Elizabeth Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio filmed at this Arizona movie set. Now you can visit

Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic
Updated ·3 min read

The Mescal Movie Set in southern Arizona has seen a lot over its 70-year history, which began with scenes shot there for "Winchester 73" starring Jimmy Stewart.

After a town set was built in 1968 and 1969 for the movie “Monte Walsh,” which starred Lee Marvin and Jack Palance, it became an even more popular place to film movies and TV series. “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “Little House on the Prairie" were shot against the backdrop of the iconic Western landscape.

Other big Hollywood names to have stepped onto the Mescal Movie Set include Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Glenn Ford, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The 28 buildings on 70 acres of land in cattle country with mountain backdrops, scenic vistas and stunning sunsets was owned by Old Tucson Studios but fell into disrepair. The set was scheduled to be demolished if no buyer came through.

A buyer stepped up in 2021 and is now giving the set some much-needed restoration in hopes of bringing the film industry back to southern Arizona.

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Who owns Mescal Movie Set?

The Mescal Movie Set is owned by Kartchner Ventures, which is owned and operated by the Kartchner family, a fifth-generation ranching family from Cochise County, Arizona. Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson also gets its name from this family.

The Kartchners weren’t planning on being in the movie business but felt the set had significant history worth preserving.

Where is the Mescal Movie Set located?

The movie set is at 1538 N. Mescal Road, Benson, Arizona.

What movies were filmed at the Mescal Movie Set?

Many films have shot scenes on the Mescal Movie Set, including:

  • “Winchester 73”

  • “The Big Country”

  • “Cimarron”

  • “Monte Walsh”

  • “Dirty Dingus Magee”

  • “Poker Alice”

  • “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean”

  • “The Outlaw Josey Wales”

  • “Tombstone”

  • “The Quick and the Dead”

  • “Stagecoach”

  • “The Gambler”

  • “The Sacketts”

  • “Maverick”

  • “Buffalo Soldiers”

What renovations are happening at the Mescal Movie Set?

When it first came under the ownership of the Kartchners in 2021, the set had 28 buildings that needed to be repaired.

According to AZ Family, the repairs are being completed by volunteers and funded by money from tours and special events.

They owners also hope to expand. Mark Sankey, director of marketing and media at the Mescal Movie Set, told AZ Family that they hope to add blacksmith shops, barns, houses and commercial buildings, as well as turning the one main street into three streets with alleys in between.

Four movies had been lined up to film there this fall, but due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, that number is down to two.

Can you visit the Mescal Movie Set?

The Mescal Movie Set will offer sunset historical tours at 5:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sept. 16. The sunset tour is $15 per person; kids 10 and under can join for free. To make a reservation or check for October sunset tour dates, go to MescalMovieSet.com.

Daytime historical tours are available on Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Tours cost $15 per person, free for kids, and last an hour.

A ghost hunt is planned for 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. The Tucson Ghost Company will provide equipment including ghost meters, cell sensors, rad detectors, thermostats and dosing rods so you can try to communicate with the spirits.

The cost is $45 per person. Participants must be 14 or older; anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult. A waiver must be signed prior to the ghost hunt. Wear hiking or walking shoes (no open-toe shoes) and bring a flashlight, warm clothing and water. Reserve your spot on Mescal's website.

Details: 520-255-6662, mescalmovieset.com.

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to visit Mescal Movie Set: Location, tickets and history