Ghost Towns

Alexandra's post office was established Aug 6, 1878 and discontinued March 25, 1896. Alexandra was named after the first lady visitor to the site, Mrs. T.M. Alexander, the wife of one of the ore finders. Its location high in the Bradshaw Mountains North of Phoenix made it difficult to transport ore so a ten-stamp mill was erected at the site. Alexandra's main downfall was the litigation that resulted from a feud between the four original locaters. As a result, they say the only people to ever make and money from the Peck mine (Alexandra) were the lawyers in Prescott. Today, nothing remains of the townsite that once had between 75 and 100 buildings. The gladiator fire destroyed all the buildings left at the Swastika Mine. Just below the town site are a few buildings left from the Swastika mine which is often mistaken for the town of Alexandra.

American Ranch was a stage stop on the Prescott - Ehrenburg route and h ad a large hotel for travelers.

Apron Crossing

Arizona City aka Curtiss had a post office from 1891 to 1895. Curtis was discovered in the 1880s by "Uncle" Billy Gavin and Theodore W. Boggs near the banks of Big Bug Creek. Phelps Dodge purchased the claims and constructed a smelter which began operating in 1889. The mines played out and the company closed down in 1893. Then a mine promoter fraudulently promoted the site again in 1899 and the town was renamed Arizona City. The mines were worked sporadically until 1907. Today, nothing remains.

Big Bug's post office was established March 31, 1879 and discontinued March 31, 1910. Big Bug's history is intertwined with the life of Theodore Boggs, one of the Bradshaw Mountains early prospectors. Boggs, whose mother was a granddaughter of Daniel Boone, came to California with the Donner party. Thereafter, he settled on Big Bug Creek, named for the size of the local insects. It wasn't long before the town of Big Bug was born. Mining activity continues to this day, but not much remains of the original town. Foundations are mixed in with the current residences.

Bluebell was located south west of Mayer Arizona about 2 miles north-east as the crow flies from Desoto. In 1981 one could drive the old railroad grade to Cortez on the way to Middleton and Crown King. The Bluebell mine had an aerial tram to Mayer where the rail cars were loaded for shipment to the concentrator at Humboldt. The pumps were pulled in the early 1930s as the price of copper dropped. The mine manager George Colvacorres went on to try to drill for meteor remains near Winslow. --Sandra Proudfoot

"Ruins of the old Bluebell mine and tramway are visible. Nearby copper and silver smeltery is in ruins. A few residents remain." --Andrew

Bradshaw City's post office was established July 1, 1874 and discontinued December 15, 1884. Some believe Bradshaw City eventually became the current town of Crown King, located a few miles up the road. At one time there was said to be over 5000 people living in Bradshaw City. The Tiger silver mine was the mainstay of Bradshaw City, and was one of the most productive mines in the area. Harsh conditions in the area prevented miners from working the winter season, and the mine was closed for the year more than once after men fell to their deaths while being lowered into the mine by a drunk hoist operator. Bradshaw city had stores, saloons, restaurants, and even two hotels. Today nothing remains but a forest service sign.

William D. Bradshaw founded Bradshaw City as a mining camp in 1863 after prospectors working on the northwest slope of Mount Wasson discovered gold. The camp began as a loose collection of tents which were soon replaced with hundreds of buildings including dance halls, restaurants, saloons, and hotels as the population inflated to around 5000 people. The town supported the Tiger Mine, situated a short distance from the "Central #26: Crown King Back-road" which serviced the area at the time.

By the end of 1871, miners and prospectors began to move away from Tiger Mine to find work elsewhere. By the 1880s the Tiger mine had played out and Bradshaw city faded. Today, a few foundations and a forest service sign mark the spot where Bradshaw City once stood.

One of the earliest towns in the Bradshaws is Bradshaw City. Both were named in honor of William Bradshaw, who came to Arizona in 1863. Bradshaw City was primarily a supply town for the nearby Tiger Mine. Eventually there were saloons, restaurants, two hotels and a peak population of 5,000 people. Saddle trains traveled between Bradshaw City and Prescott weekly. A post office was established in 1874 but only lasted ten years. Although nothing remains of the community, the cemetery is still accessible.

Briggs. In 1890 a Colorado company tried to reopen the [Kirby] mines, and Briggs sprang up only to succumb to the same fate as Kirby.

Brooklyn Basin. Not much is known about the Brooklyn Basin Mine other than it was started in 1907 and worked sporadically up until 1970.

Bueno held the district's post office from 1881 to 1893 when it was transferred to Goodwin. Over $1,000,000 was put into Bueno from investors but nothing resulted. No productive mine ever was found. There is little known about Indian attacks at Bueno and nearby Battle Flat in its early years.

Bumble Bee located in the Bradshaw Mountains, was originally known as Snyder's Station. It was once a flourishing stage stop on the Prescott-Phoenix stage line, named after W. W. Snyder, who first settled the area in 1863. Bumble Bee's post office was established February 3, 1879, and has not been discontinued.

Camp Date Creek was a small post whose purpose was to guard the road between Prescott and Ehrenburg between 1868 and 1874. There were two companies of the 14th infantry stationed here and rumor has it they spent more time fixing the buildings than chasing Indians. They also prospected in their spare time and were instrumental in starting the Martinez district.

Camp Hualpai was first known as Camp Tollgate. It was established on the toll road named for William Hardy. In 1870 the military took it over to protect the road from Indian attacks. The post office was established in 1882 and closed in 1883. When the military left the site became known as Juniper under which a new post office was established.

