settlers began living in the this
area, along the banks of Pinal Creek, in about 900 CE (Current Era). They
deserted their villages a few centuries later, only to be replaced by the Salado
people in approximately 1225. The structures you see now at Besh-ba-Gowah
were then abandoned around 1400 CE, and the Salado mysteriously disappeared into history.
Salado culture produced fine pottery, shell and turquoise jewelry, and
fabrics. Some artifacts of these and various other objects can be seen in the
museum.
The ruins and museum are owned and operated by the City of Globe, and more
information can be obtained by calling 928-425-0320.
Interestingly, "besh-ba-gowah" means "place of metal" in
the Apache language (no one knows what the Salado called it!). It is a fitting name
indeed, as Globe later grew into one of the major copper mining towns in the western
United States.
