A RARE opportunity to own your own Arizona Ghost Town Museum! Step back in time to the turn of the century Wild West Ghost Town of Pearce Arizona.

Located in southeastern Arizona, Pearce is the gateway to the famed Cochise Stronghold in the majestic and sacred Dragoon mountains. Pearce was named after James Pearce, miner and cattleman, who discovered gold nearby at what became the Commonwealth Mine in 1894.

Opened in 1896, the Soto Bros. and Renaud Store was in competition with a mercantile run by John G. Smith. Renaud became the sole owner of the store in 1901, successfully operating the store until it sold to Albert Rothe. The two-story adobe structure was built with cedar and redwood beams. The cast metal facade was added to the front of the building by Charles Renaud. It is one of the largest adobe structures in Cochise County. 

Today, The Old Pearce Mercantile is a jewel in the high desert. This pristine, ”One of a Kind” property, registered in the National Register of Historic Places, has been extensively renovated inside and out, returning it to its original glory along with modern-day conveniences.

Following careful planning to preserve it’s integrity, using materials to match the period, the restoration was completed in 2019 by local artisans recognized for meticulous, detailed, old-world craftsmanship. The treasure trove of antiques that convey with the sale of The Old Pearce Store, as it is known, offers a glimpse into what was a fascinating era that has long captivated the imaginations of American western history enthusiasts.

Many artistically displayed vignettes evidence the owner’s dedication to The Old Pearce Stores restoration. Some examples are the vestibule, which features a booth with a teller window brought over the Dragoon Mountains from the post office in Tombstone! Metalwork from the original bank teller window now hangs displayed on the wall at the rear of the store which housed a Wells Fargo Bank. Another clever display is an antique “out-house” seat, hung on the wall outside the courtyard water closet!

The exterior courtyard leads to a working blacksmith shop, multiple storage areas, buggy garages, and ramada. Quaint living quarters in the rear of the store are expertly furnished with period pieces and fixtures. All entries and bathrooms are designed for easy accessibility. Newly installed iron fencing, gates, and a brick courtyard define the outdoor living spaces. You’ll enjoy the high desert climate relaxing out back on the new private bricked patio accessible off the living room. Master crafted ironwork encloses the north patio off the Pearce Road entryway to the living quarters.

A bit of the History of Pearce

The Pearce Post Office was established on March 6, 1896. The railroad station opened in 1903. By 1919, Pearce had a population of 1,500. The town declined in the 1930s and became almost a ghost town in the late 1940s when the mine closed. There are a few residents today, a pottery, a curio shop as well as the Pearce Elementary School that has educated area children since 1912.

Could your unique home use a marketing transformation? Let Brenda help!