Canyon aka Goddard, which was a stage stop on the Phoenix to Prescott Black Canyon Stage route. It had a post office from 1894-__. Today it is on private property across from the auto junkyard in Black Canyon City.

Cash Camp near Senator, aka Maxton, was a camp neighboring Stormcloud. Cash Camp supported a mill that ran ore from mines in the area.

Castle Hot Springs. In 1865 Col. Charles Craig, commander or troops at Prescott's Fort Whipple, pursued a group of Indians that has just raided nearby mining camps. This pursuit ended when the troops defeated the Indians and stopped to rest at what is now known as Salvation Peak. The surrounding peaks resembled castles and a creek at the bottom prompted the men to name the area Castle Creek. After finding the elusive "magic waters," or hot springs, of the Apache's, they named the area Castle Hot Springs. Four hundred thousand gallons a day fill the 3 natural pools. In 1896 the first "resort" opened here listing a long list of ailments the hot springs would cure. Many more buildings were completed between 1900 and 1905. The famous "Palm House" burned down in a fire that happened December, 1976. During the 1920s and 30s many famous people visited the resort often enough to have their own Bungalows built. These families include the Wrigleys, Vanderbilts, Weinberg's, Rockefellers and even Zane Grey. During this time the resort installed the first telephone in Arizona and its number was "1". During WWII the resort was used for troop rehabilitation. Over the next 30 years the resort continued to operate until a devastating fire in 1976. Since then, only a caretaker remains and the resort has changed hands many times. Much remains including the main house, the employee house, the movie theatre, swimming pool (supposedly the largest free form pool in the world), golf course and more.

Catoctin's post office was established December 29, 1902 and discontinued July 15, 1920. Discovered in 1884 by Frank Alters, Catoctin never amounted to much. It was named after Alter's Pennsylvania home, the town reported a population of 20 in 1914.

Chaparral's post office was established May 24, 1894 and was discontinued December 31, 1917. There were about twenty businesses lining the streets in Chaparral all under the control of Sheriff Mike Enright. Chaparral owed its existence to the Little Jessie and McCabe mines nearby. The rise of McCabe saw the fall of Chaparral and the post office finally closed in 1917. Today, nothing remains but rubble and the occasional hole in the ground.

Charmingdale was named by one Samuel C. Rodgers, who was enamored of the site, where he established a blacksmith shop and a wagon-repair facility. The family became known as the "Charmingdale Rodgers" due to their association with site.

Cherry's post office was established March 3, 1884 and discontinued March 15, 1943. At one time 6 mills were in operation to serve the over 40 mines in the vicinity of Cherry. There were over 400 residents to serve the mines. Cherry had its beginning in the early 1860s and had a town of about 100 until the mines played out in 1879. Then, Cherry lived on as a stage stop until the Jerome bonanza.

Cleator's post office was established March 21, 1903, and discontinued July 15, 1954. Cleator, originally named Turkey, after nearby Turkey Creek, found its existence from being a railroad station.

Clemenceau was the site of the smelter for the United Verde Extension mine serving Jerome. The town was named in honor of the French Premier in World War I, Georges Clemenceau. Today, Clemenceau is now part of Clarkdale.

Columbia's post office was established on September 25, 1894 and discontinued July 31, 1915. A mining camp of about 100 people, Columbia had a post office, general store, meat market, blacksmith, shoemaker, carpenter, and justice of the peace. Total production was only abut $50,000. Today there is a mine that is still working in the area and a caretaker at the site.

Congress' post office was established January 19, 1889 and discontinued August 31, 1928. The gold mine that boomed this town was discovered by Dennis May on March 25, 1884. There were two sections to Congress, "Mill town", and "Lower town," the later of which contained the residences and general businesses. Congress even had its own electric light plant. But, as with most towns of this age, water was scarce. After the mines petered out the town lived on as a railroad station only to become what today is known as Congress Junction. Many structures are left today including the old cemetery, and Congress Junction can be found on any state map.

Congress is located on the junction between SR 71 and SR 89 and the town was divided in two: "Mill Town" and "Lower Town." "Mill Town" was close to the mines and there were company's offices, one hospital and residences. "Lower Town" was longer to the south and there was shopping area with restaurants, shops and saloon, two churches and one school. The only thing what is left from Lower Town now, is the cemetery. Congress become to live after Dennis May found gold in 1884. Mine was sold in 1887 and again in 1894, when flourishing period began. Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railroad passed 3 miles from the town in 1893. The station known as Congress Junction, give this little community live and the town become own post office. In 1899 was Congress Consolidated Railroad finished between the mine and the Congress Junction. Congress was a growing mine town and the rich Congress mine employed more than 400 men. In the middle of 190_, the mine was empty. Post office opened on January 19, 1889 and closed in August 1938. The mail for Congress was in future sent to post office in Congress Junction, starting on November 1, 1938. The Railroad Company build their own Congress, which exist today. The earlier Congress Junction become ghost town and Congress followed the same destiny as many other towns in Arizona.

Congress Junction's post office was named Martinez. The nearby Congress mine was large enough to warrant building a railroad to the site but it actually wound up about three miles away. It was here that Congress Junction flourished. There was a string of hotels, stores, saloons, feed stores, and much more. From 1903 to 1905 Congress Junction had its own newspaper, the News-Herald. After the Congress mine was closed, the population of Congress Junction dwindled to about 200. Congress Junction is right on U.S. 89 today.

