The 1887 Earthquake in San Bernardino Valley, Sonora: Historic accounts and intensity patterns in Arizona

On May 3, 1887, a major earthquake shook much of the southwest United States and Mexico, an area of nearly two million square kilometers. This seismic event, with an estimated magnitude of 7.2 (DuBois and Sbar, in press), caused 51 deaths in northern Sonora, and major destruction of property in southeast Arizona, as well as adjacent portions of Mexico. Moderate damage also occurred in New Mexico.

(1870) Across America and Asia: Notes of a Five Years' Journey Around the World and of Residence in Arizona, Japan, and China

A historical account including extensive stay in southern Arizona (Tucson, Tubac, Santa Rita Mountains, Sonoita, and other areas) from the early 1860s. This is one of the most depopulated and dangerous times generally in southern Arizona. Apaches fought back against intruders extensively in this period, to such a point many people of European ancestry left entirely; many settlements were abandoned by Mexicans and Americans both. Even the fort at Tucson was close to abandonment at this time, especially with uncertainties and battles of the Civil War.

A Brief History Of Sonora

For many reasons, Sonora has historically been rather isolated from the rest of Mexico. It is the farthest state from Mexico City and long viewed by the country’s strong central government as a “frontier region” or, worse, a dry desert wasteland. Its colonial history is not as deep or rich as that of central-southern Mexico, and its archeological past lacks remains of the great civilizations from the south (Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecs, etc.). Even today, many Sonorans feel the government of Mexico City largely ignores their presence.