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
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. 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
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Southern Pacific Caboose
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Number 98 Engine at Benson Depot
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 Clean and Beautiful
Benson Round House
Located: Benson Visitors Center West parking lot, 249 E. Fourth St. Where maintenance and repairs were done on the engines.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Southern Pacific Wood Burner, Engine Number 10
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Number 940-2035
Located: 249 E. Fourth St. Steam locomotive that linked Tombstone and Benson and hauled ore between the two cities.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Benson Depot & Wells Fargo Freight Office
Located: Benson Visitors Center, 249 E. Fourth St. Rendering from an actual photograph of the Wells Fargo freight office built in 1885.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Union Pacific Train of Today
Located: Benson Visitors Center, 249 E. Fourth St. Diesel electric locomotive.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Benson Southwestern Smelting & Refining Co
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Mule Train Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Hauling ore in the 1800's.
Benson Clean and beautiful
Early Prospector Searching for Riches
Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Gold and silver strikes would bring hopeful prospectors to the area.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Southern Pacific Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
Located: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St. Railroad contributed to the expansion of mining during the territorial years in Arizona.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Traction Engines Bringing Copper from Bisbee to Benson Smelter
Location: Caboose parking lot, Corner of Fourth and Huachuca St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Ghost Riders
Location: HorseShoe Cafe, 154 E. Fourth St. Originally created by Larry Scott and restored by Doug Quarles.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Hopi Kachina Hunters
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Hopi Kachina Dancers
Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
More Hopi Kachina Dancers
Locations: Oasis Court, 363 W. Fourth St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Small Desert Wildlife
Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St. Javelina and Gambel's quail.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Mountain Lion
Location: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
White Tail Deer and Fawn
Located: Pioneer Title, 363 W. Fourth St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Butterfield Overland Mail Stage
Located: Cochise County Government Building, 126 W. Fifth St. Overland Mail Company, established by John Butterfield operated from 1858-1861.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Healthcare then and now
Location: Benson Hospital, 450 S. Ocotillo St. Healthcare in Benson through the years.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Riverside Saloon
Located: 761 E. Fourth St. Landmark since 1940.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
86 Cafe
Located: 700 E. Fourth St. Depicting hispanic heritage and family history of the cafe owners.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Benson Lions Club
Located: 99 S. Dragoon St. Part of Benson's history since 1950 offering community events and benefit programs.
Sara Brown
Pony Express
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Last Wagon Transport
Located: Benson Museum, 267 E. Fifth St. The last wagon leaving Benson as the Southern Pacific Train comes through.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Whistle Stop Express
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Hi Wo Grocery
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.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Kartchner Cavern
Located: Historic building at Fourth and Huachuca St. Discovered in 1974 by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Desert Wildlife
Located: Benson Hospital Physical Therapy Rehab, 500 S. Hwy 80. Over 30 critters are painted in this mural.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
A Drugstore from Long Ago
Located: Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, 795 W. Fourth St. Opened in 1997. Mural depicting images from the pharmacy trade sometimes referred to apothecary.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Desert Dwellers
Located: Quiburi Mission, 850 S. Hwy 80. Desert dwellers in their natural habitat.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Benson Library
Location: Benson Public Library, 300 S Huachuca St.
Benson Clean and Beautiful
Terri's Pup House
Located: 158 S. Huachuca St.
Sense of Style
Located: Sense of Style, 118 S. Huachuca St.
Sara Brown
Want to get out of town? Try a ride to Benson
Updated 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.
Sara Brown
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
$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.
Photos by Sara Brown
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}
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.
Local artists have brought dozens of larger-than-life murals to the Tucson area in recent years. See if you can guess the seven featured in this video before time runs out!