Constellation was supposed to be the center of the Black Rock mining district. Established in 1901, the town went on to have a half dozen buildings consisting of a two-story saloon, gambling den, dance hall, store, and a saloon. Author Frank Crampton, Deep Enough, lived here before 1910 and wrote of his experiences. The actual town of Constellation is gone but the mines the Monte Cristo, Gold bar, and Black Rock still stand with associated rubble and buildings.

Copper Basin was discovered in 1864. The Phelps Dodge company acquired it in 1887. Thereafter, a smelter was built and a complex leaching plant followed. The town was known for its orderliness. Residents were strictly disciplined to be social and civilized and gambling, drunkenness and prostitutes were not allowed. The ore proved to be low grade and the smelter was closed in 1893. Nothing remains.

Copperopolis. Copper was the mainstay from the nearby Copperopolis and whipsaw mines. A 30-ton smelter was erected on Castle Creek, and a town was set up to serve the forty workers. The ores proved to be low grade and by 1884 the town was silent.

Cordes had its own post office from 1866 to 1944. It was a small ranching community.

Cox. Dosoris Cox discovered the mine in 1881 and named it for his boyhood home. Over $500,000 was produced in silver and a stage line began running to Prescott. A post office was opened in July 1883. A 30-burro pack train hauled ore to Howells and Walker. Only 100 feet below the surface the ore played out and so did Cox.

Craig was a small ranching community with a post office from 1894 to 1903.

Crook City. Two wells and a meadow mark this spot today. The Crook Mine was discovered in 1874 by Ed Johnson. Thereafter a mill and about 14 other buildings developed. Arrastras, powered by water wheels, crushed over half a million dollars in gold over a period of about ten years. Operations shifted to Venezia when Crook City was bought out by Eastern corporations. The mine was reopened in the 1930s and the Venezia mill processed the ore.

Crown King's post office was established June 29, 1888 and discontinued May 15, 1954 and has been reopened since then. The Crowned King gold mine was the mainstay of the town of Crown King. Enough ore was produced from this and surrounding mines to warrant building a railroad to Prescott to haul ore and supplies. The owners of the mine did not tolerate drunkenness in their employees so the town attracted a higher class of miner. George P. Harrington bankrolled the Crowned King mine and was liked by all. Over $2,000,000 in gold was taken from the Crowned King mine alone. Today, many summer residences remain in addition to a saloon (the original Oro Belle Saloon that was moved piece by piece to Crown King), a restaurant, and the general store.

Crown Point's history is intertwined with then governor of Arizona Territory, Alexander O. Brodie. The mines were started in the late 1890s complete with a mill and a town of about 100. Brodie left to enlist with Roosevelt's Rough Riders but funded the operation until 1905. Today, at the end of Constellation road, are tailings and what is left of one building.

Curtis aka Arizona City. Curtiss or Arizona City had a post office from 1891 to 1895. Curtis was discovered in the 1880s by "Uncle" Billy Gavin and Theodore W. Boggs near the banks of Big Bug Creek. Phelps Dodge purchased the claims and constructed a smelter which began operating in 1889. The mines played out and the company closed down in 1893. Then a mine promoter fraudulently promoted the site again in 1899 and the town was renamed Arizona City. The mines were worked sporadically until 1907. Today, nothing remains.

De Soto. The De Soto copper mine, owned by George Middleton, supported a small town with an assay office, a boardinghouse, cookhouse, blacksmith, warehouse, corral, and residences all overlooking the town of Middleton. Over 100 people lived here and the post office at Middleton served De Soto. The post office in Middleton was established May 8, 1903 and was discontinued in 1908. The company operating the De Soto went bankrupt. Then, the post office was reestablished in 1916 and was called Ocotillo. World War I brought an increased demand for copper and the total production was $3,250,000 in copper ore. The post office was again discontinued in 1925. There are still a few tramway towers left from the tram that went from the De Soto to Middleton. The bottom of the main De Soto mine is covered in water as can be seen in the picture. Air blows out of the mine year-round at almost frostbiting temperatures, even in the summer!

Del Pasco mine was the first big strike in the Bradshaw Mountains, discovered on July 4, 1870. Del Pasco quickly got its own mill and gold was being taken into Prescott. The area was so rich in gold that other mines such as the War Eagle sprang up and the Del Pasco mill produced for it also. After about 10 years excitement died down at the Del Pasco as the Tiger mine was begun. The Del Pasco was worked sporadically over the next 10 years and even to this day.

Fools Gulch. The Planet-Saturn mining company built a 75-ton capacity mill here in 1897 and there were over 140 men working at the site. The post office opened in 1898 and a town of 400 followed. When the company backer went bankrupt in 1905, the operation closed only to be opened again in 1938. Operations continued until 1942 and $1,555,000 in gold was produced the second time as compared to $100,000 the first. When the gold mines were ordered closed, this town ended. Makes one wonder if there is still any gold left.

Fort Rock. In the year 1866 Hualapai warriors attacked Buckman stage station southeast from Exit 91 on Interstate 40. Holder of stage station J. J. Buckman's son Thad, built a playhouse on the ground, and when more than 50 Hualapai Indians who were on the raid attacked the stage station, Buckman and one another man ran into the playhouse and exchanged fire for many hours with the Indians. After the Indians had lost many warriors, they finely ran away. After the attack, Buckman changed the stage station name to Fort Rock, in honor of young Thad's playhouse.

Fort Misery. Al Francis built Fort Misery as his home while he lived in the Bradshaw Mountains. Al was in charge of hauling ore from Oro Belle to Crown King. He jokingly called his home "Fort Misery" and the name stuck. Fort Misery was inhabited through the 1920s.

