Buckhorn Motel

 


When Mesa pioneers Ted and Alice Sliger discovered a hot spring on their desert property in 1939, they decided to build a motel that offered mineral water baths.  




 


The Buckhorn Mineral Baths opened in 1939, drawing those with arthritis and kindred ailments to their hot springs, famous for odorless water infused with potassium, silica, magnesium and iron. 




 

An old style motel with individual kitchenettes and covered carports were added later.

Ted and Alice Sliger ran the place. 

Ted was a taxidermist and sportsman, 

and the lodge gradually filled with trophies.

Alice Sliger still lived on the grounds and managed things at age 96, but soon decided that she couldn't keep the baths open. The healthful water still runs through motel taps.  (Alice Sliger died on Nov. 9, 2010, at the age of 103)

(Can't you just imagine having your own cottage, then walking over to take a dip in a natural hot springs mineral bath in the "ladies" side?  The "gents" door was on the other side.)






The Cactus League first started more than 50 years ago. And for 25 of those years, the New York (later San Francisco) Giants roomed at the Buckhorn Mineral Baths, a classic roadside stop in Mesa. Their manager, Leo Durocher, loved the place. A silver tray presented by the 1952 team still rests in the museum. From 1947 to 1972, with such famous players as Willie Mays and Ty Cobb, made the Buckhorn their winter home.





The mineral baths were closed in 1999.  The Buckhorn is a unique part of the history of Mesa.  As of today, it was closed up pretty tight, and a cyclone fence surrounds part of the gardens.  As it is with "progress", I fear this place won't be here much longer.  That would be a shame.  (more pictures here )