Arizona Ghost Towns
Jerome, Vulture City, Chloride, and of course Tombstone are among the top Arizona "ghost towns" to visit in October, or really any part of the year. While you're exploring, you'll discover mines, historic post offices, mine shafts, spooky old "hanging trees", historical artifacts, and local artists paying homage to these unique and fascinating historical relics.
In 1876, rich copper deposits drew prospectors to the town that became Jerome. By the beginning of the twentieth century, after a false start or two, the United Verde mine in Jerome was producing more copper than anywhere else in the Arizona Territory. The Mansion in Jerome includes a "wine cellar, billiard room, marble shower, steam heat, and, much ahead of its time, a central vacuum system."One of the town's notable citizens even traveled to England as an ambassador to the court of St. James.
Before the town was named for him, Henry Wickenburg, a gold prospector, established the Vulture Mine in 1863. Near the mine, a small town named Vulture City emerged. In it's heyday, the town boasted thousands of residents, a brothel, mess hall, post office and several saloons. Today, Vulture City invites guests for stargazing, educational tours, paranormal performances and pumpkin carving. The venue also hosts special events.
Arizona's oldest continually operating post office is located in the town of Chloride. In 1862, silver was discovered in the area. Over 75 area mines delivered silver by railroad to Kingman at the height of the mining boom. An antique store, some tiny shops, a restaurant and the Jim Fritz Museum operated by the Chloride Historical Society welcome visitors to modern Chloride.
Known for the infamous gun fight between Wyatt Erp and Doc Holliday, Tombstone, Arizona is now a state park. Discover a museum with antiques and artifacts, take a tour of the Bird Cage Theater, and stop by the cemetery to pay your respects when you ride through Tombstone this fall.
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