William "Kentuck" Bell was a civil war veteran who built a cabin and lived there until he died in his 90s. Originally the cabin had two stories. When Kentuck died, he was buried by Burro John and Al Francis on a hill across from his cabin, and they put up his grave headstone. His cabin was later occupied by others and then torn down by the Forest Service.

Fritsche was a small ranching community with a post office from 1913 to 1918.

Gilbert aka Sayers, was the halfway house between Wickenburg and Constellation. Operated by William Gilbert, and later George Sayers, the site served thirsty miners from nearby mines and travelers tired from their trips.

Gillett's post office was established October 15, 1876 and discontinued August 11, 1887. Gillett was the milling town for nearby Tip Top. Located on the Agua Fria River, Gillett had its share of lawbreaking. The town's blacksmith had a side job of robbing the Wells Fargo stage coach outside of town. He was caught when he used his proceeds in a poker game. One day a man got into a fight in a saloon and broke a bottle over another man's head. He was subsequently arrested. Later, he was released to a friendly resident who was going to sober him up. A few hours later the body of that resident was found and the town set out after that the bar fighter. The sheriff found him and put him in the custody of a local military man. The town people demanded the bar fighter be hanged and killed the military man, took the bar fighter and hung him from a tree. Gillett, being located on the Prescott to Phoenix Black Canyon Stage route continued to survive after milling for Tip Top ended. Gillett was also home to legendary Jack Swilling, whose house is not the boundary marker between Maricopa and Yavapai counties. Today only ruins of the Burfind Hotel are left.

Glen Oaks was a small ranching town near Prescott.

Goddard aka Canyon, was a stage stop on the Phoenix to Prescott Black Canyon Stage route. It had a post office from 1894-__. Today it is on private property across from the auto junkyard in Black Canyon City.

Goodwin was named after the first governor to serve Arizona territory, John N. Goodwin. It came into existence in 1882 when the Nonsuch Mining company of Philadelphia bought the Goodwin mine. A mill and smelter were erected and a stage station, hotel and store opened here as a supply center for the mines in the area for the next half a century. The senator highway divides to Crown King or Mayer at the Goodwin site and nothing remains but a sign.

Hawkins was a Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix siding The route known as the Peavine. It was probably named after one of 2 people. Either a Tim Hawkins, the person to drive the first spike on the P & AC (Prescott and Arizona Central Railroad) or a Judge John J. Hawkins who was one of the partners that founded the Bank of Arizona. Which was first established in Prescott and, was instrumental in financing the SF & PP Railroad. --Railroads of Arizona, Vol. 5, by David F. Myrick.

Haynes was a mining town which had a post office from 1908 to 1922. The town was bought and turned into a tourist attraction.

Hillside. The Hillside mine was originally discovered in 1887 and sold five years later for $400,000. The buyer never did follow through with raising the capital to turn it into a big operation, and after a few years the site reverted back to the original owner, John Lawler. In the 1930s a full-scale operation was underway and over $1,000,000 was produced. Later, Tungsten and Uranium were discovered at the mine and the machinery that is currently there dates from this operation.

Hooper aka Meesville.

Howells. John Howell, a metallurgist, built a large smelting works at this site including a two-stack smelter, quartz mill, and sawmill. A town of 200 developed and supported an assay office, blacksmith, boarding house, stage station, saloons, and a company store. One of the stores was run by Henry Goldwater, Barry Goldwater uncle. After operating for about a year and producing $173,825 of silver lead, the site shut down due to the high cost of hauling coke in from the railroad. Today only foundations mark the site. A post office was at the site from 1883 to 1893.

Humboldt aka Val Verde. Humboldt's name came from the German explorer Baron Alexander Von Humboldt. The Arizona Smelting Co. built their plant in 1906 and named it such, but there was much activity in the area before then. Val Verde was an example. Val Verde had a post office from 1899 - 1905 and was entirely absorbed by Humboldt. By 1907 Humboldt had over 1000 people and two daily trains. The smelter produced over $17,325,000 in copper and lead, most from the De Soto mine and Blue Bell in the Bradshaw Mountains. Shortly, the operation was shut down as the ore ran out, but Humboldt had a second wind in 1934 when just outside of main street a vein was discovered, the Iron King. $100,000,000 was taken from the Iron King and the mine finally shut down in 1968. Most of the old historic buildings still remain at Humboldt today.

Humbug, along with nearby Columbia, came into existence during the early 1870s as placer gold was found in Humbug Creek. A mill was constructed and the town operated until the turn of the century. A caretaker resided at the mine for years and then production started again. The town thrived and the mine was extensively worked until the early 1930s. I had the opportunity to interview Warner Watkins, who had worked at Humbug in its later years. He told of what life was like when he had to drive to Wickenburg every night to get milk for the town, or how the miners would walk to Crown King (about 20 miles uphill) every weekend to go to the saloon. Today many buildings remain and have even been renovated, and there usually is a caretaker.

Huron was the exit station for the McCabe and Chaparral towns on the Prescott and Eastern Railroads. The town only had 50 residents and consisted of a hotel, saloon, store, and a post office which opened in 1901. Huron vanished when the McCabe and Chaparral mines played out and today there is nothing left.

Iron King's post office first opened under the name Blanchard in 1903. The name was changed to Iron King in 1907 and closed in 1912.

Jerome Junction. Jerome always gets the glory but Jerome Junction deserves some also as it served as a railroad stop between Prescott and Jerome. Established in 1894, Jerome Junction served the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix railroad for 15 years. The railroad was built precariously on the side of Woodchute mountain and once went over the side. Miraculously, the engineer survived. When the Santa Fe railroad was built into Clarksdale, the train made its last run and Jerome Junction became a ghost town.

