Apache County was named for the Apache Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. The first reference found to the name Apache is an account of the 1581 Espejo Expedition, in which they are called Apichi. The word Apache is derived from the Yuman apa ("man"), ahwa ("war; fight; battle"), and tche, which pluralizes the combination. As a nation the Apache Indians did not exist, the term being applied comprehensively to many tribes. According to Cortez, who wrote about this matter in 1799, the Spaniards included as Apaches the Tonto Apaches, the Chiricahuas, Gilenos, Mimbrenos, Taracones, Mescaleros, Llaneros, Lipanes, and the Navajos.
Almost from their initial contact with white men, the Apaches dealt death and destruction to the invading race. Their usual method of attack was to ambush individuals or small groups, their primary intent being to steal and, if necessary to kill in order to steal. This early haphazard approach soon changed to vengeful and purposeful killing after the Apaches themselves had been repeatedly attacked and slaughtered by early Spanish-Americans and later by Americans. However, the warlike Apaches also included among their enemies the peaceful Pimas and Maricopas, who lived along the Gila and Salt Rivers.
One by one the Apache tribes were either decimated until they were no longer able to withstand the incursions of settlers, or they were subdued in large groups and herded onto reservations set aside for their use, such as the Fort Apache Reservation and the Navajo Reservation.
Apache County is a cattle raising and lumbering area in that portion which has not been assigned to Indian reservations. Many sheep are raised on the Navajo Reservation, a large portion of which is in Apache County. Other agricultural activities are conducted in the county."
Barnes, Will C.; Granger, Byrd (ed.) Arizona
Place Names University of Arizona Press. 1960.
p. 2
County Profile-Arizona Department of Commerce
http://www.azcommerce.com/SiteSel/Profiles/Community+Profile+Index.htm
Local Government Website
http://www.co.apache.az.us/
Alpine
Chinle
Eager
Greer
Springerville
St. John's-County Seat
Apache County Library District
Administrative Office:
245 West 1st South
P.O. Box 2760
St. Johns, Arizona 85936-2760
Alpine Public
Library
Concho Public
Library
Greer Memorial
Library
Round Valley
Public Library
Sanders Public
Library
St. Johns Public
Library
Apache County Historical Society
180 W. Cleveland (P.O. Box 146)
St. Johns, AZ 85936
(520) 337-4737
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Guided Tours Upon Request)
Read a description
about the museum
Apache Sitgreaves National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/
Navajo Tribal Museum
PO. Box 9000, Window Rock, AZ 86515.
(520) 871-6673
http://www.navajonationmuseum.org/
Ned A. Hatathli Center
Dine College, Tsaile, Arizona
(520) 724-6757
http://www.ohwy.com/az/n/nehathmu.htm/
White Mountain Historical Society
520-333-4300
Books/Manuscripts found in the ASU Library Catalog
Apache County, Arizona : centennial, 1879-1979.
F817
.A6 A6x
Lest ye forget. by Apache County Centennial Committee, Arizona, 1980.
F817
.A6 L4x
John Henry Standifird Journals, 1862-1923
FILM
9343
