Ajo: Plaza History and Desert Landscapes

Ajo combines a historically planned town center, local art, and Sonoran Desert landscapes. When looking for a hotel for your trip, consider which of these highlights you want to shape your stay: the town’s architecture and history, cultural offerings, or excursions into the surrounding area.

Historic Town Center and Architecture

The Ajo Townsite Historic District was designed as a planned company town. Its town plan and historic resources are significant; the district includes 27 surviving buildings or resources in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Ajo Plaza brings this architectural style to the public streetscape: it is a walkable main street whose arches surround a lush, landscaped central park. A historic railroad depot and the park also define the plaza.

Built in 1916, the Ajo Historic Train Depot now houses the Ajo Visitor Center. The building thus connects its former function as a train station with its role today as a visitor hub. Ajo’s Catholic Church is also part of the town’s architectural history; it was built in the mid-1920s. The Curley School was built in 1919 and later converted into artist residency studios. Together, these buildings offer a glimpse into different chapters of local history and cultural use.

Museum, Art, and Events

The Ajo Museum preserves and presents Ajo’s history, art, and culture. It adds local art and culture to the perspective offered by the town’s buildings and plan, providing a thematic way to explore local history. Artists Alley features murals created by local artists over the years. The Curley School’s main corridors display works of art; check local visitor information before your visit.

Art Under The Arches is an arts space in historic Ajo Plaza, with exhibitions, workshops, and performances. Ajo Plaza also hosts a series of signature community events throughout the year. If you want to plan your trip around a particular program, check current dates and the event calendar in advance. This helps you distinguish between enduring highlights, such as the architecture, and time-specific offerings, such as events or art programs.

Desert Landscapes and Activities

The Ajo Scenic View Loop Drive passes through Sonoran Desert landscapes, with views of rugged mountains, distinctive cacti, and historic mining remains. The drive offers a look at both the landscape and the area’s mining history. Check road conditions before setting out. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 15 miles south of Ajo, lies along the border with Sonora, Mexico, and is an International Biosphere Reserve. The nearby Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities for bird-watching, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

There are also a range of recreational activities in town. The Ajo Community Golf Course is a public nine-hole course founded in 1946; check its current operating status in advance. The Virgil Ellis Shooting Range in Ajo Regional Park offers shooting sports. These activities appeal to different interests, while the plaza, museum, and art focus on local history and culture.

Explore more destinations: Tucson, Marana, Drexel Heights, Sasabe, Tortolita, Oro Valley, Avra Valley, Arivaca

For the regional travel overview: Pima.