Jerome Junction, Arizona served two railroads, not just one. The first was the Santa Fe, Prescott, & Phoenix (which is a Standard Gauge railroad (Rails spaced 4-ft 8.5-in apart) running a roughly North-South direction and was later absorbed into the larger Santa Fe RR. The other railroad Jerome Junction served was the Narrow Gauge (Rails spaced 3 feet apart) United Verde & Pacific which ran in an easterly direction toward Jerome, AZ. The line was just over 26 miles long and the use of narrow-gauge track, locomotives and rolling stock was not only cheaper, but the equipment was smaller and was the only practical way of getting a railroad into Jerome, AZ. The UV&P was known for its incredibly sharp curves and steep grades as it traversed the jagged and serrated topography of Woodchute Mountain.

Juniper aka Camp Hualpai-Juniper. Camp Hualpai was first known as Camp Tollgate. It was established on the toll road named for William Hardy. In 1870 the military took it over to protect the road from Indian attacks. The post office was established in 1882 and closed in 1883. When the military left the site became known as Juniper under which a new post office was established.

Jersey Lily was named after a famous British actress, Lily Langtry. Jersey Lily was owned by British investors. A post office was open for a few years but only $7000 in gold was ever taken from the mine. Today, nothing remains.

Kirby's post office was opened in 1883 and ran for about a year before being discontinued. Copper was the mainstay from the nearby Copperopolis and whipsaw mines. A 30-ton smelter was erected on Castle Creek and a town was set up to serve the forty workers. The ores proved to be low grade and by 1884 the town was silent. Then in 1890 a Colorado company tried to reopen the mines, and Briggs sprang up only to succumb to the same fate as Kirby. A town in this location just wasn't meant to be.

Martinez had a post office in the 1890s and was a mining community in the Date Creek Mountains.

Massicks was the site of much hydraulic placer mining. Miners would wash gravel with big water hoses and sluicers would take the gold out. In 1890, Thomas G. Barlow-Massicks was sent to the site to superintend construction of a dam and new equipment at a cost of over $100,000. Barlow constructed a three-story mansion for himself and the rest of the town had the usual. Barlow-Massicks accidentally died in 1899 when his pistol fell from its holster and accidentally discharged into his back. The site was worked into the 1930s with giant dredges and today the Arizona Parks System owns the mansion.

McCabe's post office was established December 31, 1897, and was discontinued October 31, 1917. All that is left today at McCabe is some mining equipment and the cemetery with headstones still readable. Approximately 600 people lived here and McCabe even had a six-bed hospital. McCabe was plagued with bad luck. First, there were several fires, one of which burned 14 buildings on July 5,1900. Then, a small pox epidemic in 1901 necessitated a quarantine barrier. 1913 marked the closing of the mine and the town slowly died. McCabe was one of the few towns to actually have a telephone line running to Prescott.

Meesville aka Hooper. Meesville got is name from James Mee, the discoverer of the Tuscombia mine in 1880. He operated a mill here and processed $200,000 of other people's gold. The town also served as a stage stop for the Prescott-Alexandra road and a post office (established November 28, 1881, discontinued September 2, 1885). Then around the turn of the century when mining activity rose again, the buildings were picked up and moved to nearby Hooper mining camp on the Prescott-Crown King Senator highway.

Middleton Owned by George Middleton, the De Soto copper mine supported a small town with an assay office, a boardinghouse, cookhouse, blacksmith, warehouse, corral, and residences all overlooking the town of Middleton. Over 100 people lived here and the post office at Middleton served De Soto. The post office in Middleton was established May 8, 1903 and was discontinued in 1908. The company operating the De Soto went bankrupt. Then, the post office was reestablished in 1916 and was called Ocotillo. World War I brought an increased demand for copper and the total production was $3,250,000 in copper ore. The post office was again discontinued in 1925. There are still a few tramway towers left from the tram that went from the De Soto to Middleton. The bottom of the main De Soto mine is covered in water as can be seen in the picture. Air blows out of the mine year-round at almost frostbiting temperatures, even in the summer!

Minnehaha actually consists of many towns, Marion, McCormick, Patterson, Taylor, and Button just to name a few, all in the same location on the Minnehaha flats. Each served as a gateway to the Bradshaw Mountains and some only consisted of one house. A post office was started in 1880 and during the 1890s the post office moved to the Button Mine until its closing in 1910. Today there are caretakers with dogs at the site of Minnehaha and the mine and buildings remain intact.

Moreland aka Tiger. The patent for the Tiger Mine was the first ever recorded in Yavapai county on April 30, 1874. The mine had been worked extensively starting in 1870 just after the Del Pasco. Also called Moreland City, Tiger constantly faced the attack of Apache Indians until 1476 Apaches were moved in 1875. Ore ran upwards of $4000 per ton and the Tiger Mill was officially started on June 9, 1879. There was a store, a hotel, and even its own school district. Then disasters began to strike the Tiger Mine. Many men were killed as drunken hoist operators dropped their clients down the shaft. Noah Sheckles moved in his store and illegally transferred the Bradshaw City post office. Today only the mine remnants are left. --Tiger, Arizona; Desert Magazine entitled, 'Gems, Minerals and Mines Along Southwestern Trails', was a series of articles written by some firemen from Los Angeles. This article is about the town of Tiger, Arizona, and the area around it: Gems, Minerals and Mines Along Southwestern Trails

Octave's post office was established April 19, 1900, and was discontinued December 31, 1942. Nearby Rich Hill supported the towns of Octave, Stanton, and Weaver. Octave got its name after the eight men that started the first mining company there, Octave Gold Mining company. Octave supported a school, post office, grocery store, general store, and stage line in its heyday. Most of the buildings were torn down after World War II to reduce land taxes for the owners. Today you can see many foundations one original standing building.

