Douglas Housing Department

General information

Douglas, Arizona is in the County of Cochise situated on the US / Mexican border adjacent to the Mexican city of Agua Prieta. It is located 118 miles southeast of Tucson. Douglas has over 18,000 residents and was founded in 1901, and was later incorporated in 1905. Douglas was first established as a smelter site for the prosperous copper mines in Bisbee, Arizona. The town is named after mining pioneer James Douglas. Two copper smelters operated at the site.The area also has a history of cattle ranching and agriculture dating back to the 1800's that continues to thrive to this day. The region also figures prominently in the history of the old west. Cochise County was home to many famous historical figures such as Cochise, Geronimo, John Slaughter, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday and their stories played out across the tapestry of the mountains and grasslands of Cochise County.

The historic landmarks in Douglas itself include the Hotel Gadsden, Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, and Slaughter's Ranch. If you enjoy the outdoors, the San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Preserves are just minutes from town and they provide nature lovers a chance to observe over 283 species of wildlife. The Chiricahua Mountains, one of Arizona's largest mountain ranges, are also located close by.