Tag forged land grant

articles, Forensic Document Examination

The Baron of Arizona: James Reavis and the 12-Million-Acre Forgery

Illustration of James Addison Reavis holding a Spanish land grant, with Arizona map behind him

James Reavis claimed 12 million acres in Arizona and New Mexico with forged Spanish land grants. Forensic document examiners exposed his fraud, leading to conviction.

Bart Baggett
October 22, 2026