This is a partial list of ghost towns in Arizona in the United States. Most ghost towns in Arizona are former mining boomtowns that were abandoned when the mines closed. Those not set up as mining camps often became mills or supply points supporting nearby mining operations.[1]

Conditions

1881 Assay Office of Vulture City

Ghost towns can include sites in various states of disrepair and abandonment. Some sites no longer have any trace of buildings or civilization and have reverted to empty land. Other sites are unpopulated but still have standing buildings. Still others may support full-time residents, though usually far less than at their historical peak, while others may now be museums or historical sites.[1]

For ease of reference, the sites listed here are placed into one of the following general categories.

Barren site
  • Site is no longer in existence
  • Site has been destroyed, covered with water, or reverted to empty land
  • May have a few difficult to find foundations/footings at most
Neglected site
  • Little more than rubble remains at the site
  • Dilapidated, often roofless buildings remain at the site
Abandoned site
  • Building or houses still standing, but all or almost all are abandoned
  • No population, with the possible exception of a caretaker
  • Site no longer in use, except for one or two buildings
Semi-abandoned site
  • Buildings or houses still standing, but most are abandoned
  • A few residents may remain
Historic site
  • Buildings or houses still standing
  • Site has been converted to a historical site, museum, or tourist attraction
  • Still a busy community, but population is smaller than its peak years

Ghost towns

Town name   Other name(s)   Location County   Settled   Abandoned   Current status   Remarks   
Adamana Apache1896Semi-abandoned siteOriginally the place was known as Adam Hanna's, as time passed and more people came to visit, the elision of a few letters gave us the name Adamana.
AdamsvilleSanford Pinal18661920sNeglected siteOriginal farming town mostly destroyed in a flood, now farmland. The remnant abandoned by the 1920s. Only its cemetery and some ruins remain.
Agua Caliente Maricopa1858Neglected siteHotel, ruins of a stone house and a swimming pool.
Alamo Crossing[2]Alimo Mohave18991918SubmergedSubmerged in Alamo Lake.
Alexandra[2] Yavapai1875c. 1903Barren siteThe town is located in Peck Canyon and was named Alexandra after Mrs. T.M. Alexander, a founder and the first lady to be at the town.
Algert Coconino18831921Neglected siteWalls of some of the school buildings, and some of the walls of the trading post are still standing.
Allen[2]Gunsight, Allen City[3] Pimac. 1880c. 1886Barren siteAllen was founded by John Brackett Allen, he named his town after himself.
AlmaStringtown Maricopa1880Historic siteMormon settlement now part of Mesa, Arizona.[4]
Alma Pinal18911898Abandoned siteWooden water tanks, concrete ore chute, and metal ore buckets, etc. as well as a small slag heap remain on the site within private property. A settlement with a post office, 6 miles above Old Camp Grant on the west side of the San Pedro River.[4]: 16 
Alto Santa Cruz19071933Neglected siteAdobe Walls of old Post office and Sign for "Alto Camp". Historic Mining district back to the 18th Century.
American Flag[2] Pinalc. 1879c. 1884The post office was moved to the American Flag Ranch in 1880. The building still stands, and is the oldest surviving territorial post office building in Arizona.
American RanchLee's Ranch Yavapai1863c. 1883Barren siteA stage stop on Mint Wash in Little Chino Valley on the Hardyville–Prescott Road with a large hotel for travelers.[5][6]

[7]

