Pantano, Arizona, Pima County is a ghost town that once thrived as a bustling railroad and stagecoach stop in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nestled in the arid landscape of southern Arizona, Pantano’s story is one of transformation and abandonment. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Pima County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 32.0501° N / 110.6343° W
Elevation: Approximately 3,327 feet (1,014 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Established: The town was established around the 1880s.
Disestablished: Pantano began to decline in the 1920s and was largely abandoned by the 1950s.
Comments: Pantano was strategically located as a railroad siding and water stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. It also served as a stagecoach stop on the route between Tucson and Benson, making it a crucial hub for travelers and traders in the region. The town’s economy was primarily driven by the railroad, which facilitated the transport of cattle and other goods.
Remains: Today, little remains of Pantano. A few building foundations and remnants of the railroad infrastructure can still be seen, offering a glimpse into its past. The nearby Pantano Wash and the surrounding desert landscape add to the ghostly atmosphere of the site.
Current Status: Pantano is considered a ghost town, with no permanent population or active businesses. It is primarily of interest to historians, ghost town enthusiasts, and explorers seeking to uncover the stories of Arizona’s past.
Remarks: Pantano’s decline was largely due to the rerouting of railroad lines and the rise of automobile travel, which diminished the town’s strategic importance. Despite its abandonment, Pantano remains a fascinating piece of Arizona’s history, symbolizing the transient nature of frontier settlements and the relentless march of progress.
