The Buckhorn Baths were originally opened in 1926 as a gas station but things changed when the Sligers purchased the property and discovered a mineral hot spring in 1939. In 1947 the New York Giants decided to make the Buckhorn Baths and Motel their spring training home, and they kept coming back as the San Francisco Giants until 1972. In short, the Sligers and these baths helped give birth to the Cactus League. A rather detailed article about the Buckhorn Baths' contribution to Arizona's Cactus League is on PlayBall's website. That's right, my love for baseball and vintage roadside americana has officially collided. The baths also included a wildlife museum, a huge taxidermy collection, a sand golf course, and more vintage memorabilia than could possibly fit in one location. The property was closed in 1999 but the lobby just looks like someone stepped out to lunch.
In 2005 Buckhorn Baths was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was recently listed as the most endangered roadside location by the Society of Commercial Archaeology. Thankfully the Mesa Preservation Foundation is working to restore the Buckhorn Baths property so that it is available to travelers and little league players for years to come. I can't wait to do more than just stare through the windows.
- Stefanie
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