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Father Eusebio Kino traveled through this area in 1695. During his passage,
he saw a Pima Indian village. Then in 1833, the Mexican government approved
a petition from Tomas and Ignacio Ortiz. They soon gained ownership of
8,677 acres near where Arivaca is today. The brothers built the Aribac
Ranch and raised cattle and horses. "La Aribac" is an Indian word meaning
"small springs."
In 1856, the Ortiz brothers sold the land
to the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company. The company worked several
mines in and around Arivaca and the town of Tubac. The Aribac Ranch soon
became the site of the reduction works for one the mines called the Heintzelman.
When the mines played out and closed, those working the mines left. The
area was abandoned.
Charles Poston known as the "Father of
Arizona| Arizona | (air-i'-ZON-u') | The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada. |
" acquired the property in 1870. Poston eventually asked the United States
Government to recognize his right to the land. Unfortunately, the United
States surveyor general did not. The government, however, did not take
any action toward Poston.
Later on, Poston's rights were transferred
to the Arivaca Land and Cattle Company. The company in turn, asked the
United States Court of Private Land Claims to approve Poston's land claim.
The court refused, stating it was impossible to find the origin of the
land grant. The United States Supreme Court also upheld the decision in
1902. The land became public domain.
Arivaca's first post
office was established in 1878. Today, it is unincorporated and is the
home of about eight cattle ranches. The region is ideal for cattle grazing
and orchards. The town itself has a community center, two tennis courts,
two softball fields and a library.
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