Buckhorn Baths Motel, historic defunct mineral hot spring resort in Mesa, Arizona
Buckhorn Baths Motel is a resort built in Pueblo Revival style that was founded in the late 1930s and consisted of a collection of cottages, a bathhouse, and additional facilities. The property included pools, fountains, well-kept lawns, and palm trees that created a relaxing destination for visitors.
The resort began in 1939 when Ted and Alice Sliger dug a well and discovered hot mineral water over 43 degrees Celsius (110 Fahrenheit), after which they built a bathhouse. The property expanded over the following decades with additional cottages, motels, and facilities, becoming a well-known destination and even serving as a hub for baseball spring training like the New York Giants in the 1950s and 1960s.
The name Buckhorn comes from a deer that Ted Sliger borrowed from a friend, which later inspired the resort's name. The Pueblo Revival design with its rounded forms and earthy colors connects the buildings to the local desert landscape and the heritage of southwestern Native peoples.
The site is on private property and not open to public entry, though visitors can view the ruins from the driveway near the old neon sign. Those who visit should know that a caretaker is on-site and may ask you to leave if you attempt to enter the property, so it is best to view the site from the roadside.
Ted Sliger was a skilled taxidermist who built a Wildlife Museum on the grounds filled with stuffed animals and Native American artifacts that drew visitors interested in his extensive collection. This unusual museum within the bathing resort made it a cultural and tourist destination that extended far beyond soaking in mineral water.
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