A look at the amazing murals in Benson
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Sara Brown
Opinion Coordinator
So, you’re driving around town, then one day on a side of a building or a wall that you have passed many time something catches your eye. A mural has appeared.
Tour Benson Murals
UpdatedSo, you’re driving around town, then one day on a side of a building or a wall that you have passed many time something catches your eye. A mural has appeared. Artists are now displaying their talent at a larger scale. Here are a few that can be found around Southern Arizona.
Benson Clean and Beautiful bensonazmurals.org started the mural initiative. With their sponsorship as well as many other local business and organizations, local artist Doug Quarles was brought into the picture. Quarles is the artist for all the murals you will see in Benson.
He brings history to life in his beautiful paintings. Quarles likes to put a little something hidden in each painting, its fun to look and see what might not fit like a penguin in the desert, a pic pocket or a spaceship?
Check out our gallery but go see it in person; plan a day trip to benson or stay overnight, they are even more beautiful in their original form! You can stop in Quarles Art Gallery to pick up a $5 map of where the murals are and see all of his other amazing works. quarles-art.com 234 E. Fourth St.
Section Gang
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Located: Benson Visitors Center, West Parking Lot. 249 E. Fourth St. Every railroad had section gangs, also known as gandy dancers, who rode the tracks in open rail cars called pumper cars. These section gangs were responsible for maintaining and re-pairing many miles of track wherever they were required to go.
Southern Pacific Caboose
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Located: Benson Visitors Center West Parking Lot, 249 E. Fourth St. Mural of a caboose that was donated to the City of Benson by the Southern Pacific Railroad and sits on the corner of San Pedro and Fourth Streets.
Number 98 Engine at Benson Depot
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Located: Benson Visitors Center West parking lot. 249 E. Fourth St. Rendering from a postcard c. 1912 of Southern Pacific Engine Number 98 arriving at the Benson Depot.
Benson Round House
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Located: Benson Visitors Center West parking lot, 249 E. Fourth St. Where maintenance and repairs were done on the engines.
Southern Pacific Wood Burner, Engine Number 10
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Located: Benson Visitors Center West parking lot. 249 E. Fourth St. This Southern Pacific wood burner engine was one of the first trains in Arizona that traveled from Yuma to New Mexico.
Number 940-2035
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Located: 249 E. Fourth St. Steam locomotive that linked Tombstone and Benson and hauled ore between the two cities.
Benson Depot & Wells Fargo Freight Office
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Located: Benson Visitors Center, 249 E. Fourth St. Rendering from an actual photograph of the Wells Fargo freight office built in 1885.
Union Pacific Train of Today
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Located: Benson Visitors Center, 249 E. Fourth St. Diesel electric locomotive.
Benson Southwestern Smelting & Refining Co
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Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Refining plant in Benson that started in 1898 and went in and out of business until about 1914 when it closed for good.
Mule Train Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
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Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Hauling ore in the 1800's.
Early Prospector Searching for Riches
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Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Gold and silver strikes would bring hopeful prospectors to the area.
Southern Pacific Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
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Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Railroad contributed to the expansion of mining during the territorial years in Arizona.
Traction Engines Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
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Location: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St.
Ghost Riders
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Location: HorseShoe Cafe, 154 E. Fourth St. Originally created by Larry Scott and restored by Doug Quarles.
Hopi Kachina Hunters
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Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St. Spirit being in Pueblo religious beliefs of the Hopi Native American cultures of the Southwestern United States and Arizona.
Hopi Kachina Dancers
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Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
More Hopi Kachina Dancers
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Locations: Oasis Court, 363 W. Fourth St.
Small Desert Wildlife
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Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St. Javelina and Gambel's quail.
Mountain Lion
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Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
White Tail Deer and Fawn
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Located: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
Butterfield Overland Mail Stage
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Located: Cochise County Government Building, 126 W. Fifth St. Overland Mail Company, established by John Butterfield operated from 1858-1861.
Healthcare then and now
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Location: Benson Hospital, 450 S. Ocotillo St. Healthcare in Benson through the years.
Riverside Saloon
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Located: 761 E. Fourth St. Landmark since 1940.
86 Cafe
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Located: 700 E. Fourth St. Depicting hispanic heritage and family history of the cafe owners.
Benson Lions Club
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Located: 99 S. Dragoon St. Part of Benson's history since 1950 offering community events and benefit programs.
Pony Express
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Located: Benson Museum, 267 E. Fifth St. In Celebration of Butterfield Stage Days held annually the second weekend of October. The Pony Express re-creates a mail run from Benson to Dragoon.
Last Wagon Transport
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Located: Benson Museum, 267 E. Fifth St. The last wagon leaving Benson as the Southern Pacific Train comes through.
Whistle Stop Express
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Located: Visitors Center East parking lot, 249 E. Fourth St. For several years beginning in 1995, the SWKR ran an excursion train from Benson to Charlston called the Whistle Stop Express.
