Ajo, an unincorporated community of the Pima county of Arizona, USA, is a place to escape from the fast paced life of big cities and enjoy a relaxed life. It is a census- designated place in the Pima county and is located on the Arizona Highway 85, only about 43 miles from the Mexican border. Saguaro cactus, Ocotillo and other exotic desert plants grow in and around the town. Ajo has a rich tradition as a former copper-mining hub and offers a panoramic view across nearly two miles of open pit mine from the New Cornelia Open Pit Mining Lookout on the Indian Village Road. The city began as a mining town, with the large, open pit copper mine, which operated until 1983. With the closure of the mine, the local economy suffered a lot, but the town has started re-building itself as a retirement community offering remoteness from the cities. It is also the closest town to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where one can explore an abundance of plants and wildlife unique to the Sonoran Desert. The monument has a concentration of the rare Organ Pipe Cactus.
One should travel to Arizona to move back in time in the Historic Plaza of Ajo built in 1917 under the direction of John Campbell Greenway's wife Isabella. John Campbell Greenway was the real founder of this small town of Ajo. The Plaza was built in Spanish colonial revival style and features a center park lined by retail shops, restaurants and two mission-style churches. The Curley School, built in 1919, is a breathtaking piece of Spanish style architecture. The Ajo Historical Society Museum located in the old St. Catherine's Indian Mission houses many artifacts and mementos from Ajo's past.
Some of the Arizona hotels which provide suitable accommodation in and near the town of Ajo are the Best Western Space Age Lodge, Travelodge Inn Gila Bend, Carefree Inn Gila bend, etc.
