Hollywood’s Wild West and a tightknit desert community
At first glance, Mescal doesn’t look like it has much going on. It’s a rural, residential neighborhood in the Chihuahuan Desert, and it only has one restaurant. The nearest town, Benson, is roughly 8 miles east. Upon second or third glance, though, this small community has been on TV screens across the world. It’s home to the Mescal Movie Set, a staged Old West town that’s been in over 100 westerns. “Tombstone” and “The Quick and the Dead” were filmed here, for instance; Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman and Sharon Stone have all walked the set’s dusty floorboards. And while the set was scheduled for sale and demolition in 2021, Kartchner Ventures bought the property and started renovations to these 28 historic buildings. The set opened for tours soon after, and independent filmmakers started using the location again. Actual residents — not fictional cowboys and sheriffs — mostly live south of this set. Rather than revolver duels and saloons, they can enjoy budget-friendly housing prices and a friendly atmosphere. “People look out for each other,” says Cyndy Malec, a local and a Realtor with Long Realty since 2023. “We have a lot of Facebook groups. You’ll always see posts about someone’s dog, cow, horse or llama who’s run away, and people will respond if they’ve seen it. People will ask for advice or say they need an AC unit repaired, and someone will reach out. If you’re part of those groups, you’ll always know what’s going on in the area.”
Open since 1950, Mescal Movie Set provides Hollywood with an Old West town used in films.
Residents in the Mescal area are typically conservative leaning.
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Manufactured homes and ranch-styles in the Chihuahuan Desert
Mescal mostly has manufactured homes on quarter-acre lots. They’re usually built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, but some are as new as 2023. Their yards are typically sand, as watered landscaping isn’t practical in most cases. Most properties have cypress and mesquite trees, and sagebrush adds a surprising green to the sandy landscape. These manufactured homes start at $80,000 but can reach $240,000 with more square footage. Ranch-style homes are rarer, but they’re found throughout the neighborhood. They’re usually built in a similar timeframe and have similar-sized lots. Exteriors mostly feature stucco instead of siding, and interiors are usually bigger. Smaller homes start at $250,000 but can reach $700,000 for bigger, estate-like properties. The neighborhood’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Mescal has plenty of newer manufactured homes and open lots that are ready for homes.
Mescal yards are typically dirt or gravel due to extreme heat and drought in Southern AZ.
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Open spaces in Rincon Mountain Wilderness, Saguaro National Park
A part of the Coronado National Forest, the Rincon Mountain Wilderness is just north of the neighborhood. This high desert range covers about 2,400 acres, and campgrounds and hiking trails are found throughout. These hikes culminate in the Rincon Peak Trail, a 15-mile trek with over 4,500 feet of elevation gain. At the top, hikers are at roughly 8,500 feet, and they have views of Saguaro National Park below. This park is split up into two districts around Tucson, but this eastern district is closest to Mescal. It has many of the area’s famous saguaro cacti, which can grow above 40 feet tall, and over 120 miles of hiking trails. Hydration is key for exploration around here, though, since summer temperatures frequently go above 100 degrees.
The world famous Saguaro National Park is located 35 minutes from Mescal.
The Rincon Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to Mescal's pastoral beauty.
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The wildlife at Mescal Bar & Grill, shopping in Benson
After parking at Mescal Bar & Grill, one of the first things people notice is the gorilla. This giant sheet metal statue stands out front of the restaurant, baring its teeth and watching over the parking lot. It’s become a symbol for this log cabin-like restaurant, the only food spot in the neighborhood. Interior décor is similarly eclectic, with signs that read “Free Beer Tomorrow” and “Don’t Worry: Our Staff Is Accustomed To Dumb Questions.” Burgers are bestsellers, but they're also known for their surf and turf and carne asada. Dollar General is just north for groceries, and a Chevron station is on the neighborhood’s south side. For larger shopping trips, the town of Benson, about 8 miles east, has Safeway, Walmart and Tractor Supply Co. It also has more locally owned restaurants such as Farmhouse and Arena Bar.
Mescal residents utilize Quick Pic Food Mart for essentials and gas.
Mescal locals and visitors alike enjoy visiting Mescal Bar and Grill for it's gorilla theme.
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Short drive to Benson Unified Schools
Students in Mescal can carpool to Benson Unified Schools. Benson Primary serves preschool through fifth grade and earns a B from Niche. Just up the street, Benson Middle serves grades six through eight and scores a B-plus. Benson High is two buildings north and gets the same rating. Niche also considers it the best public high school in Cochise County, ahead of 15 others. Its career technical education courses include agriculture, construction technologies, welding and digital photography.
Community events in Benson
Mescal doesn’t have many events, but residents can head over to neighboring Benson. This town has the Annual Lantern Festival in September, a tradition since 2017. Held at the San Pedro Golf Course, the event packs crowds on a lawn in the afternoon, and people often bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks and vendor booths accompany the party. When darkness falls, people light hundreds of lanterns and send them into the night sky. Classic Cars Off Main happens in the same month, when drivers come to show off their rides. Similarly, food and music fills the street, and a lucky car wins the award for People’s Choice. The Annual 4th of July Celebration is another tradition for this town, and it brings a parade and other festivities to Lions Park.
Hopping on the ramp to Interstate 10
Mescal is a small area and can be walked or biked, but most people drive. Interstate 10 runs along the neighborhood’s south side; using this highway, the Benson Hospital is about 8 miles east, and Tucson is about 40 miles west. It only has two lanes in either direction, but traffic flows freely. However, congestion is more common toward Tucson International Airport. The U.S.-Mexico border is about 70 miles south of the neighborhood via state Route 80.
Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
Peter Medawar
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carole Irizarry Pierce,
an experienced agent in this area.
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