Angel Camp Maricopa
Apron Crossing Yavapai
AravaipaDunlap GrahamOriginally named Dunlap after Burt Dunlap, the local rancher who established it in 1882.
Aubrey Landing[2]Aubrey Mohavec. 1860c. 1886Barren siteA steamboat landing, later inundated when Lake Havasu was formed
Aura Graham1899
Aztec Yuma1880sSemi-abandoned siteFormer railroad station
Barcelona Pinal1880sSite completely devoured by mineSegregated town near Kelvin
Bellevue Gila19061927Abandoned siteTown was built to harbor the Gibson Cooper Mine
Big Bug[2]Bigbug, Red Rock Yavapai1862c. 1910Barren siteTown was founded by Theodore Boggs during the American Civil War. Boggs' father was the former governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs, who helped drive the Mormons out during the Missouri Mormon War.
Black Diamond Cochise
Bonita[8] Grahamc. 18851950Abandoned siteCatered to Fort Grant
BoylesCarpenter Greenlee19041908Barren siteFarming and ranching community at the mouth of the Blue River (Arizona)[9]
Bradshaw City Yavapaic. 1860c. 1880Barren siteTown supported the Tiger Mine. Namesake of its founder, William D. Bradshaw.
Brigham City[10] Navajo18761881Historic siteFounded by member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints near the present city of Winslow in 1876, it was one and one-half miles north of Winslow's current city center, along the Little Colorado River. It was organized as a Latter-Day Saints ward in 1878, but by 1881 it had been abandoned.
Bumble Bee[1][2] Yavapai1863Semi-abandoned sitePrivately owned, few residents.[1]
Calabasas[2]Calabazas Santa Cruz18661913Abandoned siteWas a Tohono O'odham Village, Mexican Garrison, Military Base, mining town. Town was known as the gateway to Mexico and had the finest hotel from San Francisco to Denver.[11]
Camp Crittenden Santa Cruz18671873Semi-abandoned sitePrivate property, named Camp Crittenden by Generals Orders No. 57 Department of California, September 30, 1867, in honor of Thomas S. Crittenden, Col. 32nd U.S. Infantry Major General U.S. Volunteers. Established to protect settlements of Babocomari.
Camp Reno Gila18671870Neglected siteArea was once occupied by the United States Army to keep surveillance on the Apache.[12]
Canelo Santa Cruzc. 1904Semi-abandoned siteSeveral historic buildings remain, including a one-room schoolhouse and a United States Forest Service ranger station complex.
Canyon Diablo Exit 230 off Interstate 40Coconino1882Before 1947NeglectedOnly existed because of an error in constructing a railway bridge, died out shortly after the bridge was completed
Cascabel Cochise19161936Semi-abandoned siteSeveral occupied adobes and ruined adobe walls, adjacent to Cascabel Rd.
Castle Dome[13] Yuma18691876Historic siteSite of the Castle Dome Mines Museum.
Castle Dome Landing[1][2]Castle Dome City Yuma18691884SubmergedA steamboat landing, submerged in Martinez Lake.
Chaparral Yavapaic. 1895c. 1918Barren site
Charleston[2] Cochise18791888Neglected siteMaintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[14]
Catoctin Yavapaic. 1902c. 1920Barren siteA small mining town
Cedar Mohavec. 1875c. 1911Neglected sitegold, silver and copper mining town
CerbatCampbell Mohavec. 1869c. 1912Neglected siteFrom June 25, 1890, to October 24, 1902, the town was known as Campbell.[2]
Cerro Colorado Pimac. 1856c. 1911Neglected siteThe subject of a lost treasure story
Cherry[2] Yavapai18841943Semi-abandoned siteOnce a mining town, now the site of a retirement community.
Chloride Mohave1863
Cleator Yavapai
Clemenceau Yavapai1917Historic siteNow part of Cottonwood, Arizona
Cochise Cochise
Cochran[2] Pinal19051915
Colorado City Yuma18531862Barren siteColorado River ferry crossing, destroyed by Great Flood of 1862
Congress[1] Yavapai
Contention City[2]Contention Cochise18801888Neglected siteMaintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[14]
Copper Creek[2] Pinal1880s1942Neglected siteIn recent years, several companies have proposed opening a mine here.
CordesAntelope Junction Yavapai18831950sSemi-abandoned site
Courtland[2] Cochise19081942Abandoned siteRemains of old Jail and Cemetery
