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Prospectors discovered turquoise, gold, silver, and copper in the Little Hatchet Mountains in 1875.
Although the area was remote, and the threat of Apache Indian attack was very real, Hachita (Spanish for "Little Hatchet")
evolved into a town consisting of a steam smelting works, three saloons, two general stores, a post office, and the operations of several
mining companies. In 1882, Hachita had a population of about three hundred people. The major mines were the Hornet, the King, and
the American National. The Southern Pacific Railroad came within 45 miles as it was being built eastward from Tucson to El Paso.
By 1890, the ore was diminishing and what remained was no longer cost effective to mine. As operations ceased, the population dwindled to 25.  
The post office finally closed in 1898. In 1902, construction of the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad brought tracks within a few miles of Hachita. A railroad town was built to provide a water stop for the railroad and this new town took the name
Hachita. The mining town then became known as "Old Hachita".
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