The camo'd tin container for the cache is placed as an offset from this beautiful and well maintained cemetery. Please recover as found for othes to enjoy. Just up 1/4 mile to the west on this all-weather road is the VIRDEN CEMETERY.
In 1870, The New Mexico Mining Company created this village area along the Gila River for water purposes to use in their mining operations near Lordsburg. They first called this site Richmond, named after the Virginia Mining District's capital city in Virginia.
The Gila Ranch Company was the large land owner of the area. In 1912, Mormons immigrated here from Mexico and needed new homes. They bargained with the ranch and bought this valley area for $50,000. In 1916, the community's name was changed to VIRDEN, in honor of Ernest W. VIRDEN, who was president of the Gila Ranch Company. Officially, VIRDEN was incorporated as a village in 1925.
In the 2000 Census, about 200 residents lived here, most being descendents of the Mormon immigrants. The school kids are bussed to Duncan, Arizona, for the past 20 or so years.
This cache is placed as a tribute to the early pioneers and settlers of VIRDEN. Please respect the property.