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
Neglected site
Abandoned site
Semi-abandoned site
Historic site

Ghost towns

Town name   Other name(s)   Location County   Settled   Abandoned   Current status   Remarks   
Adamana Apache 1896 Semi-abandoned site Originally 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.
Adamsville Sanford Pinal 1866 1920s Neglected site Original farming town mostly destroyed in a flood, now farmland. The remnant abandoned by the 1920s. Only its cemetery and some ruins remain.
Agua Caliente Maricopa 1858 Neglected site Hotel, ruins of a stone house and a swimming pool.
Alamo Crossing[2] Alimo Mohave 1899 1918 Submerged Submerged in Alamo Lake.
Alexandra[2] Yavapai 1875 c. 1903 Barren site The 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 Coconino 1883 1921 Neglected site Walls of some of the school buildings, and some of the walls of the trading post are still standing.
Allen[2] Gunsight, Allen City[3] Pima c. 1880 c. 1886 Barren site Allen was founded by John Brackett Allen, he named his town after himself.
Alma Stringtown Maricopa 1880 Historic site Mormon settlement now part of Mesa, Arizona.[4]
Alma Pinal 1891 1898 Abandoned site Wooden 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 Cruz 1907 1933 Neglected site Adobe Walls of old Post office and Sign for "Alto Camp". Historic Mining district back to the 18th Century.
American Flag[2] Pinal c. 1879 c. 1884 The 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 Ranch Lee's Ranch Yavapai 1863 c. 1883 Barren site A 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
Aravaipa Dunlap Graham Originally named Dunlap after Burt Dunlap, the local rancher who established it in 1882.
Aubrey Landing[2] Aubrey Mohave c. 1860 c. 1886 Barren site A steamboat landing, later inundated when Lake Havasu was formed
Aura Graham 1899
Aztec Yuma 1880s Semi-abandoned site Former railroad station
Barcelona Pinal 1880s Site completely devoured by mine Segregated town near Kelvin
Bellevue Gila 1906 1927 Abandoned site Town was built to harbor the Gibson Cooper Mine
Big Bug[2] Bigbug, Red Rock Yavapai 1862 c. 1910 Barren site Town 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] Graham c. 1885 1950 Abandoned site Catered to Fort Grant
Boyles Carpenter Greenlee 1904 1908 Barren site Farming and ranching community at the mouth of the Blue River (Arizona)[9]
Bradshaw City Yavapai c. 1860 c. 1880 Barren site Town supported the Tiger Mine. Namesake of its founder, William D. Bradshaw.
Brigham City[10] Navajo 1876 1881 Historic site Founded 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] Yavapai 1863 Semi-abandoned site Privately owned, few residents.[1]
Calabasas[2] Calabazas Santa Cruz 1866 1913 Abandoned site Was 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 Cruz 1867 1873 Semi-abandoned site Private 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 Gila 1867 1870 Neglected site Area was once occupied by the United States Army to keep surveillance on the Apache.[12]
Canelo Santa Cruz c. 1904 Semi-abandoned site Several historic buildings remain, including a one-room schoolhouse and a United States Forest Service ranger station complex.
Canyon Diablo Exit 230 off Interstate 40 Coconino 1882 Before 1947 Neglected Only existed because of an error in constructing a railway bridge, died out shortly after the bridge was completed
Cascabel Cochise 1916 1936 Semi-abandoned site Several occupied adobes and ruined adobe walls, adjacent to Cascabel Rd.
Castle Dome[13] Yuma 1869 1876 Historic site Site of the Castle Dome Mines Museum.
Castle Dome Landing[1][2] Castle Dome City Yuma 1869 1884 Submerged A steamboat landing, submerged in Martinez Lake.
Chaparral Yavapai c. 1895 c. 1918 Barren site
Charleston[2] Cochise 1879 1888 Neglected site Maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[14]
Catoctin Yavapai c. 1902 c. 1920 Barren site A small mining town
