Kit and Carol on the Road

Florence, says local historian John Swearingen, is Tombstone, without Wyatt Earp. It even had it’s own legendary shoot-out, between a former sheriff and deputy. Founded in the 1860’s at the junction of two trails, the town boomed when a silver mine opened nearby. At one time it had 28 saloons and 1 church. Now it has more buildings on the National Historic Register than any other city in Arizona. (But only 2 “saloons”). Today was the Tour of Historic Florence which was quite interesting. A variety of styles of architecture are represented. Luckily some of the historic homes have been purchased and lovingly restored. Some are still in various stages of decay. The Florence True Value Hardware is the largest True Value in the state. There is also a Rexall Drug downtown and a Market and General Store. But Walmart is only 10 minutes away. There are two historical museums, and the public library is out behind the high school. The major industry today is/are nearby State Prisons.