DOUBTFUL CANYON Coronado found his way through this canyon on his quest through Arizona in search of the Seven Lost Cities of Gold. It later became the trade route between Mexico City and Santa Fe. The San Antonio and San Diego mail route passed through here, and so did the Butterfield Trail. It was the route for all commerce coming into or going out of Arizona either to or from the east. It was not the easiest route, but it had a reliable water source. Water was absolutely crucial to travel. During the Cochise War, which began in February of 1861, safe travel through the canyon became a doubtful proposition. Mail riders were paid handsomely for carrying mail between Mesilla and Tucson, but few of them survived the trip. It might be
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