Willcox Arizona
Willcox which cuts nearly 100 miles through Cochise County with an average width of 15 miles is in the northern part of the Sulphur Springs Valley. It lies on the I-10 halfway between El Paso, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. The town was first named “Maley” because the rail-road right-of-way extended through the ranch of James H. Maley. Legend has it that Gen. Orlando B. Willcox (1823-1907), aboard the first train that came through in the year 1880, received an ovation. Other railroad officials also aboard the train asked what the name of the new town was; the crowd gave a mighty shout: “Willcox, Willcox!”
Willcox was once known as the Cattle Capital of the nation because large livestock auctions were held there. Up until 1935, more than 40 thousand cattle were shipped out of Willcox.
At this time, Willcox is one of only two major shipping points in southern Arizona, the other is Tucson. The community is now home to more than a few corporate headquarters and a number of support industries. Its population as of year 2000 is 3,733.