Eight partners formed Octave Gold Mining Company in 1863 which was running with success around Rich Hill until 1941 when Executive Order 208 closed no strategically mines. Octave becomes town in the late 1890. Post office, which was opened in Weawer in 1899 was moved to Octave and opened on April 19, 1900, when the resident left Weawer. Post office closed on December 31, 1942. In Octave were stagecoach station, school and grocery store. The mostly buildings were destroyed after WW2 by the owners, to save tax money. Today there are a lot of foundation left and one original building is still standing.

Ocotillo aka De Soto, aka Middleton.

Oro Belle's post office was established May 17, 1904, and was discontinued August 31, 1918. Many mining claims in the area led to the town of Oro Belle. George P. Harrington organized the Oro Belle Mining and Milling company in the late 1890s and the town eventually had a sheriff and Justice of the Peace. Harrington was replaced as mine superintendent by a mining engineer named Schlesinger who was not popular with the employees. In fact, he was eventually run off after being threatened to be hanged because he penny pinched too much on the miner's food. Harrington was reinstated. Interestingly enough, Oro Belle was owned by the Illinois Grocers Association (IGA). The saloon at Oro Belle, including its bar (which came from nearby Alexandra), was moved in its entirety to Crown King where it can be seen and visited today!

Oro Grande was founded in 1901 by a $2000 gold strike that brought a mining sensation to the Black Rock district. $250,000 was put into the operation but less than $50,000 ever came out. Oro Grande had its own 10-stamp mill and even its own pumping plant at the Hassayampa river.

Packer

Palace Station was a stage station originally built in 1874 and rebuilt in 1878. It was the midway point from the top of the Bradshaw Mountains to Prescott. Forest service personnel now occupy the site.

Palace Station is 17 miles South of Senator Highway (earlier Mount Vernon Street) in Prescott. 2 WD can made the trip by careful driving in dry weather, but 4 WD is best. Palace Station is one of many gold-digging towns lying in the Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott. It is beside Senator Highway on the dirt road to Crown King. One interest building is still standing. Alfred B. Spence, his wife, Matilda, and her daughter, R.J. Lambuth, come to Arizona Territory in 1873. They settled down beside Groom Creek were Spence opened sawmill. Two year later they moved to Crooks Canyon, named after Gen. George Crook (who was fighting in many Indian battle) were they build house, which today is the oldest house in the state from the pioneer days. Spence chose the place because that was halfway between Prescott and in that time flourished Peck mine (which was 7 miles north of Crown King). In 1877 stopped the stage (Prescott & Phoenix Stage line) by the house, known as Palace Station, on the road to Peck mine, where the passengers had a meal from Mrs. Spence and the horses were watered. Even though the stage passengers did not stay here overnight, many other travelers did. The station had a bar and served as a social meeting center for the miners who worked in the area. Alfred Spence died in 1908 and lies buried in a cemetery not so far from there. Arriving of the cars and phones brought the end to Stage lines and Mrs. Spence sold the old station in 1910. Palace Station is now in use by Forest Service. It is closed to the public, but can be seen from outside. Because a lot of old buildings in the State are damaged or removed to museum areas, Palace Station gives one an authentic view of the past.

Pamela had a post office from 1881 to 1883, and was a small mining community.

Patio Town was a largely Hispanic community where Clarkdale is today. All the buildings are abandoned, with only a few small foundations remaining.

Pickerell. "Colonel" A. J. Pickerell built a 10-stamp mill here in 1897 and a camp of about 100 people developed supporting two saloons and a store. A nearby peak was named after a famous southerner, Davis Peak, and in retaliation, miners from northern states named the higher nearby peak Union.

Piedmont was located between Weawer Mountains and Date Creek Mountains on Date Creek Road (Yavapai Route 62) between Hillside and Congress.

Placerita's post office was established Feb 1, 1896, and discontinued August 15, 1910. Placerita Gulch was the site of gold for many early prospectors and as the name suggests, it was placer gold. First discovered in 1863 by Mexican Placeros, the site was abandoned after the surface gold was taken. Then in the 1880s "Grizzly" Callen found several small veins and opened a quartz mill. Goat and cattle ranching followed and a population of 30 was reported in 1905. Today, scattered remnants still dot the countryside.

Poland's post office was established November 16, 1901, and was discontinued February 15, 1913. The town is named after the mine discoverer Davis Robert Poland who located the claim in 1872. Over 800 people lived in Poland in 1902 and the town boasted a fine lodging house with fourteen rooms. A tunnel was dug two miles through a mountain to the town of Walker to aid in ore transport. Miners in Poland got paid $2.25 per day and that did not include food or lodging which cost $1 per day. Eventually miners struck for higher wages and received $4 per day. Today many summer homes are in the area and there is not much left of the original operation.

Puntenney, a railroad stop on the AT&SF RR Ash-Fork-Prescott branch, was named for George Puntenney, who built the first lime kilns here. First had a post office under the name Puntew which was a misspelling by the post office department. Post office was established on April 26, 1892, under the name George Puntenney P.M.

