SECTION THREE - Chapter 3
Buckhorn in the ASU Collections

The Buckhorn Mineral Wells are located in East Mesa , off Main Street and Recker Road . The business was established in 1939 by Ted and Alice Sliger. The following information is a chronological list of Arizona State University 's collections on the Buckhorn Mineral Wells. It includes eight sources, as well as photographs found in these sources.

Resources in the ASU Collection (2005)

Buckhorn Natural Hot Mineral Wells Motel Accommodations , Promotional Pamphlet: 1950.

This pamphlet describes the mineral wells and the curative power of the water. It promotes the Buckhorn as a place for a “happy vacation or quiet and relaxation in the sun.” It describes the accommodations and nearby conveniences like the post office, a café, and a gift shop. The rates at this time were two dollars and fifty cents for one bath, and three dollars for one massage. There are several pictures, (Ted and Alice Sliger, an aerial photograph of the hotel, people getting massages, the NY Giants, and a barbecue) that give an idea of what it was like to vacation there in the 50's. It pictures Ted and Alice with the baseball players, Bill Taylor, Marv Grissom, and Dusty Rhodes. This pamphlet also gives an analysis of the mineral water. 

Pioneer Biography, Estimated Date: 1980's.

Similar to a genealogy chart, the Pioneer Biography is about Ted Sliger's family and life. He was born on September 24 th , 1903 in Thurber , Texas . It lists his education, schools attended, and tells that he studied taxidermy after public school. It shares when and how he arrived in Arizona (i.e. “In 1923 by Model T” on Route 66 at the age of 19), where he first settled, and other places of residence. One interesting thing it tells us is what public or official positions Ted Sliger held. He was a Postmaster (Buckhorn Post Office) and a Greyhound Bus Agent (at the Buckhorn Mineral Wells). He was also a member of the Arizona Wildlife Association, the Elks Club, and was a member of Mesa and Phoenix Chambers of Commerce. It tells about his wife and children as well. His wife, Alice Sliger, was a school teacher, and he had two children—Marilyn and Theodore. This is a pioneer biography, which means it was written by Ted Sliger himself. He gives a short narrative at the end called “My Outstanding Experience in Arizona ”. In this, he tells us what he considers to be his three main accomplishments: 1) That he was a homesteader, 2) His wildlife museum created from being a taxidermist, and 3) The discovering of the hot water well in 1939 that allowed him and his wife to have a thriving business. 

Arline, Kenneth. “He's in Hot Water—And Loves it.” The Phoenix Gazette . 6 May   1977: A-26, 27.

“Some people get rich from oil wells. Ted Sliger found a fortune in hot water. And if you ask him how, he will tell you it was destiny.” Kenneth Arline gives a personal account from Ted Sliger and looks into how the Buckhorn Mineral Wells became Ted's destiny. He talks about Ted's relationship with his father, Newton Sliger and the first place they lived. He quotes Ted, who says “Dad and I bought the 24x24 foot building that was on the property and we rented the land.” Most of the articles do not mention that Ted Sliger never owned the first 160 acres he lived on, he rented it. Ted got married in 1935 and they lived on that same land that he and his father rented. On Christmas Eve of 1935, a fire started and burned down the structures on the property. Although they were discouraged, Ted and Alice decided to move on to “Bigger and Better”, a slogan they had adopted. They wanted to buy five acres of the land that they were on, but the landowner would not sell it to them. The landowner later sold all 160 acres of his land for less than Ted had offered for 5 acres of that same land. This is why Ted believes it was his destiny to own the Buckhorn Mineral Wells. 

Carey, Susan. “The Baths at Buckhorn.” The Arizona Republic . 19 March 1978. K1 &K4.

