- published: 19 Feb 2016
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Sasco is a smelting ghost town in Pinal County, Arizona, west of Red Rock. Sasco, which is an acronym for the Southern Arizona Smelter Company, was a company town for the smelter, which served the Silverbell mines. Sasco's post office was established July 10, 1907 and was discontinued September 15, 1919. At its peak about 600 people lived here. Remaining structures include the impressive shell of the Rockland Hotel, extensive foundations for the smelter, and the old cemetery.
In April 1919, a man named Charlie Coleman was shot and killed in Sasco by a saloon owner known only as Mr. Wilson. Coleman came to town from Bisbee with the intention of killing two Sasco residents. The two unknown men had sexual relations with Coleman's wife so he sought revenge. After announcing his intention of murder, Mr. Wilson asked Coleman to leave and avoid trouble. Coleman refused to leave as he was in the process of creating a trap for his two potential victims. Mr. Wilson responded by arming himself with his 30-30 rifle which he then used. Coleman was shot dead. The town became a ghost soon after.