The limestone kiln and possibly the railroad tracks are located west of Highway 89, just south of Hell Canyon (on FR-573, approx. 2.8 miles from 89). The limestone kiln is now surrounded by a chain-link fence, a large wooden fence and USFS signs marking it as unstable and fragile. Road is a mid-clearance 2WD, 4WD highly advisable during rain season, as the road becomes very muddy and tracked. According to historical maps and the current USGS maps, this kiln is located right by what was the Prescott and Arizona Central RR line (Prescott Jct / Seligman – Prescott line).

The other structures, presumably much newer, belong to what was called Cedar Glade, located on the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix RR (Ash Fork – Prescott RR, today’s current BNSF line), T18N R1W. Of Cedar Glade, the only remains are those foundations and walls and a cemetery located on a trail off FR-573. It seems like those remaining foundations are accessible only from the east of the RR tracks, as there is barbed wire fencing on the west side. Road is 2WD. Cedar Glade cannot be accessed from Drake Rd, as the old bridge over Hell Canyon is now closed by the limestone quarry. The cemetery, I was told, is about the size as a tennis court and is not easily seen. Cedar Glade and the Puntenney kiln are only 4 miles or so apart. --Felipe Garcia

Providence at one time consisted of over 20 businesses lining the Big Bug Creek. Three mills were erected and the town got a post office in 1899. No money ever came out of the mines and the mine promoter was eventually found out to be a liar as were most. He eventually wrote a book on how to commit mine fraud entitled, Rocks in the Road to Fortune.

Richinbar's post office was established July 30, 1896, and was discontinued March 15, 1912. Richinbar was a gold mining town at which the Duquesne and Kentucky Standard Mining companies operated. Water for operations was piped in from the Agua Fria river in the canyon below and stored on top of a hill in what looks today like a giant swimming pool. The canyon side served as the trash dump and is littered with porcelain dishes and cups.

Rutherford had a post office from 1907 to __, and was a small mining community.

Sayers aka Gilbert. Gilbert or Sayers, was the halfway house between Wickenburg and Constellation. Operated by William Gilbert, and later George Sayers, the site served thirsty miners from nearby mines and travelers tired from their trips.

Senator aka Maxton. Senator's post office was established November 1, 1915, and was discontinued October 22, 1918. The Maxton mine, named after Max Alwen, can still be seen today with its ore tracks leading into the mine as you drive the Senator Highway. The Senator gold mine, discovered in the 1860s, supported a community for years albeit without a post office at first. Senator even had its own school. Eventually, like other ghosts, the mines played out and the Senator and Maxton lay at rest.

Simmons was located on Williamson Valley Wash, at an important junction of old trading and travel routes; known locally as 'Crossroads'; founded as Wilson in 1871, the name was changed to Williamson Valley in 1873; in 1881 it was changed again to Simmons, probably because the Simmons family dominated the area and had established commercial facilities at the site. The post office closed in 1931; today the site is on private land (without access).

Stanton was originally named Antelope Station. The camp is rumored to have started as early as 1863. Because there was another Antelope Station, the name was changed in 1875 to Stanton, with Charles P. Stanton as postmaster. Its post office was established March 5, 1875. The post office closed in 1890 when the mines closed, but opened again in 1894. In the town lived about 200 people. Post office closed definitive on June 15, 1905, and Stanton become a ghost town.

Located at the base of Rich Hill, Stanton had, in its heyday a five-stamp mill, boardinghouse, store, and at least a dozen houses. The town is in relatively good condition because it was closed to the public for many years. Three buildings (private owners) from the original town stand today, and they are well-preserved and awake memories about the "Old West." Stanton was turned into an RV park. The public is allowed into the gates to visit the Ghost Town. Visitors just have to park at the flagpole and check in at the office. Lost Dutchman Mining Association is a gold prospecting organization and does not go about restoring buildings, but they have restored some of the old Stanton buildings so the club members can use them. To reach Stanton, pass Congress and head north on SR 89. When you pass Congress keep eyes with the Frog Rock on the left side on the road. Road to Stanton is on the right hand, 2 miles after Congress. From SR 89 to Stanton is a 6-mile dirt road. --Bobby Zlatevski, 2008

A Story Goes - Charles P. Stanton arrived to Antelope Station in 1870, after he quit a job at Vulture mine. The town had a stagecoach station, owned by William Partridge, an Englishman, and it had a country store owned by G. H. "Yaqui" Wilson. Wilson had pigs, and they were often on Partridge's ground. The pigs would eat things that were stored for the travelers. It is said that Charles P. Stanton wanted to eliminate both of them so he could take over both their businesses. He made a Devil's plan to make use of arguments between Partridge and Wilson. One day when he met Partridge, he told him that the pigs' owner was after him. That was a big lie, but Partridge believed him, and Partridge shot Wilson as soon he saw him. Partridge was arrested, questioned, convicted and sent to jail in Yuma. In Yuma, he complained that Wilson's ghost was after him all the time. Although both Partridge and Wilson were gone, things did not go as planned for Stanton. Wilson had a secret partner by the name Timmerman who overtook the store, and the jailed Partridge had creditors who sold his stagecoach station to Barney Martin. Stanton, who was mad about all this, hired a group of desperados lead by a local gunman by the name Francisco Vega to do away with both of them. Shortly after that, Vega killed Timmerman. Beside Stanton, the only man who had power was Barney Martin. In July 1886, the remains of Martin and his family were found north of the town, killed from the ambush. Finally, Charles Stanton acquired the power he was dreaming about, but not for long. In November that same year, a young member of the Vega gang, Christero Lucero, shot Stanton for bothering his sister. When Lucero was to escape from the town, he met one of Stanton's enemies by the name of Tom Pierson. When Lucero told him what he did, Pierson told him, "You don't need to escape. If you stay, it's you who shall have a reward." Nobody cried for Stanton. In the following 4 years, the town of Stanton become as dead as Stanton himself.

