Arizona Origins

Arizona Origins We share unique stories, photos, and rare items that embody the rich history of Arizona and US SW

We are based outside Tucson, Arizona with the focus of sharing rare antiquities that capture the history of the American Southwest. As of 2021, we serve as a virtual museum and private historical society with hopes of having a physical location open to the public. We are active buyers with the intent of giving people fair prices for items that tell a story about early prehistoric (documented prove

nance) and historic Native American material culture (Pima "Tohono and Akimel O’odham), Hopi, Apache, Navajo), the Spanish Empire in the New World, 18th to early 20th century frontier life in Arizona/New Mexico, rare taxidermy, skulls, antique firearms, early general store memorabilia, rare first edition books, unique 19th century and early 20th century advertising, rare stereoviews, boudoirs, daguerrotypes, cabinet cards, or other early southwest photographs, and any other interesting historical items relating to the American Southwest. We can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 781-296-5806.

09/10/2026

An incredible piece of American history.

In 1856, Alabama lawyer John C. Reid left Marion with the Mesilla Valley Company on an expedition across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. His firsthand account, Reid’s Tramp, was published in Selma in 1858 and became one of the great rarities of Southwestern Americana.

This first-edition copy carries an extraordinary inscription: “R. D. Jackson — Nov. 29th 1858” — placing Dr. Robert Dandridge Jackson’s ownership in the same year the book was published.

Their stories would later converge around the Civil War. Reid became a Confederate officer. Jackson served as a Confederate surgeon, including service with Nathan Bedford Forrest, and was stationed in Selma when Union forces captured the city in April 1865. Jackson later recorded that he rejoined Forrest immediately after the fighting and that Forrest rested at Jackson’s home in Hamburg before continuing his retreat.

So the timeline is remarkable:

Reid’s expedition, 1856 → Reid’s Tramp published, 1858 → Jackson signs this copy, Nov. 29, 1858 → Reid & Jackson serve during the Civil War → Selma falls, 1865 → Forrest rests at Jackson’s home.

09/06/2026

Anasazi (Ancestral Puebloan) Tularosa Black On White (1100-1300AD) Arizona / New Mexico border.

09/06/2026

Anasazi /Ancestral Puebloan (for all the progressives) Black On White Bowl (1100-1300). Interested to hear your take on typology. Tularosa? Pinedale? Black on white reserve?

Intricate Hohokam Shell Pendent (1100-1300AD. Private Collection (ER)
09/06/2026

Intricate Hohokam Shell Pendent (1100-1300AD. Private Collection (ER)

Hohokam Shell Roadrunner pendent (1100-1300AD) courtesy Eddie R (private collection)
09/05/2026

Hohokam Shell Roadrunner pendent (1100-1300AD) courtesy Eddie R (private collection)

09/04/2026

One of the most remarkable pieces of Arizona history was found at a yard sale for just $2.

This lance is attributed to General José Cosme Urrea, born in 1797 at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón, when Tucson was still a remote Spanish military outpost on the northern frontier of New Spain.

Urrea was born into a remarkable family of frontier soldiers. His father, Mariano de Urrea, served as an officer at the Tucson Presidio and spent years campaigning on the northern frontier. His grandfather, Captain Miguel de Urrea, had also served at Tucson. In 1780, Miguel was ambushed by a party of Apaches near Altar, Sonora, and died from his wounds.

José followed the same military tradition. He entered Spanish military service as a child and later became a general in the Mexican Army. He emerged as one of Mexico’s most capable commanders during the Texas Revolution, defeating Texian forces at San Patricio, Refugio and Coleto. He remained a major military and political figure through the turbulent decades that followed, including the era of the Mexican-American War.

It is remarkable to think that a family whose story stretches from the Spanish Tucson Presidio, through the Apache wars of the frontier, Mexican independence and the conflicts that reshaped the Southwest could potentially be represented by an object that survived for more than two centuries.

And somehow, this lance eventually turned up at a yard sale, where it was purchased for just $2.

08/30/2026

The origins of driving interest toward southwest archaeology at the Cliff Dweller’s Exhibit at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

Beautiful Sinagua Petroglyph panel (Northern Arizona) 1100-1300AD
08/30/2026

Beautiful Sinagua Petroglyph panel (Northern Arizona) 1100-1300AD

We need the help of our followers. We are looking for real, historic photographic examples of this sign (not AI) from 19...
08/25/2026

We need the help of our followers. We are looking for real, historic photographic examples of this sign (not AI) from 1938 to the late 1940s. It was mounted on a pole down the center with sides exposed. Given the number of these signs in private collections, they were scattered along road sides advertising the Santa Rita Hotel.

There are still bullets in the sides of the sign which provides evidence with how it was mounted. Thanks for your help ahead of time.

Address

11061 N Oracle Road Suite 150
Oro Valley, AZ
85737

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

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