MESA, Ariz. — Before the New York Giants became the San Francisco Giants, a historic bath house and motel was once home away from home for baseball legends like Willie Mays and Gaylord Perry.
The final Cactus League spring training games are being played in the Valley on Tuesday, 12 News is highlighting the Buckhorn Baths and Motel in Mesa, that's credited for helping lead spring training to Arizona.
"The Buckhorn has tremendous significance," Vic Linoff, the President of the Mesa Preservation Foundation, said.
The Mesa Historical Museum currently has an entire exhibit dedicated to the Buckhorn Baths and Motel.
"It could be argued that it's one of the main reasons why we have the establishment of the Cactus League," Linoff said.
In 1947, the New York Giants, now known as the San Francisco Giants, made the Buckhorn Baths and Motel it's "pre-spring training camp," because of it's mineral-rich water. The water was believed to have medicinal or healing abilities.
At the exhibit, displays of baseball legends, like Giants Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Gaylord Perry. Over the years, more teams made their way to Arizona, and the Cactus League was born. The Buckhorn thrived through much of the 20th century.
In 2005, the Buckhorn Baths and Motel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But now it's future is in jeopardy.
"Because of the recession in 2008, Mesa's park system needed lots of infusion of money, and the voters approved a bond that included money to purchase the Buckhorn Baths," Linoff said.
According to the Mesa Tribune, some of the voter-approved land was sold to a developer. They report 11 acres was purchased by the developer, including the plot of land the Buckhorn resides on, at Main St. and Recker Rd.
"The Buckhorn only takes up 4.5 acres," Linoff said. "There's often difficulty when your mind is focused on developed and not history. It's hard to say where it's going to go."
While the future is uncertain for the Buckhorn Baths and Motel, the legendary past continues to be honored. The Mesa Historical Museum exhibit is open through July 2024.
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