Crown King[2] Yavapai18941954Historic siteOld Saloon and Many occupied buildings including general store
CurtisArizona City Yavapai18891907Former mining town. Currently the site of a mining operation, just north of Mayer on Big Bug Creek.
Dome Yuma18921904Neglected site Ruins of an adobe building, cemetery
Duquesne Santa Cruz1880s1920sSemi-abandoned siteSeveral wood buildings including Westinghouse home
EhrenbergMineral City La Paz18631915Neglected siteA steamboat landing, Colorado River ferry, junction of the Bradshaw Trail and La Paz–Wikenburg Road
Fairbank[2]Junction City, Kendall, Fairbanks[15] Cochise18831970sAbandoned siteMaintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[15]
FortunaFortuna Mine Yuma18961924Neglected siteFoundation of General Store, Mill and Reservoir. Interpretive hiking trail maintained with signs by USMC–Yuma Marines. Mine shaft, Sign in log.
Fort BuchananBattle site Santa Cruz18571865Barren siteCivil War era Frontier Post, The post was officially abandoned in 1861 but during the American Civil War troops of the California Column occasionally manned the post. In February 1865 Apaches attacked and forced the small garrison to retreat.
Galeyville[2] Cochise18811882Barren site
Geronimo Graham
GillettGillette[16] Yavapai18781880Neglected siteGillett Cemetery and nearby Burfind Hotel foundations.
Gila CityLigurta[17] Yuma18581863Barren siteDestroyed by the Great Flood of 1862
Gleeson[2]Turquoise Cochise1870s1940Semi-abandoned siteTown was first settled as Turquoise in the 1870s in what was then the Arizona Territory, then later re-established as Gleeson in 1900.
GoldfieldYoungsburg Pinal1892,19201898,1926Historic siteGoldfield revived as Youngsburg in 1920, is now a tourist attraction.
Goldroad[2][18]Acme Mohave19021942Died out due to railroad closure
Guthrie Greenlee1880s1922Neglected siteAn important railroad stop along the Arizona & New Mexico Railway. Transfer point of the Morenci Southern Railway.[19]
Hardyville Mohave18641883Historic siteHardyville Pioneer Cemetery, a historic landmark and an unofficial historical marker for nearby Bullhead City, Arizona. A steamboat landing, Colorado River ferry, mining town, junction of the Mojave Road and Hardyville–Prescott Road
Harshaw[1][2]Durazno Santa Cruz18801960Semi-abandoned siteCemetery, several adobe walls, flat townsite pads still visible
Helvetia Pima18911921Neglected sitesmall cemetery on approach with period graves, road to gunsite pass, small adobe wall and smelter stone wall still visible
Hilltop Cochise1880s1940sNeglected site
House Rock CoconinoSemi-abandoned site
Hyder Yuma
Jerome Junction[20] Yavapai18941920
Johnson Cochise
Kentucky Camp Pima18741912Historic siteMaintained by US Forest Service
Klondyke Grahamc. 1900Historic siteMaintained by US Forest Service
Kofa Yuma
La LagunaLaguna Yuma18601862SubmergedMining camp. Site under Mittry Lake
La Paz La Paz18621875Neglected siteSite of the first major gold strike along the Colorado River. Steamboat landing to 1866, Yuma County seat until 1871.
Lochiel Santa Cruzc. 18801986Neglected site
Metcalf Greenlee18891936Neglected siteA copper mining town, died after the ore ran out in 1918.[21] Its post office lasted from 1899 to 1936.[22]
Millville Cochise
Marinette[23] MaricopaBarren siteSun City was built on the site of Marinette in the 1960s
McMillenville[2]McMillianville, McMillanville Gila1876c. 1886Neglected site
Mohave City[2]Mojave City Mohave18631938Barren siteA steamboat landing, mining and garrison town, absorbed into Fort Mojave Indian Reservation.[24]
Mowry[25]The Patagonia Mine Santa Cruz18581880AbandonedOriginally a lead and silver mine called "The Patagonia Mine" which was renamed after Lieutenant Sylvester Mowry purchased the mine from the local Mexicans in 1860. Mowry was later arrested by General H. Carleton in 1862 and charged with selling lead to the confederate army. After his release Mowry returned to England where he hoped to get money so that he could resume his mining operations, but died before this was possible.[2]
Mt. Trumbull[26]Bundyville Mohave1916c. 1970Abandoned site, historic site