Sterling was discovered by Robert Groom in 1865, and was the largest operation near Prescott at the time. Mills and other buildings were built but the mine never amounted to much. About every 20 years the mines were worked again but to no avail. Not much more than $10,000 in gold was ever produced from the mine. Today only the mines remain and are difficult to find.

Stoddard's post office started December 15, 1882 and discontinued September 15, 1927. Named in honor of Isaac T. Stoddard, Stoddard contained the first copper smelter in its district. Stoddard had a school, boardinghouse, general store, auto garages, and much more. There was a population of about 300 people in Stoddard during its heyday. When the price of copper dropped in the 1930s, the town closed down.

Stormcloud aka Cash Camp. Near Senator, or Maxton, Stormcloud housed a mill of the same name that ran ore from mines in the area, especially Maxton. A neighboring camp called Cash supported a mill also.

Tiger aka Moreland City.

The patent for the Tiger Mine was the first ever recorded in Yavapai county on April 30, 1874. The mine had been worked extensively starting in 1870 just after the Del Pasco. Also called Moreland City, Tiger constantly faced the attack of Apache Indians until 1476 Apaches were moved in 1875. Ore ran upwards of $4000 per ton and the Tiger Mill was officially started on June 9, 1879. There was a store, a hotel, and even its own school district. Then disasters began to strike the Tiger Mine. Many men were killed as drunken hoist operators dropped their clients down the shaft. Noah Sheckles moved in his store and illegally transferred the Bradshaw City post office. Today only the mine remnants are left. --Desert Magazine entitled 'Gems, Minerals and Mines Along Southwestern Trails.'

Tip Top's post office was established August 12, 1880 and discontinued February 14, 1895. Discovered by two men, Moore and Corning in 1875, Tip Top went on to become one of the largest silver producers in the area. Nearby Gillett served as the milling town. Most mine employees were civil war veterans from both sides. Once a miner was bitten by a centipede and dranks a quart of whisky as was the cure in those days. To this day no one know whether the miner died from the centipede or the whisky. Tip Top had six saloons, a brewery, two restaurants, a Chinese laundry, a feed yard, a blacksmith shop, a shoe store, and many residences. Today as you round the bend in your 4WD the first site you see is one of those residences.

Val Verde aka Humboldt.

Venezia's post office was established April 16, 1916, and discontinued June 1, 1935. Name after Venice, Italy, the town was a mill town for surrounding mines including the Crook Mine. The mill was a 20-stamp mill and was surrounded by a store, stage stop, saloon, and more. The U.S. Forest Service recently dynamited and bulldozed the site.

Wagoner's earliest homesteads date to 1864, when the town was named after Jaye Edward Wagoner. The town had a two-story hotel with 10 rooms, stores and many businesses. Wagoner survives on today, barely, by ranching in the area. The hotel and other parts of the town burned down in the 1940s.

Walker's post office was established December 15, 1879 and was discontinued September 30, 1940. Now home to summer cottages, Walker was once a boom town sustained for over eighty years by the mines. As much as 2700 residents were reported to have lived here. Walker was located by Captain Joseph Reddeford Walker and the Walker Party in 1863. The fire station is still there today and a giant charcoal kiln is nearby and worth the walk.

Prescott National Forest has a sign stating: Walker Townsite. This townsite was named after Capt. Joseph R. Walker, who discovered gold here in 1863. At the peak of mining activity, Walker had a population of 3,000.

Weaver's post office was established May 26, 1899, and was discontinued April 19, 1900, because it was moved to nearby Octave. Weaver is the site of the richest placer deposits in Arizona. Nuggets were found lying on the ground at the base of Rich Hill. Overnight Weaver became a success and the city was named in honor of Pauline Weaver, the leader of the expedition that found the gold. Weaver was discovered in the early 1860s and had much trouble with Indians. Weaver was known as a hangout for robbers and thieves and was eventually absorbed into the town of Octave. A few foundations and some current mining remain at the site of Weaver.

In 1863, same year as Henry Wickenburg discovered Vulture ore, lead Pauline Weaver, an famous Western prospector and scout, a group of people organized by Abraham Harlow Peeples from Yuma into central Arizona Territory. One night they killed tree antelopes beside Creek under the rocky hilltop. When some of those people searched for gold by the Creek, a man with the name Alvaro clambered to the top of the Hill and he found gold nuggets. Creek was named Antelope Creek, the canyon on the east side of the hill became Weaver Gulch, and top of the hill who contained head ore became Rich Hill. Around Rich Hill grew 3 cities: Stanton, Weaver and Octave. Back to Weaver, which was colored city named after Pauline Weaver who found a rich gold ore on the place. When gold ore was empty, this popular community Weaver became dangerous place and made town Stanton to nice place. Weaver became a hiding place for theives and killers, and some of them were hired by Charles Stanton in his fight for power. After killing of William Segna in 1898 (owner of combined saloon and store), people moved (because danger for there's lives) to Octave, the nearby town. Weaver's post office was established May 26, 1899 and was discontinued April 19, 1900 because it was moved to nearby Octave. After 30 years with no law, the gangs were hunted down and Weaver became ghost town.

---

Contributed by Unknown

---