Young
Homes and Real Estate for Sale in Arizona
Young Arizona
Young, also known as Pleasant Valley, is surrounded by mountains and lies in
the heart of the Tonto National Forest. At an elevation of 5,177 feet, the
town is located halfway between the Mogollon Rim and Roosevelt Lake. Young
began as a cattle ranching community in the 1880s. The town became
semi-famous as the site of the Pleasant Valley War between the Grahams and
the Tewksburys, two cattle ranching families. Pleasant Valley eventually
became known as Young in honor of long-time citizen Miss Ola Young, who
served 50 years as the town's first postmistress.
Young is accessible via graveled roads on Forest Road FH-12, from state
Highway 260 on the Rim and state Highway 288 on the east side of Roosevelt
Lake. Of the approximately 5,000 acres in the community, 1,500 acres have
been broken up into two- to five-acre parcels with the balance remaining as
grazing land.
Principal Economic Activities
Young is primarily a retirement and second home community. Half of the
population is 50 years old or older. The few remaining cattle ranches are
mostly owner-operated, offering few job opportunities.
The Young Public School and the United States Forest Service are the area's
largest employers. The Arizona Department of Transportation, Gila County
road maintenance, the post office and library each employ two or three
individuals. The few local businesses are owner-operated and
service-oriented. Additional self-employed people provide construction, lawn
care, housekeeping or other personal services.
Scenic Attractions
The Tonto National Forest attracts more visitors than any other national
forest in the United States. Hunting and fishing, as well as camping and
hiking are available with spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Young
is located between the Sierra Anchas and Hell's Gate Wilderness areas. There
are major archaeological and historical sites in the area. Tours feature the
various century old cabins, museums and battle sites of the Pleasant Valley
war.
The Arizona Department of Transportation, Forest Service and the Pleasant
Valley Community Council are developing the Pleasant Valley Airport as a
fly-in sports/wildlife recreation area. Forest Road FH-12 has been selected
as a Scenic Byway. Young is also a common stop on the Payson/Rim
Lakes/Pleasant Valley/Roosevelt Lake scenic loop drive
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"Top Real Estate Agents in
Young, Arizona"
Young is in Eastern Arizona. It is in Gila
County. The town is in the middle of the Tonto National Forest, between the
Sierra Anchas and Hell’s Gate Wilderness areas. It lies in Pleasant Valley.
The town is accessible by way of gravel roads. There are two ways into
Young. One is from the north on Forest Road 512 from State Highway 260 on
the Mogollon Rim. The second is from the south on State Highway 288 from
State Highway 88 on the east side of Roosevelt Lake.
Overview:
Young has been called one of Arizona’s last “cow towns”. It is a quiet
retirement and second home community. It began as a cattle ranching town and
is also known as the site of the Pleasant Valley War. The town sits at an
elevation of 5,177 feet. The climate is mild all year round with a winter
low temperature of 21 degrees and a summer high temperature of 90 degrees.
Young has small town charm. Visitors will discover hunting, fishing, camping
and hiking, along with amazing sights.
Community Features:
Although Young is a small town, there are some attractions you won’t want to
pass up. The Young Cemetery has the gravestones of many men, who lost their
lives in the Pleasant Valley War during the 1800’s. The cemetery is in town
behind the Baptist Church. The Antler Café is a unique restaurant. It has
mining equipment, cowboy gear and hunting mementos. You will want to stop
by, grab a bite and take a look around.
Since Young is set among some of the most beautiful scenery, there are many
outdoor activities to take in. Forest Road 512 has been selected as a Scenic
Byway. You begin this drive from the north at State Highway 260, where you
take Forest Road 512 south down to Young. The road takes you through
spectacular landscapes and through historic Pleasant Valley. Be prepared,
the road is not paved. Once you are in Young, you may continue your
southbound journey. Take note, the road changes to State Highway 288 and
dumps out on State Highway 88 near Roosevelt Lake. The Canyon Creek Fish
Hatchery is just north of town. You will take Forest Road 512 north and then
take Forest Road 33 east to the hatchery. The hatchery has a self-guided
tour full of information. Willow Springs Lake is off of State Highway 260,
north of Young. The lake is kind of secluded because there are no
campgrounds, although you may camp in the forest. It is a peaceful lake with
a boat ramp.
History:
James Stinson was one of the first settlers in Pleasant Valley, where the
town of Young is located. There are two accounts of how the town’s name came
into existence. One story says that town was named after William Young, who
had acquired the Graham ranch and its herd during the late 1800’s. Tom
Graham sold the ranch, after he moved to Tempe. The second story recalls
that it was named after Miss Ola Young. She was a part of the Young family
and had served for 50 years as the town’s first postmistress. No matter
which story is true, it should be noted that after the Pleasant Valley war
had ended, the Young family did create a different atmosphere for the town.
Today the tiny town is known as one of Arizona’s last “cow towns”. Many
visitors come to see where the feud began and to enjoy its natural scenery.
There are many versions of the Pleasant Valley War and many of the details
are controversial. Stories range from James Stinson stating he would give a
reward of the head of any man caught driving sheep over the Mogollon Rim,
all the way to Stinson saying that his cattle kept disappearing and pretty
soon the Grahams and the Tewksburys were fighting over them. There are many
books and movies about this western battle. The following is a popular
telling the events. One thing is for sure; the war was mainly between the
Tewksbury and Graham families.
John Tewksbury arrived in Pleasant Valley in 1880, with his four sons named
John, James, Junior and Edwin. All the boys were expert marksmen. Jim is
described as being able to shoot backwards. It is believed; when he sensed
trouble he would put the gun over his shoulder and kill his enemy without
turning around.
The Grahams came to Pleasant Valley in 1882. There were two brothers, named
Tom and John. It wasn’t until 1884, before the Blevin family became a part
of the Graham faction. Andy “Cooper” Blevin was one of the five Blevin boys
that contributed to the on going war and is credited for being one of the
most ruthless killers.
The story begins with the Tewksbury’s and the Graham’s already quarreled
over cattle stolen from James Stinson, their employer, when the Tewksbury’s
gave protection to a band of sheep driven over the Mogollon Rim in 1887 by
the Daggs brothers. This was when the feud really got going.
The arrival of the sheep caused the settlers, who had previously not taken a
part in the Tewksbury-Graham quarrel to unite in defending their range
against the sheep. The defiant cattlemen killed a Navajo sheepherder and
drove out or destroyed the sheep. The Tewksbury’s retaliated and the
struggle became a five-year feud that was responsible for 19 known deaths
and was credited for many more.
Attempts by the law to end the hostilities were futile. Every man who
remained in the valley was eventually drawn into this conflict. An enemy was
hunted like an animal and death was the penalty for an unguarded moment.
The feud ended in 1892, when Tom the last of the Grahams was killed in
Tempe. Although, Tom Graham swore before he died that the men who had
ambushed him were Ed Tewksbury and John Rhodes and witnesses confirmed their
identify in court, they went free.
The Pleasant Valley War will continue to be a part of the town of Young and
a part of Arizona’s Wild West history.
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