Hi Wo Grocery
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Located: Historic building, 398 E. Fourth St. In 1896 Hi Wo, a Chinese immigrant, purchased the Roger Brothers General Merchandise Store and changed the name to Hi Wo Company Grocery. The store was an important part of Benson’s history from the time it opened in 1896 until it finally closed in 1989. During the depression years, the Wo Family extended credit to ranchers, farmers, and others when few businesses were willing to do so. The years of 1931 through 1933 were tragic ones for the Wo family. The store was robbed a number of times in 1931. Hi Wo died in December 1931 at the age of 74. Mrs. Wo died in April, 1932. In 1933, the Wos’ son José died at age 42 from an accidental gunshot wound. One of Mr. Wo’s two daughters continued the family business until it closed in 1989.
Kartchner Cavern
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Located: Historic building at Fourth and Huachuca St. Discovered in 1974 by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts.
Desert Wildlife
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Located: Benson Hospital Physical Therapy Rehab, 500 S. Hwy 80. Over 30 critters are painted in this mural.
A Drugstore from Long Ago
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Located: Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, 795 W. Fourth St. Opened in 1997. Mural depicting images from the pharmacy trade sometimes referred to apothecary.
Desert Dwellers
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Located: Quiburi Mission, 850 S. Hwy 80. Desert dwellers in their natural habitat.
Benson Library
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Location: Benson Public Library, 300 S Huachuca St.
Terri's Pup House
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Located: 158 S. Huachuca St.
Sense of Style
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Located: Sense of Style, 118 S. Huachuca St.
Want to get out of town? Try a ride to Benson
UpdatedUpdated Nov. 11, 2021
If you didn’t know it was there, you would likely drive right past Mi Casa, one of Benson’s hidden culinary gems.
The quaint little restaurant is located in a small, non-descript building that was once an herb shop.
Inside the small kitchen, Santa Sutton keeps busy whipping up local favorites such as enchiladas banderas with red, green and house-made sauces and filled with cheese, chicken and steak, while her husband, Andy, greets the regulars.
You might never guess by looking at it, but Mi Casa has earned five out of five stars on Trip Advisor and Yelp and is the first place that residents guide out-of-town visitors.
Its all about “preserving the art of old-school Mexican recipes” says Santa. “It’s all about the love,” says Andy.
It is one of the reasons you might want to sneak out of Tucson and head to the small city, about 30 minutes from Vail east on Interstate 10.
To make it extra special, take Amtrak. Heres’s the 411 on a quick Benson escape.
Amtrak stop in Benson at 105 E. Fourth St.
Get your tickets!
Tucson to Benson: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The train leaves the historic Tucson train depot, 400 N. Toole Ave. downtown, at 9:15 a.m. and arrives in Benson, at 105 E. Fourth St., at 10:15 a.m.
Tucson Amtrak: 400 N. Toole Ave, Tucson. 623-4442.
Benson to Tucson: Sunday, Tuesdays and Thursdays leaving at 6:15 p.m. and arriving at 7:45 p.m.
Cost: $13-$24; children age 2 and under on your lap are free, half-price if sitting in a seat.
Learn more: Visit amtrak.com
Where to Stay
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{caption}Down By The River B&B at 2255 S. Efken Place, St David, AZ, 85630.{/caption}
{standaloneHead}Down By The River B&B{/standaloneHead}
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Down By the River B&B
2255 S. Efken Place in St. David, a little town just south of Benson.
Down by the River is owned by Darryn Cray, 520-720-9441. Visit downbytheriverbandb.com
It’s situated on 16 acres by the San Pedro River with an abundance of wildlife, birding and stargazing. Breakfast is included in your stay, and there are guest facilities to cook inside or grill outside. You’re sure to find some relaxation and refreshment and get in touch with nature, but still have all the modern conveniences. Make arrangements with the owner for a ride from town. Room prices range from $125-$170.
Quarter Horse Motel and RV Park
800 W. Fourth St. Benson 520-586-3371; quarterhorsemotelandrvpark.com
Dan and Pat Barrera have owned and operated the motel since 1969; it’s been open since 1948. On arriving, the neon sign out front greets you. Although they only have four rooms, they offer great service and will pick you up at the train station. $44-$54.
What to do?
You might not think of going to Benson to find great art, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t check out these four places:
Endeavor Gallery emphasizes creating art in the community.
Endeavor Gallery
298 E. Fourth St., with the entrance on San Pedro Street, just off Fourth Street; sprarts.org
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.
The San Pedro River Arts Council is a nonprofit, with all fees from sales and donations supporting services offered by the arts council. The gallery is all about encouraging art in the community and is full of works by artists in Southern Arizona and Benson.