Carey describes her personal encounter with the Buckhorn Baths and uses a very poetic style of writing rather than just stating the facts. She treats it as a place waiting to be discovered and lets the audience in on her discoveries through very descriptive details. This article is written in informal language; it is like listening to a friend tell about her entertaining experience there. It starts with some interesting history about wells that were dug by Darius I, the Emperor of Persia, nearly 2,500 years ago. After that, she shares some history of the Buckhorn Mineral wells. She starts a tour of the Buckhorn baths by meeting Ted and Alice Sliger at the door. They are encircled by people who tell of their firsthand experiences at the baths and their belief in the healing properties of the water. She is then led to the wildlife museum where she runs into a full-size stuffed buffalo named “Old Renegade.” Shortly thereafter, Carey heads to the baths where she explains in full detail her impressions and experiences.  “Wrapped in a sheet, I reemerged and was escorted to one of the 27 private bath cubicles. Although the bath house is an old building… Clara insisted that everything was sanitized before use (I believed her)… The water was quite hot at first, but by using the rope hanging overhead I was able to pull myself out, then dip back in at intervals.” After her bath, Carey takes a shower, and then receives a Swedish massage. She calls the Buckhorn a perfect place for a “snowbird”, but includes a quote from Alice Sliger who says that “Lots of business people come for the relaxing benefits of the bath” as well. Susan Carey contrasts the Buckhorn Baths with the bathhouses of ancient Roman times, saying that the two bear no resemblance to each other. Instead, the Buckhorn baths offer “old-time Arizona charm.” She is very positive about her experience there. Susan Carey produces an attractive article for people who either have or have not been to the Buckhorn Mineral Baths.

Buckhorn Natural Hot Mineral Wells , Informational Pamphlet: Estimated Date: 1980s.

Information about Arizona 's weather, hours of operation for the Buckhorn Mineral Wells, and an analysis of the water and its benefits are found in this pamphlet. It promotes the bathhouse facilities, with 27 whirlpool baths and 9 massage rooms. It gives information about Ted and Alice Sliger and the history of the baths. It tells how they were started and their uses.  Lastly, it shares directions on how to get to the Buckhorn Baths.

“Theodore ‘Ted' W. Sliger.” The Arizona Republic . 11 Nov. 1984: F11

An obituary for Ted Sliger was found in the Arizona Republic . This obituary gives information about Ted Sliger's life that is not found in any of the other articles or pamphlets. When he moved to Mesa from Texas in the mid-1920s, he rented 160 acres of land where he ran a gas station, taxidermy shop and museum. In 1935, a fire destroyed all of his property. Ted and Alice Sliger bought 10 acres of land in east Mesa shortly after that. They named it “Buckhorn” after the head of a buck bighorn sheep, which was the only thing that was saved from the fire. They owned a gas station and a store where fishermen and hunters would come. This obituary goes on to describe how the Sliger's came upon their hot springs by drilling a well in 1939. It also describes the success of the Buckhorn Mineral Wells. Basic information about his full name and family is also available.

Webb, Dewey. “The Long Hot Simmer.” New Times . 11-17 December 1991: pages 26-27, 30 & 32.

This article is written in informal language. The article opens with “If Roy Rogers and Dale Evans had run Alfred Hitchcock's Bates Motel, it might have looked pretty much like the east Mesa landmark known as the Buckhorn Baths.” The author, Dewey Webb, places clever analogies and jokes throughout the article. He is very descriptive of the space itself, allowing those who have never been to the Buckhorn to have a glimpse of what it is like. The pictures are a visual tour, showing things like one of the baths, the wildlife museum, the metate wall that goes around the perimeter, and the outside of one of the casitas. Webb covers everything about the Buckhorn Baths. He gives characteristics of the space and talks about the wildlife museum. He shares information on the bathhouse, the gardens and the location of the hotel. He also tells of its history, the mineral water of the baths, Ted and Alice Sliger, and the NY Giants. Webb shares quotes from Alice Sliger, who says “I like to think we're offering people ‘old world charm'.” He creates a descriptive, interesting and accurate picture of the Buckhorn Baths, with a little humor sprinkled in between.

Avery, Norton Louis. Photograph: Buckhorn Hot Mineral Wells Postcards.   Estimated Date: 1940s.

(See postcards on the following illustration page)

Each source listed above gives diverse information about the Buckhorn Mineral Wells. There are articles written in formal language, pamphlets filled with facts about the Buckhorn Mineral Wells, promotional pamphlets and informal articles that give us a sense of what it is like to be there. It is good for a quick reference of information on the Buckhorn Mineral Wells, and if more information is needed, it can be found by further looking into each source.