Fifty thousand years ago, a giant fireball streaked across the North American sky.

It struck earth in what is now northern Arizona USA, exploding with the force of 2.5 million tons of TNT.

The Barringer Crater Company is a family-owned enterprise dedicated to the preservation of the Barringer Meteorite Crater and to furthering the understanding of the science of meteoritics.

Daniel Moreau Barringer, the company's founder, was the first to identify the Crater, located near Flagstaff, Arizona, as a meteorite impact site. He founded the company more than 100 years ago, and his descendants own and operate the company as a privately held business, with each of the eight branches of his family — most now in the fourth generation — represented on the board of directors.

Recognizing that the Crater is a unique natural landmark of great scientific importance, strong public interest, and significant educational value, it is the company's long-held policy to maintain the property in as nearly a natural state as possible and to ensure appropriate access by the public. The company has a longstanding commitment to making the Crater available to the scientific community for ongoing research and field study.

Purpose

The fundamental purpose of the company is to preserve and promote The Barringer Meteorite Crater for scientific research, education and the inspiration of the public.

We are committed to making the Crater available to the public, the scientific community, and future generations.