Above: The old red rock elementary school, our new museum
(At Right: The Red Rock Depot in the early 1900s)
The Silver Bell Historical Society is extremely pleased to announce the creation of our long anticipated museum representing all of the mining towns and camps and ranching activities stretching from Red Rock to Silver Bell.
We've established a relationship with the Red Rock Elementary School District to utilize the old Red Rock Elementary School. We appreciate the support we've received from their governing board and Peter Dwyer, district superintendent.
ASARCO's Silver Bell Unit has been very helpful and will donate several items, including heavy mining equipment which will be visible from Interstate 10, certainly attracting travelers to visit our museum. We are grateful to Brad Stonehouse, general manager of the Silver Bell Mine.
Red Rock was the initial gateway to all of the mining activities in the Silver Bell Mountains: the towns of Pelton, Atlas Camp, Old Silver Bell, Sasco, and BS&K. From 1880, ore was shipped from Silver Bell via the Southern Pacific Railroad at Red Rock -- first by stagecoach and then by a 21-mile railroad, the Arizona Southern Railroad, from Red Rock to Old Silver Bell.
Today, Red Rock is the fastest growing community in Arizona with about 4,000 people and thousands more coming soon with additional homes being constructed. The future of Red Rock is bright, and our museum there is exciting for the folks of Silver Bell, Red Rock, Marana, Pinal, and Pima Counties.
Our Mission
The Silver Bell Historical Society offers unique resources to researchers, scholars, and the public. History records four communities: Pelton (1881 - 1900), the Atlas Camp -- also named BS&K (1880 - 1964), the first Silver Bell (1902 - 1935), and the second Silver Bell (1952 - 1984). All of these towns of the Silver Bell Mountains have been deserted, although many who lived here share fond memories of a unique and fraternal place -- in the middle of nowhere in Pima County, Arizona. Located near Marana and Tucson. The photo above is the plaque which adorns our Monument, located at the entrance to the Silver Bell Mine at the very end of Avra Valley Road.
Our Mission
The Silver Bell Historical Society offers unique resources to researchers, scholars, and the public. History records four communities: Pelton (1881 - 1900), the Atlas Camp -- also named BS&K (1880 - 1964), the first Silver Bell (1902 - 1935), and the second Silver Bell (1952 - 1984). All of these towns of the Silver Bell Mountains have been deserted, although many who lived here share fond memories of a unique and fraternal place -- in the middle of nowhere in Pima County, Arizona. Located near Marana and Tucson. The photo above is the plaque which adorns our Monument, located at the entrance to the Silver Bell Mine at the very end of Avra Valley Road.
You Can Help Preserve Our History.
A society can be defined as
the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community, and as an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity. You are invited to share in the development of the Silver Bell Historical Society. The photo above shows the Monument to the Silver Bell communities, dedicated on March 10, 2019.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals:
- Scholarships for Silver Bell descendents
- Future Social Events and Reunions
- Our Red Rock/Silver Bell Museum
The Silver Bell Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, which means your donation today is tax-deductible.
