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Bisbee - SE Desert
"Queen of the Mining Camps"
The brawling mining days of the 1880's blend with the modern city of today.
Famous underground Queen Mine tours, Brewery Gulch, Copper Queen Hotel and
Lavender Pit are some of the HoT SpoT places to see.
Charleston - SE Desert
"In it's heyday, tougher than Tombstone"
Used a training site by the US Army during WWII for house to house combat
which caused many of the buildings to be destroyed. Some adobe ruins
remain.
Cochran - Superstitions
"Once the site of a railroad depot"
A few buildings remain. Coke ovens directly across the river. Pick-up or
high clearance vehicle recommended.
Contention City - SE Desert
"A mill town where ore from Tombstone was processed"
Congress - Central
"Site of Congress Gold Mine"
Ruins of old cabins and flats, old cemetery is well maintained.
Courtland - SE Desert
"Mining Camp named for Courtland Young"
Courtland Young was a mining engineer ... The town's single resident doesn't
encourage visitors.
Dos Cabezas - SE Desert
"Wells Fargo Station in 1885"
Formerly an active supply center for mines and cattle ranches in the
surrounding area. Adobe ruins and stage station.
Duquesne - SE Desert
"Former Mining Center"
Established around the turn of the century, this town had peak population
of 1,000 residents including Westinghouse (Westinghouse Electric) who lived
here while removing more than $4,000,000 in ore from his nearby mine.
This site is on private property, is posted & is not open to the public. Only one tour company High Desert Adventures has authorization to visit & explore this site which includes the Westinghouse "mansion" ruins and a small Mexican cemetery tucked in a clearing near the border.
Ehrenberg - Colorado River
"Now a Growing Community"
Named for Herman Ehrenberg, a surveyor of the area, killed at Dos Palmas,
Ca in 1886. Old adobe ruins and a cemetery.
Gleeson - SE Desert
"John Gleeson prospected the area in 1880's"
Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, Indians were mining turquoise
near the present site of Gleeson. Tiffany's mined the blue gem while other
interests mined copper, lead and zinc.
Picturesque ruins and cemetery.
Goldfield - Superstitions
"Mining town in the mid 1890's"
Now in the midst of a thriving community.
Four of the original mine shafts, stopes, and timbers can be seen. A HoT
SpoT destination.
Goldroad - Colorado River
"Gold Discovered in 1864"
First discovered by John Moss and party, in 1902 a new strike was made by
Joe Jerez. In 1949, most of the remaining mining operations were razed to
escape taxes. Now mostly diggings, minor ruins.
Harrisburg - Colorado River
"First Town In This Part of the Desert"
The town was started by Capt. Charles Harris on the site of the old
centennial state station. Gold was discovered near the town site by Bill
Bear around 1886.
Harshaw - SE Desert
"Settled about 1875"
This place soon boasted a newspaper, "The Bullion," saloons, numerous
stores, with 100 working mines nearby. Only one building remains here and it is on private property but is
visible from the road.
Hilltop - SE Desert
"Mine Established by Frank & John Hands"
Town was first started on the west side of the mountain, then a tunnel was
put through to the east side where an even larger town was established.
Today, it is a ghost town.
Jerome - Central
"Famous Copper Camp Established in 1876"
The town hit a peak population of 15,000 about 1929 and its main mine
produced $500,000,000 in ore before closing in 1952. The population has
re-grown to about 400 making Jerome classified as a "restored mining town."
Many picturesque buildings and ruins, museum, other points of interest. A
HoT SpoT destination.
KOFA - Colorado River
"King of Arizona Mine"
The rich gold mine was discovered in 1896 by Charles Eichelberger. During
its 13 years of prime activity, official records credit the King with
production of around $14,000,000. Ruins.
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La Paz - Colorado River
"Flourished as a gold center and river port"
Between 1862-1873 the town had over 5,000 residents. The central portion
of the town is being reconstructed. Restored buildings.
McCabe - Central
"Mining & Milling Town"
Dating from the late 19th century. Remains of old cabins, cemetery, ruins
of large mill.
McMillen - Superstitions
"Stonewall Jackson Mine"
The mine was discovered in 1876 and is believed to have produced close to
$3,000,000. Ruins.
Mineral Park - Colorado River/Route 66
"Near Duval Copper Mine"
Was one of the county's important early towns and county seat from
1877-1887. The town is still populated.
Mowry - SE Desert
"Mine purchased in 1850's by Sylvester Mowry"
The small town grew up around the silver, lead, zinc mine US Army Lt Mowry
purchased. The operations were cut short in 1862 when Lt. Mowry was
charged with supplying lead for Confederate bullets. He was jailed at Fort
Yuma and his mine was confiscated by Uncle Sam. Some great
panoramic views from the mine which is offered as part of the "Patagonia Mountains Tour" offered by High Desert Adventures.
Oatman - Colorado River/Route 66
"Gold Mining Town"
The town was active from 1900-1942. Some small places of business operated
by a hardy group of "never say die" residents. Many picturesque ruins. A
HoT SpoT destination.
Oro Blanco - SE Desert
"$1,130,000 in Gold"
Between 1873-1932 more than a million dollars in gold was taken from this
location. Adobe ruins.
Paradise - SE Desert
"Briefly Active Mining Town"
Dating from the early 1900's, Paradise is still "home" to a few old-timers
who gladly point out the old town jail and ruins of various businesses.
Part of the town privately owned. Buildings and ruins. A HoT SpoT
destination.
Pearce - SE Desert
"Old Gold Camp"
This camp once had a population of 2,000 - all well supported by the
Commonwealth Mine. The mine was discovered in 1894 by Johnny Pearce and in
its prime, was the richest gold digging in southern Arizona. Adobe, mine
and mill ruins. A HoT SpoT destination.
Signal - Colorado River
"Milling Town in 1870's"
Milled ore from McCrackin and Signal Mines. In its heyday, had storesshops,
saloons and a brewery. Prosperous for many years. Mill ruins, one old
saloon and cemetery.
Stanton - Central
"Named for Charles B Stanton"
Mr Stanton kept a store and stage station and was postmaster in 1875.
Later the town was an active mining camp. Remaining buildings all in
fair/Good condition. All are privately owned.
Tombstone - SE Desert
"The Town Too Tough To Die"
One of the old west's most famous towns. Silver was king. Most of the
town's notorious landmarks remain: OK Corral, Boot Hill, Tombstone Epitaph.
HoT SpoT destination.
Tiger - Central
"Tiger Mine Discovered about 1870"
It was said to have been the first silver mine of importance found in
northern Arizona. Only foundations remain. Located on private land.
Walker - Central
"Named for Capt. Joseph Walker"
Capt Walker led a gold expedition into the area in 1863. As a result of
his success, Walker came into being. The town has a few winter residents
and many summer residents.
Weaver or Weaverville - Central
"Named After Pauline Weaver"
Pauline was a guide and the party he led accidentally discovered a rich
gold find. When the gold was exhausted, the town was a hide-out for
thieves and murderers. After 30 years of lawlessness the gangs were driven
out and Weaver became a ghost town. Little remains except mine trails.
White Hills - Colorado River/Route 66
"Rowdiest Silver Camp"
In a brief six years, the 15 mines which surrounded the town gave up
$12,000,000 in silver bullion. Mostly old diggings.
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Touring Arizona's ghost towns is an excellent way to step back into the
bygone days of the Old West. With more than 30 ghost towns throughout the
state, Arizona offers an opportunity to visit areas which formed the
southwest as we know it today. Once you begin to slow down from the hectic
pace of contemporary life, you start to feel more and more at home among
the memories of an earlier time.