Cedar Mohave c. 1875 c. 1911 Neglected site gold, silver and copper mining town
Cerbat Campbell Mohave c. 1869 c. 1912 Neglected site From June 25, 1890, to October 24, 1902, the town was known as Campbell.[2]
Cerro Colorado Pima c. 1856 c. 1911 Neglected site The subject of a lost treasure story
Cherry[2] Yavapai 1884 1943 Semi-abandoned site Once a mining town, now the site of a retirement community.
Chloride Mohave 1863
Cleator Yavapai
Clemenceau Yavapai 1917 Historic site Now part of Cottonwood, Arizona
Cochise Cochise
Cochran[2] Pinal 1905 1915
Colorado City Yuma 1853 1862 Barren site Colorado River ferry crossing, destroyed by Great Flood of 1862
Congress[1] Yavapai
Contention City[2] Contention Cochise 1880 1888 Neglected site Maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[14]
Copper Creek[2] Pinal 1880s 1942 Neglected site In recent years, several companies have proposed opening a mine here.
Cordes Antelope Junction Yavapai 1883 1950s Semi-abandoned site
Courtland[2] Cochise 1908 1942 Abandoned site Remains of old Jail and Cemetery
Crown King[2] Yavapai 1894 1954 Historic site Old Saloon and Many occupied buildings including general store
Curtis Arizona City Yavapai 1889 1907 Former mining town. Currently the site of a mining operation, just north of Mayer on Big Bug Creek.
Dome Yuma 1892 1904 Neglected site Ruins of an adobe building, cemetery
Duquesne Santa Cruz 1880s 1920s Semi-abandoned site Several wood buildings including Westinghouse home
Ehrenberg Mineral City La Paz 1863 1915 Neglected site A steamboat landing, Colorado River ferry, junction of the Bradshaw Trail and La Paz–Wikenburg Road
Fairbank[2] Junction City, Kendall, Fairbanks[15] Cochise 1883 1970s Abandoned site Maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.[15]
Fortuna Fortuna Mine Yuma 1896 1924 Neglected site Foundation of General Store, Mill and Reservoir. Interpretive hiking trail maintained with signs by USMC–Yuma Marines. Mine shaft, Sign in log.
Fort Buchanan Battle site Santa Cruz 1857 1865 Barren site Civil 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] Cochise 1881 1882 Barren site
Geronimo Graham
Gillett Gillette[16] Yavapai 1878 1880 Neglected site Gillett Cemetery and nearby Burfind Hotel foundations.
Gila City Ligurta[17] Yuma 1858 1863 Barren site Destroyed by the Great Flood of 1862
Gleeson[2] Turquoise Cochise 1870s 1940 Semi-abandoned site Town was first settled as Turquoise in the 1870s in what was then the Arizona Territory, then later re-established as Gleeson in 1900.
Goldfield Youngsburg Pinal 1892,1920 1898,1926 Historic site Goldfield revived as Youngsburg in 1920, is now a tourist attraction.
Goldroad[2][18] Acme Mohave 1902 1942 Died out due to railroad closure
Guthrie Greenlee 1880s 1922 Neglected site An important railroad stop along the Arizona & New Mexico Railway. Transfer point of the Morenci Southern Railway.[19]
Hardyville Mohave 1864 1883 Historic site Hardyville 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 Cruz 1880 1960 Semi-abandoned site Cemetery, several adobe walls, flat townsite pads still visible
Helvetia Pima 1891 1921 Neglected site small cemetery on approach with period graves, road to gunsite pass, small adobe wall and smelter stone wall still visible
Hilltop Cochise 1880s 1940s Neglected site
House Rock Coconino Semi-abandoned site
Hyder Yuma
Jerome Junction[20] Yavapai 1894 1920
Johnson Cochise
Kentucky Camp Pima 1874 1912 Historic site Maintained by US Forest Service
Klondyke Graham c. 1900 Historic site Maintained by US Forest Service
Kofa Yuma
La Laguna Laguna Yuma 1860 1862 Submerged Mining camp. Site under Mittry Lake
La Paz La Paz 1862 1875 Neglected site Site of the first major gold strike along the Colorado River. Steamboat landing to 1866, Yuma County seat until 1871.
Lochiel Santa Cruz c. 1880 1986 Neglected site
Metcalf Greenlee 1889 1936 Neglected site A 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] Maricopa Barren site Sun City was built on the site of Marinette in the 1960s
