I try to stay away from researching newer postcards because the sender and card recipients may still be alive. Intrusion into people’s personal lives isn’t cool, especially when those folks could possibly stumble across what I write. That’s highly impossible when they’re six feet under.
In the case of a picture postcard sent from Phoenix, Arizona, in 1986, I decided to make an exception to my policy because of two things. 1. The superb photograph on the front of this card shows Kofa Mountain and the location of a historic Arizona mine and ghost town. 2. The guy mailing the card had a creative way of breaking up with his gal, almost on the same level as a text. It seems he gave her the Kofa Kiss-Off.
This postcard was sent to Jennifer Ebanks in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Gary’s curt and blunt message to her reads as follows:
“Found new love. Not coming home or getting married. Bye. Gary”
I did enough research on Jennifer to find that she’s still alive and eventually did marry, and it was to someone named Gary. The marriage didn’t last. I won’t say any more on this subject as Kofa is the main reason for me writing this.
Kofa, Arizona, is a lesser-known historic site nestled in the heart of the desert landscape of southwestern Arizona. Though not a bustling city today, Kofa’s story is intertwined with the state’s mining heritage and the rugged environment that shaped its development.
Kofa’s name is derived from the acronym “King of Arizona,” referencing the King of Arizona Mine, which was the central feature of the settlement. The mine was established in the late 19th century, around the 1890s, during a period when gold and other minerals drew prospectors to the region.
The King of Arizona Mine was a significant gold producer and played a pivotal role in the development of the area. As word spread of the mine’s riches, a small community of miners, their families, and support businesses sprang up, forming the town of Kofa. The mine’s success led to the construction of infrastructure, including a post office and supply routes, connecting Kofa with other Arizona mining communities.
Like many mining towns of the era, Kofa’s prosperity was closely tied to the fortunes of its mine. When the gold deposits diminished and mining became less profitable, the population dwindled. By the early 20th century, Kofa was largely abandoned, leaving behind remnants of buildings, mining equipment, and a rich but fading history.
Today, Kofa is best known for its proximity to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1939 to protect desert bighorn sheep and other native species. The refuge preserves the rugged beauty of the land that once drew miners and adventurers in search of fortune.
The history of Kofa, Arizona, is a reflection of the boom-and-bust cycle typical of mining towns in the American West. Although little remains of the original settlement, its legacy endures in the stories of early prospectors and the landscape of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors to the area can still sense the echoes of its past and appreciate the role Kofa played in Arizona’s mining history.
The Kofa Mountains and the King of Arizona Mine are on my list of places to hopefully visit this summer. I won’t venture that direction alone and especially without Smith & Wesson. Known cartel members are floating around the border, and to meet up with them unprepared could be dangerous to one’s health.
I like to write junk... 