Concho, Census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona
Concho is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, situated along State Route 61 and divided into two sections called Old Concho and Concho Valley. A small lake nearby functions as an irrigation reservoir and is open for fishing and boating.
Don Manuel Antonio Candelaria, from Cubero in New Mexico, became the first non-Indigenous settler in the area when he arrived in 1861 after time spent as an Apache captive. His presence opened the way for other Hispanic families who followed and shaped the character of the settlement.
The annual San Rafael Fiesta brings together former and current residents to celebrate traditions rooted in the area's early Hispanic settlers. Visitors who attend can witness customs passed down through generations that remain meaningful to the community today.
State Route 61 is the main road into the area, so having a personal vehicle is the most practical way to get around. The setting is rural with few services nearby, so it helps to stock up on supplies before arriving from a larger town.
The name Concho comes from the Spanish word for shell, because early settlers found many small shells along Concho Creek. Finding shells this far inland was unexpected enough that it became the name everyone used for the place.
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