The 5013c non-profit Pimeria Alta Historical Society was formed in 1948, when a group of 28 concerned citizens got together to preserve the rich and exciting history of the area. Since its inauguration, the mayor, and city council of Nogales have supported the Society; turning over the first floor and basement of the Old City Hall to Pimeria Alta for use as a museum in 1980.  ​

The Museum provides information on the history of the Pimeria Alta region and welcomes visitors to the Arizona-Sonora border. 

Visitors can view rotating historical displays of the region, enjoy three rare murals by renowned bull fighter and artist Salvador Corona, and tour the old jail cells. Also on display is the hand drawn and operated pumper fire truck known as, “Able and Willing” and an extensive photography display on Camp Little, home of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Our collections include 1000s of original photographs, documents, objects, and oral history recordings. Though physical research is limited due to space and staffing, digital access for some archival materials is currently a work in progress thanks to a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Please check out our online collections from the Home page. We also host the archeological materials from the Nogales Wash Site along with an extensive physical collection of local newspapers including the Nogales International, Border Vidette, Oasis, and Nogales Daily Herald.

A behind the scenes look at the old Nogales City Hall

Master Horologists Galen and Tim Gudenkauf temporarily restored the Seth Thomas clock in the 1914 Old Nogales City Hall Building located in Historic Downtown Nogales, Arizona.