The gallery was approved for a grant by the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise and was able to offer art classes to 10 local homeschoolers ages 7-17. Two hours every other week, Shryl Miles teaches the homeschoolers art skills. The classes run from September through June with most supplies provided, and end in an art show to exhibit the work to the community. The class is progressive, so check with them to see if your kids can be a part of this next year.
If you’re looking for a unique gift or something cute for yourself, check out the gift shop with cards featuring local animals and historic landmarks, copper jewelry and more. Artwork ranges from $90-$900 and items in the gift shop from $2-$80.
The Cowboy Way features frames and a variety of crafts.
The Cowboy Way
160 W. Fourth St., Benson, 520-586-7700; bensoncowboyway.com
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.
Owned by Larry and Carol Dempster, longtime Benson residents who graduated from Benson High School.
After being greeted by manager Vicky Williamson, who can create a beautiful bouquet in the attached Blossom Shop and also create a custom frame, make sure you check out the unique selection of more then 12 local vendors’ wares including, jewelry, cutting boards, salsa, lotions and more. You can even get your Baxter Black (the cowboy poet-philosopher) fix, as his books are sold there. Larry Dempster is also an author of four books sold in the store: “The Shootout at Miracle Valley,” “The Shootout at Miracle Valley: Search for Justice,” “One If By Land,” and “Dever: The Life and Death of America’s Sheriff.”
Sharon and Doug Quarles at their art gallery and studio at 234 E. Fourth St.
Quarles Art Gallery & Studio
1020B W. Fourth St., Benson, 520-686-2752; quarles-art.com
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturdays; Sundays by appointment.
Owned by Doug and Sharon Quarles, who have both been artists since a young age. Doug and Sharon have been busy painting Benson beautiful. Murals are all over town sponsored by various business and organized by Benson Clean and Beautiful. Doug and Sharon have lived in Benson for about four years. Doug says, “Benson is a great area, beautiful, a small town we prefer to live in.” Doug and Sharon’s work is photo realistic. Artwork ranges from $20-$8,000.
Benson Historical Museum at 180 S. San Pedro St.
Benson Historical Museum
180 S. San Pedro St., Benson, 520-586-3134; bensonmuseumaz.com
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturdays.
$5, $8 for a couple; free for children 12 and under.
View many exhibits and talk to an educated staff about the history of Benson and Cochise County. There’s a lot to see here, including cameras and clothing.
Where to eat
The Horseshoe Cafe is known for breakfast, its fish fry.
Horseshoe Cafe
154 E. Fourth St, Benson, 520-586-2872.
The Horseshoe Café has been around for 81 years. It’s known for breakfast, burgers and the fish fry on Friday nights.
The Old Benson Ice Cream Shop has over 50 flavors.
Old Benson Ice Cream Stop
102 W. Fourth St., 520-586-2050.
Larry Dempster’s sixth-grade teacher opened the shop in 1953. Dempster worked as the cleanup boy all through junior high and high school. Dempster and his wife moved away for college, worked for 35 years at Chevron and then returned home to Benson. The couple bought the Ice Cream Stop and restored it to its original glory. The ice cream is sooo yum, featuring over 50 flavors. They have employed over 300 local students through the years. They also brew some great coffee, with beans roasted by Lynx Coffee Roasters, lynxroasters.com.
{image}{photoCredit}Santa Sutton{/photoCredit}
{caption}Enchiladas banderas made by Santa Sutton at Mi Casa in Benson. The three colors represent the colors in the Mexican Flag.{/caption}
{standaloneHead}Enchiladas banderas{/standaloneHead}
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Mi Casa
723 W. Fourth St., Benson. 520-245-0343.
Mondays-Fridays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Baja-style Mexican mom and pop restaurant. Make sure and leave room for carrot cake with warm butter rum sauce .
G&F Pizza Palace
114 E. Fifth St., Benson, 520-586-9449.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sundays.
G&F has been a staple in Benson for 43 years. This is a go-to for many locals. Try one of the pizza combos .
While you’re in the area, drop in at ...
The aptly named Big Room in Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Kartchner Caverns
2980 S. Highway 90, Benson, 520-586-4100.
Visit azstateparks.com/kartchner
Reservations are always recommended, but you can take your chances and try to get tickets the day of by calling 877-MY-PARKS. There are two rooms to view and tours are led by trained guides. Make sure to arrive at least an hour ahead of time to check out the discovery center and watch a short film about the caves and how they were discovered. $23, $13 ages 7-13, $5 for ages 7 and under. Children ages 7 and under are not allowed on the Big Room Tour.
One more thing ...
Visit the Benson Visitors Center.
249 E. Fourth St., Benson 520-586-4293.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
Ever wanted to drive a train? Well, you can’t do that here, almost. Using a replica AAR control stand, you get to operate the “G” scale train around 96 feet of track inside the visitor center.
The camera mounted on the front feels lets you feel like you’re really operating a locomotive. You even get a souvenir Benson Train Engineer Certificate.
Sara Brown
Opinion Coordinator