The site is mostly abandoned, but remains home to a reconstruction of a historic schoolhouse.[27] Town was sometimes called Bundyville, after the family that settled the area. As of 2006 one member of the Bundy family still lived alone on a 320-acre ranch near the abandoned town site.[28]

Nothing Mohave19772005Abandoned siteAn attempted revival occurred sometime after August 2008, but by April 2011, Nothing was marked as abandoned again.
Oatman Mohave1902Historic site
Obed Navajo18761877Barren site
Octave YavapaiNeglected site
Oro Blanco Santa Cruz18731915Neglected site
OrovilleOro Greenlee18801882Neglected siteA farm community supporting Clifton.[29]
Pantano Pima1858c. 1956Barren site
Paradise[2] Cochise19011943Barren site
Pedrick's– Yuma18541879 ?Steamboat landing on the east bank of the Colorado River, just above the Sonora – Arizona border.
Piedmont Yavapai
Pearce Cochise18961942Semi-abandonedMine Gold/silver workings, general store, cemetery and several occupied dwellings, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
Pinal City Pinal
Ray Pinal1958
Reymert Pinal
Rosemont PimaSemi-abandonedAdobe walls at junction, old house now owned by Rosemont Mine. Soon to be destroyed by pit mine. Rosemont Mine
RubyMontana Camp Santa Cruz1870s1941Historic site25 buildings under roof, including the old jail and houses, the old school, the playground, old mine machinery, buildings and mine workings. Ruby is entirely on private property.
San Rafael PimaBarren site
Salero Santa Cruz18841890Neglected siteOld Bunkhouse and Assay Office, now off limits on private property (Gated)
Santa ClausSanta Claus Acres Mohave1937
Sacaton (village) Pinal18571880sBarren siteOne of the 19th century Maricopa villages among the Pima Villages
Sasco Pinal19071920sNeglected site
Signal Mohave18771932
Silver Bell Silverbell 23 Miles West of I-10 Exit 242 Pima 1952 1984 Barren site 4 Miles south of original town of Silverbell. Abandoned due to Asarco Silver Bell mine temporary closure in 1984. Mine was reopened in 1998 and is currently in operation
SimmonsWilson, Williamson's Valley Yavapai18711934Barren siteA stop on the Hardyville–Prescott Road, and a local post office.
Socatoon Station Pinal18581870sBarren siteStagecoach station
Spenazuma Graham18981899Barren site
StantonAntelope Station Yavapai18631905Historic siteOwned and maintained by the Lost Dutchman Mining Association
Stanwix StationFlap Jack Ranch, Grinnell's Station Yuma18581880sBarren siteStagecoach station. Site of the Skirmish at Stanwix Station, often considered the westernmost engagement of the American Civil War.
Stoddard[30][31][2]: 147  Yavapai18821830sNeglected siteSupported by several nearby copper mines, the town had a smelter, school, stores, and up to 300 people until it was abandoned when the price of copper fell.
Sunset Navajo18761887Abandoned siteOnly the cemetery remains today
Swansea[1][2]Signal La Paz19081937Abandoned siteMaintained by the Bureau of Land Management.
Tiger[2]Schultz Pinal18811954Barren siteAll structures demolished
Tip Top Yavapai1876
Total Wreck Pima1879c. 1890Neglected siteSmelter walls and mine still remain, small rock cabin foundation to south, filming location for movie Hombre
Tres Alamos Cochise18741886–
Twin Buttes Pimac. 1903c. 1930Barren siteBuried under the Twin Buttes Mine. All that remains is the cemetery.
Vulture City Maricopa18631942Historic sitePrivately owned and operated as a tourist attraction
Washington Camp Santa Cruz1880s1920sSemi-abandoned site
WeaverWeaverville Yavapai18631900Neglected site
Webb Maricopa
White Hills Mohave
Wilford[32] Navajo18831926Barren siteLoose rock foundations.
Wolf Hole Mohave
Zeniff[32] Navajo19091940sBarren siteFew walls precariously standing amid piles of wood and adobe rubble.

