Douglas, AZ

Our first surprise as we entered Douglas was the extra wide streets and the many parks with flowers and healthy green grass. In the early 1900’s James Douglas, the founder, designed the streets wide enough to facilitate turning 20-mule-team wagons. They were bringing copper to the smelter from mines in neighboring Bisbee. The mines and the smelter provided jobs and good incomes until 1982 when the mines closed. Today the town prospers mainly from tourism. Many Mexicans from Agua Prieta shop in Douglas. Except for a few stately mansions of earlier times, the houses are located mostly inside low walls or fence enclosures. They are close together, and grassy lawns are a rarity. That makes the parks even more desirable for family activities.

The pastor of the church where we were to work said we could park in the church parking lot for the duration of our assignment. That convenient site provided water, electric and internet service.