In a quiet corner of Arizona, south of the bustling, growing cities of Phoenix and Tucson, sits the small, peaceful town of Cochise. Anyone that travels there today will find one main road, with low-lying buildings settled on either side. Many of them still have the boxed and wooden appearance of the old frontier settlements that we have all become so familiar with through Western movies. Dry grasslands wave golden and yellow in the breeze, and there are mountains in every direction. At the end of the street, on the edge of human habitation here, sits the Cochise Hotel, a stark white historic jewel.
In 1882, the hotel was founded by John Rath, who built and ran the town’s train station, bank, and well. Connected to the man at the center of everything in Cochise, the hotel was said to have become the heart of the settlement. It is even believed that at one point, none other than Big-Nosed Kate (see more discussion of this historical female entrepreneur here ran the place. However, when the mining industry began to falter, Cochise shrunk, as did many of its compatriots in Arizona’s southern valleys. As the town’s population dwindled, the Cochise Hotel began falling into disrepair, and it is likely that the hotel would have continued on this path to oblivion, but for the interest of one, Phillip Gessert.
Gessert’s family had moved to southern Arizona when he was younger, and he developed a passion for the area’s history. In fact, he previously ran an antique gambling museum in Tombstone, and his expertise was even sought after for HBO’s Westworld series. He found himself inspired by the Cochise Hotel, and it was this love for Arizona’s history that led him to purchase the hotel. For the past five years, he has been working on renovating the Cochise Hotel, hoping that he can bring life back to Arizona’s oldest, still-functioning hotel.
The Cochise is still a work in progress, but visitors will now find this place to be a cozy inn. Each room has its own character, and Gessert has not only repaired the building itself, but has used his own collections to create authentic spaces for travelers to experience for themselves. While Tombstone has taken on the spirit of an attraction, Cochise and its hotel offer a more quiet, and contemplative look at the past. It is a place for inspiration as well. In fact, it’s hard not to be inspired by the views, the story and soul of this place.
The Cochise Hotel is sure to be a wonderful experience for anyone interested in the history of the old west, but also for artists, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to trek through Arizona’s southern wilderness. It is a gateway to an older way of life, to a night sky unmarred by city lights, and hopefully new stories of exploration and self-discovery.
To learn more about the Cochise, please visit its website here. I would highly suggest calling the hotel, rather than trying to email. If you plan on staying at the Cochise, also consider stopping at the Cochise Stronghold, the Chiricahua Mountains, and/or Kartchner Caverns. Cochise is also the first stop on Southern Arizona’s Ghost Town Trail, so you may want to check that out as well.
Clair
Great find I’d love to visit! Beautiful pictures as well!
waitingforrain28
I hope you can in the near future! And thanks! Katie, is a really great photographer.
Whitney
Small towns around the country have their diamond in the rough. This one has a lot of character in Arizona.
waitingforrain28
So true! I’ve been learning more and more about that lately.
nlampert
I’d love little places like this with so much character and history. I’ll have to stay here if I ever go to Arizona
waitingforrain28
At the very least, check it out. It is very special.
josiekelsh
It’s just so much more interesting staying in places like this with history and character! Hopefully I stumble across it if I am ever in this part of the world.
waitingforrain28
I agree! And I hope that you have the chance to check it out in the future.
Ivonne
What a charming Inn full of history and character! I love Arizona and would love to spend more time visiting hidden gems like this one!
waitingforrain28
I live here, and I need to work on seeing more places like this as well! There are alot of really cool places.
Amber
What an amazing hotel! I wouldn’t mind staying there.
waitingforrain28
Maybe you will someday!
JustOneMommysOpinion (@1MommysOpinion)
What a cool hotel full of history and beauty. I’d love to visit there some day!
waitingforrain28
I hope you get to in the future. It is a really special place.
Jessica
I love things that are cozy and this hotel looks super cozy. A great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Beautiful pictures!
waitingforrain28
Definitely perfect for getting away from the rush of life. I would just love to see how peaceful it is there at night.
Andrea R Warren (@WaldorfFries)
I love the look and feel of this place. I never like to stay in chain hotels:) You have a great eye too super looking pics
waitingforrain28
Same here! And thank you! Katie got some very artful pictures of the hotel while we were interviewing the owner.
Criselle Anne
This hotel looks vintage and I love seeing vintage places. I hope one day I can come and visit Arizona too!
waitingforrain28
Arizona is an amazing state, and this would definitely be a great place to check out. It is one of a kind.
The Editor
Glad you had an amazing time at this hotel. What catches my attention are those vintagy-bedcase and its interior arrangement. Its like this hotel is not an ordinary, next door hotel. Full of stories!
-blairvillanueva
waitingforrain28
It definitely is not ordinary. And the interior design is a work of love and passion, for sure. The owner really cares about this place alot.
Krysti Jaims
Wow looks like such a great and unique hotel! I just love staying in old places- so full of history!
waitingforrain28
Exactly! It is amazing.
Thrifty DIY Diva (@ThriftyDIYDiva)
I miss Arizona! Looks like you had an awesome time! -Michelle
waitingforrain28
Arizona is a wonderful place. 🙂 And yes, we had a great time.
Nicole A Cano J
Posts like this make me realize I need to explore more. Great photographs!
waitingforrain28
Great! Exploring is so wonderful, no matter where you do it. 🙂
Ashley J.
I love the rustic look of this place. It’s like it could be haunted, and that’s exciting!
waitingforrain28
I bet it is haunted! I forgot to ask while we were there. Haha.