arizona smelter then became the Douglas Reduction Works. The town was a site of the
Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983.The "Cowboys Home Saloon " was the
location of the fatal shooting of bar owner Lorenzo "Lon" Bass. The accused was Arizona Ranger William W. Webb.The date was Feb 8
1903. A full report can be read in The Arizona Rangers by Bill ONeal pub,Eakin Press Austin Texas.
Sights
Douglas is home to the historic Gadsden Hotel, which opened its doors in 1907. Named for the
Gadsden Purchase, the stately five-story, 160-room hotel became a home away from home for cattlemen, ranchers, miners, and
businessmen in the young Arizona territory. The hotel was leveled by fire and rebuilt in 1929. The
Gadsden is recognized as a National Historic Site.
The Gadsden's spacious main lobby is majestically set with a solid white Italian marble staircase and four soaring marble
columns. An authentic Tiffany & Co. stained glass mural extends forty-two feet
across one wall of the massive mezzanine. An impressive oil painting by Audrey Jean Nichols is
just below the Tiffany window. Vaulted stained glass skylights run the full length of the lobby.
In 1990, a drug tunnel was located in Douglas Arizona, one of the most sophisticated tunnels found thus far.
Notable residents
World War I wife Hazel Carter was from Douglas.
James Dent, DHS class of '24 was later Superintendent of Schools for the Mt. Diablo Unified District, Contra Costa County,
CA.
Bill Melendez, born Jose Cuauhtemoc Melendez in Mexico in 1916, was educated in the public schools of Douglas as a child. A
character animator, film producer and film director, he is best known for his work as the voice of Snoopy in the Charlie Brown
series.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,312 people, 4,526
households, and 3,453 families residing in the city. The population density was
715.8/km² (1,852.7/mi²). There were 5,186 housing units at an average density of 259.4/km² (671.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the
city was 63.20% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 31.81% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. 85.98% of the population
were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,526 households out of which 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were
non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from
45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,567, and the median income for a family was $22,425. Males had a median
income of $25,320 versus $18,447 for females. The per capita income for the city was
$10,232. About 32.1% of families and 36.6% of the population were below the poverty
line, including 49.0% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.
References
External links
Coordinates:
31.344911° N 109.541376°
W
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