Remains of Sanchez Homestead
Posted by: Azbarite
N 33° 33.167 W 111° 37.984
12S E 441233 N 3712750
A site containing numerous artifacts indicative of rural homesteading. The area is marked "Sanchez" on the 1932 General Land Office Survey map. It is located in the Salt River Recreation Area near Mesa, AZ.
Waymark Code: WMQ5PK
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 12/25/2015
Views: 12
This site is marked "Sanchez" on a 1932 General Land Office Survey map of Township 2 North, Range 7 East of the Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona. The map can be found at the BLM online search site (
visit link) Search for surveys of T2N R7E.
The site is located in the Tonto National Forest, specifically, the Salt River Recreation Area. Open areas in the vicinity of the Salt River were open range and heavily grazed from the late 18th century to early 19th century. Homesteads in the area would typically be associated with cattle ranching.
This site is on a sparsely vegetated area of high ground above the Salt River. The signs of habitation include badly corroded cans, rusty remains of fences, discarded worn horse shoes, chunks of rough concrete and outlines of stone foundations. Since the "Sanchez" note is on a 1932 survey map, it follows that the site predates 1932.
Wild herds of horses still roam the area and signs of stray cattle are in evidence (manure and split hoof tracks). A benchmark for T2NR7E Sections 3&4 can found near the north end of the area.
To locate the site from Mesa Arizona, drive north on Power Rd. to Salt River Recreation Area. Power Rd. turns into Bush Hwy. in the recreation area. Driving east on Bush Hwy. turn north (left) on Coon Bluff Rd., park on the side of Coon Bluff Road approximately 0.50 miles from the intersection with Bush Hwy in a large dirt lot commonly used by horse trailers. Cross the road and stock fence and follow GPS coordinates overland NNE to location.