Images of ghost towns

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Varney, Philip (2005). Stieve, Robert (ed.). Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps: A Travel Guide to History (10th ed.). Phoenix: Arizona Highways Books. ISBN 1932082468.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Sherman, James E.; Sherman, Barbara H. (1969). Ghost Towns of Arizona. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806108438. OCLC 21732.
  3. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gunsight
  4. 1 2 "Welcome bradhallart.com" (PDF). www.bradhallart.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  5. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: American Ranch
  6. ↑ "Photographs Virtual Browsing Book – Buildings-Ranches – Sharlot Hall Museum". Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  7. ↑ "A day trip to Seligman on the Williamson Valley Road". Sharlot Hall Museum Library & Archives. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Ghost Towns, Arizona: Bonita". Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  9. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Blue River
  10. ↑ "Historic Sites – Brigham City". Arizona Heritage Traveler. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  11. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Calabasas Hotel (historical)
  12. ↑ "Camp Reno". Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  13. ↑ Lowe, Sam (2007). "Southwest Arizona". Arizona Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (2nd ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 226. ISBN 978-0762741144.
  14. 1 2 "San Pedro RNCA – Cultural Resources". Bureau of Land Management. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  15. 1 2 "Fairbank Historic Townsite". Bureau of Land Management. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  16. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gillette
  17. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ligurta
  18. ↑ Heatwole, Thelma (1991). Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona. Phoenix: American Traveller Press. pp. 14, 19–20. ISBN 978-0914846109.
  19. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Guthrie
  20. ↑ Massey, Peter; Wilson, Jeanne (2006). Backcountry Adventures Arizona: The Ultimate Guide to the Arizona Backcountry for Anyone With a Sport Utility Vehicle. Adler Publishing Co. ISBN 1930193289. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  21. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Metcalf
  22. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Metcalf Post Office (historical)
  23. ↑ Grant, Tina (1988). International directory of company histories. Vol. 14. St. James Press. p. 163. ISBN 1558623426. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Area Information: Our Past". Mohave Valley Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  25. ↑ Mowry – Ghost Town of the Month at azghosttowns.com
  26. ↑ George H. Billingsley and Helen C. Dyer, prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management (2003). "Geologic Map of the Upper Hurricane Wash and Vicinity, Mohave County, Northwestern Arizona: Pamphlet to accompany Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2410". US Geological Survey. Hurricane Wash begins near the abandoned village of Mt. Trumbull (Bundyville), Arizona. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ↑ "Mount Trumbull – Arizona Ghost Town". Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  28. ↑ Mark, Shaffer (May 21, 2006). "Arizona man cherishes freedom, isolation". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  29. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Oroville
  30. ↑ "Stoddard, Arizona". Arizona Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  31. ↑ Stoddard – Ghost Town of the Month at azghosttowns.com
  32. 1 2 Hanchett, Jr., Leland J. (1993). The Crooked Trail to Holbrook – An Arizona Cattle Trail (First ed.). Arrowhead Press. p. 163. ISBN 0963778501.

Further reading

  • Austin, Noah (2019). Vaughn, Kelly (ed.). Arizona Ghost Town: 50 of the State's Best Places to Get a Glimpse of the Old West. Phoenix: Arizona Highways. ISBN 978-0998981307. OCLC 1147975628.
  • Paher, Stanley W.; Spude, Robert L.S.; Purcell, Roy E. (1976). Colorado River Ghost Towns. Las Vegas: Nevada Publications. OCLC 2687591.
  • Paher, Stanley W. (1980) [1971]. Northwestern Arizona Ghost Towns (revised ed.). Las Vegas: Nevada Publications. ISBN 978-0913814307. OCLC 7199950.
  • Paher, Stanley W. (1981). Southwestern Arizona Ghost Towns. Las Vegas: Nevada Publications. ISBN 978-0913814321. OCLC 7509446.
  • Paher, Stanley W. (1990). Western Arizona Ghost Towns. Nevada Publications. ISBN 978-0913814895. OCLC 23172961.
  • Spude, Robert L.S.; Paher, Stanley W. (1978). Central Arizona Ghost Towns. Las Vegas: Nevada Publications. OCLC 4125889.
  • Varney, Philip; Hinckley, Jim; James, Kerrick (2017). Ghost Towns of the West. Minneapolis: Voyager Press. ISBN 978-0760350416. OCLC 958797582.
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