About Teskey Home Site
The Teskey Home Site is a small homestead located along Big Bug Creek in the northern part of the Agua Fria National Monument. Visitors can explore the chimney remnants and a stone foundation. The quiet creekside setting offers a chance to enjoy desert wildlife and reflect on pioneer life.Settled by Cornelius “Colonel” H. Teskey in 1940, the site remained home to his family until 1948. Colonel Teskey and his wife Phoebe farmed hay, grain, and pinto beans, tended livestock, and relied on early irrigation systems. Though the house lacked electricity or plumbing, it featured an innovative evaporative cooler and simple hand-dug well. The site reflects the resourcefulness and self-reliance of mid-20th-century homesteaders in Arizona.Hours and SeasonsOpen year-round. No restrictions. Best visited in spring and fall when temperatures are milder.Features and ServicesAccess and Parking: An unpaved road leads to a small pull-off. Cell Service: Limited to none.Toilets: None.Drinking Water: None.Pets: Allowed on leash; please pick up after your pet.Camping: Primitive, dispersed camping is permitted on nearby BLM lands; check local regulations for fire and camping guidelines.Nearby Amenities: Mayer and Cordes Junction, about 10–15 miles away, offer food, fuel, lodging, and medical care.Respect and ProtectHistoric and archaeological sites are protected by law. Please leave artifacts where you find them and do not climb on walls or structures. By practicing responsible outdoor ethics, you help ensure future visitors can enjoy this remarkable site. History of the Teskey Home Site History of the Teskey Home SiteHomestead BeginningsCornelius “Colonel” H. Teskey came to Arizona from Wyoming in 1925. His nickname, “Colonel,” stuck because it was easier to say than Cornelius. In 1940, he built a small home on this site for his wife Phoebe and their baby daughter, Trudy. The house was later enlarged to make room for two sons, Bert and Fred, and Colonel’s mother, Emma.Here the Teskey fami
