Poston's Butte
Florence, Pinal County, Arizona
Marker Inscription
Poston's Butte. Charles Debrille Poston, 1825-1902, often referred to as the "Father of Arizona", promoted territorial status for Arizona during President Lincoln's administration, Poston, motivated by silver mining interests lobbied for federal legislation to create the Territory of Arizona in 1863. At various times Poston served as federal Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Arizona, agricultural agent in Phoenix, U.S. Land Register in Florence, U.S. Consul at Nogales and Arizona's first Congressional delegate. Poston envisioned, but never built, a temple to the sun, two miles west, on Primrose Hill. He was buried atop this hill, now called Poston's Butte.
Erected by Pinal County Historical Society. Arizona Historical Society
The Story
Charles Debrille Poston (1825-1902), often called the 'Father of Arizona,' lobbied during Lincoln's administration for the federal legislation that created the Arizona Territory in 1863, driven in part by his silver-mining interests. Over his career he served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, U.S. Land Register at Florence, consul at Nogales, and Arizona's first congressional delegate. He dreamed of a temple to the sun on a nearby hill and was buried atop this butte, which now bears his name.
Why it matters
Poston embodies the promoters, miners, and boosters who drove the political creation of the American Southwest during the Civil War era.
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Related people
- · Charles Debrille Poston
- · Abraham Lincoln
Themes & tags
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