McMillenville[2] McMillianville, McMillanville Gila 1876 c. 1886 Neglected site
Mohave City[2] Mojave City Mohave 1863 1938 Barren site A steamboat landing, mining and garrison town, absorbed into Fort Mojave Indian Reservation.[24]
Mowry[25] The Patagonia Mine Santa Cruz 1858 1880 Abandoned Originally 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 Mohave 1916 c. 1970 Abandoned 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 Mohave 1977 2005 Abandoned site An attempted revival occurred sometime after August 2008, but by April 2011, Nothing was marked as abandoned again.
Oatman Mohave 1902 Historic site
Obed Navajo 1876 1877 Barren site
Octave Yavapai Neglected site
Oro Blanco Santa Cruz 1873 1915 Neglected site
Oroville Oro Greenlee 1880 1882 Neglected site A farm community supporting Clifton.[29]
Pantano Pima 1858 c. 1956 Barren site
Paradise[2] Cochise 1901 1943 Barren site
Pedrick's – Yuma 1854 1879 ? Steamboat landing on the east bank of the Colorado River, just above the Sonora – Arizona border.
Piedmont Yavapai
Pearce Cochise 1896 1942 Semi-abandoned Mine Gold/silver workings, general store, cemetery and several occupied dwellings, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
Pinal City Pinal
Ray Pinal 1958
Reymert Pinal
Rosemont Pima Semi-abandoned Adobe walls at junction, old house now owned by Rosemont Mine. Soon to be destroyed by pit mine. Rosemont Mine
Ruby Montana Camp Santa Cruz 1870s 1941 Historic site 25 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 Pima Barren site
Salero Santa Cruz 1884 1890 Neglected site Old Bunkhouse and Assay Office, now off limits on private property (Gated)
Santa Claus Santa Claus Acres Mohave 1937
Sacaton (village) Pinal 1857 1880s Barren site One of the 19th century Maricopa villages among the Pima Villages
Sasco Pinal 1907 1920s Neglected site
Signal Mohave 1877 1932
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
Simmons Wilson, Williamson's Valley Yavapai 1871 1934 Barren site A stop on the Hardyville–Prescott Road, and a local post office.
Socatoon Station Pinal 1858 1870s Barren site Stagecoach station
Spenazuma Graham 1898 1899 Barren site
Stanton Antelope Station Yavapai 1863 1905 Historic site Owned and maintained by the Lost Dutchman Mining Association
Stanwix Station Flap Jack Ranch, Grinnell's Station Yuma 1858 1880s Barren site Stagecoach station. Site of the Skirmish at Stanwix Station, often considered the westernmost engagement of the American Civil War.
Stoddard[30][31][2]: 147  Yavapai 1882 1830s Neglected site Supported 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 Navajo 1876 1887 Abandoned site Only the cemetery remains today
Swansea[1][2] Signal La Paz 1908 1937 Abandoned site Maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.
Tiger[2] Schultz Pinal 1881 1954 Barren site All structures demolished
Tip Top Yavapai 1876
Total Wreck Pima 1879 c. 1890 Neglected site Smelter walls and mine still remain, small rock cabin foundation to south, filming location for movie Hombre
Tres Alamos Cochise 1874 1886 –
Twin Buttes Pima c. 1903 c. 1930 Barren site Buried under the Twin Buttes Mine. All that remains is the cemetery.
Vulture City Maricopa 1863 1942 Historic site Privately owned and operated as a tourist attraction
Washington Camp Santa Cruz 1880s 1920s Semi-abandoned site
Weaver Weaverville Yavapai 1863 1900 Neglected site
Webb Maricopa
White Hills Mohave
Wilford[32] Navajo 1883 1926 Barren site Loose rock foundations.
Wolf Hole Mohave
Zeniff[32] Navajo 1909 1940s Barren site Few walls precariously standing amid piles of wood and adobe rubble.

Images of ghost towns

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b Hanchett, Jr., Leland J. (1993). The Crooked Trail to Holbrook – An Arizona Cattle Trail (First ed.). Arrowhead Press. p. 163. ISBN 0963778501.

Further reading

External links

Lists of ghost towns in the United States by state
State of Arizona
Categories