Photos and text by Annemarie Eveland

Mescal was a small town in Arizona before it got its new life as Mescal Movie Set in Benson, AZ. The name itself “mescal” (according to my research) is a Spanish word for “century plant.” In Arizona, we see these plants growing for many years, then they burst into spectacular bloom, and then they die. But Mescal Movie Set is very much alive and well.

I read that in 1885, in the area of Mescal, Arizona, (Cochise County) two companies of colored troops were stationed to furnish escort to travelers. But let’s get back to the history of movie-making.

Originally, the Mescal movie set was owned by Old Tucson. They owned it while filming movies and when they closed, they gave up the lease as it was on Pima County Land. As Old Tucson closed its operation, they had to return it to its original state---which was unfortunately barren desert land. Because it was sitting on Arizona Trust Land, the buildings were going to be bulldozed down.

But, fortunately, the Kretchner family, interested in preserving historical places, bought the lease of the 70 acres and buildings from the State of Arizona Trust Land.               

And Mescal Movie Set volunteers eagerly began the production of restoring the authentic 1880s western town. The re-building and the maintenance of this historic western town would be considered daunting to some folks.

Since it was in 1968 that the movie company originally built the frontier town, the “set people” as they are known, worked to recreate a believable western town.         

Early on, several movies were filmed there including  Winchester 73 with Jimmy Stewart; The Big Country with Gregory Peck, and Cimarron with Glenn Ford. One of the early movies filmed there in 1970 was Monty Walsh with Lee Marvin and Jack Palance. Since that movie, there have been an amazing number of western movies filmed at the Mescal Movie Set. I was surprised to learn that well over 80 movies have been filmed there. 

Iconic legends have made memorable movies such as Bonanza (with Lorne Green, Michael Landon), Gunsmoke (TV Series) with James Arness, Judge Roy Bean (Paul Newman, Ava Gardner,) Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood), Little House on the Prairie (Michael Landon), The Sacketts (Sam Elliot, Tom Selleck, Glenn Ford), The Gambler (Kenny Rodgers), Stagecoach (Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings); Tombstone (Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott), Maverick (Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner), The Quick and the Dead (Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio), and Buffalo Soldiers (Danny Glover). For a more complete list, refer to their website.  

I let my imagination return to my own younger days when I grew up in a family of eleven children, and my brother wanted to play western with me. I always insisted on being Annie Oakley or I didn’t want to play with him. I thought she was my hero, and I loved the old west. We had an old remnant of a car we used for the stagecoach, and likely we had to improvise for guns. But time passed; my brother and I grew up (and he got his real gun) and I still fantasized about being a crack shot like Annie Oakley. 

But in visiting Mescal Movie Set, one realizes that you don’t have to dream of playing a western part, you can book your Mescal’s western town and create whatever character you want for your own memorable movie!

In addition to making memorable movies, Mescal also hosts their town for the making of music videos, business commercials, special events, and private celebrations. 

Mescal also offers businesses the opportunity to sponsor programs for being promoted on their social media, website, and online newsletters. 

Mescal does special events during the holiday seasons. They are family-friendly and updated planned events for holidays can be found on their website. They work hard to preserve the integrity of the old west and be authentic in the creation of their “town.” 

When visiting Mescal Movie Set in Benson, it is best to make reservations on their website, but they do try and accommodate those visitors who arrive more spontaneously.  

Summertime notation: Upcoming Sunset Tours are available on Saturdays—on August 13^th and 27^th at 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm for $15.00. Daytime tours at $10 when offered. Daytime tours from 9a-3p on Fridays and Saturdays will commence in October. Kids 10 years and younger are free. Check their website for starting dates of day tours.

 
On a tour, you will enjoy a one-hour tour through the movie set with a Mescal Historian who enlightens you about the movies and the actors. And of course, you are likely to see some lively skits they put together for your enjoyment.

I mentioned to Louis that when I was visiting Mescal Movie Set, I had been delightfully entertained by some of their western colorful skits. Louis said the crew comes up with an idea for a skit and then over time it evolves into a noteworthy presentation. They like to note what makes the crowds laugh and enjoy seeing what improvising ideas are well received by their audiences. On my visit to Mescal, there was a bank robbery (of course) and one of the saloon gals got away with the bags of loot. (Hurrah for womanhood!) 

I also learned that when movies are being made, some of their folks get hired, and even the townsfolks of Benson are added as extras, and food is often catered from Benson’s town. It is good for Benson to have this income. 

Mescal Movie Set will soon be filming another movie so they will be closed to the public after the sunset tours and reopen again in mid-October after the filming is finished. Check for updated information. 

If you have a hankering to be part of that historical part of the old west, Mescal is always looking for people who want to be Historians and of course, you are especially appreciated if you know how to help with the buildings. At present they have 100 active volunteers who act as “Street-mospheres,” (translated that may be their coined word for “streetwalkers-and-atmosphere.” People who love dressing up in western garb and wandering around the town’s streets on the days they have visitors to add that special touch of old western flavor. It adds some authentic feeling about the town for the visitors. Louis emphasized that they are what an authentic western town would look like and what it would feel like if you were living there in the 1800s. They are a true movie set, not a theme park. 

He added, “Since I am retired, I took over the movie projects organization for building projects. There are about 15-20 volunteers working on the buildings. It is an ongoing devoted work, keeping them looking old, but not deteriorating.”

I was very pleased to hear him say, “Every cent we get goes into the project set. It helps with the ongoing required work for refurbishing and maintenance.”

Mescal is located off Highway 10 between Tucson and Benson at exit 297. (1538 N. Mescal Rd. Benson, AZ. 85602.)  

  For more information, you can contact them at:
  MescalMovieSet@gmail.com or visit their website:   www.MescalMovieSet.com or call 520-255-6662

  When you go, enjoy dressing in your cowboy hat, jeans, and boots. Who knows, you might become part of their living landscape!