Jerome, AZ
- Hannah Dollarhide
- Sep 10, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 26, 2020
“The Wickedest Town in the West” (1).
When you think of ghost towns, there is truly only one place in Arizona that stands out and that is the city of Jerome. Founded in 1876, Jerome was built on Cleopatra Hill (1). It grew as the Spanish attempted at digging for gold, but instead found copper (1). Jerome has a colorful history as the town was made up of Americans, Croatians, Irish, Spanish, Italians and Chinese seeking wealth (2). Known as the darling of promoters and investors, Jerome was “nourish and exploited by financiers” who had the prospectors and miners bring forth the riches from its depths (2). Despite fires and landslides, the town continued to be rebuilt (2). As life continued to eb and flow throughout the country, Jerome closed its mines in 1953 (2). The town population went from 15,000 to 50, turning it into a ghost town (2). The town received its name from Eugene Murray Jerome, a New York investor who, supposedly, never even visited the town (3). In the 1960s, Jerome was refurbished to historical accuracy (4). The town was named a National Historical Landmark in 1967 and a US Centennial City in 1976 (4).
Jerome, Arizona is approximately a two-hour drive from Arizona State’s Tempe Campus (Google Maps). To get to Jerome, it is simplest to drive yourself. Get together with your friends and make it a fun day trip!
Things to Do
The Douglas Mansion (The Jerome State Historical Park) – this museum, named after James S. Douglas, contains mining artifacts and exhibits about this turn of the century. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $7 to enter (5)
The Mine Museum – opened in the 1950s, the displays showcase Jerome’s history to present times. There is old mining equipment, remnants of gambling and a saloon, an old Chinese washing machine, local household goods, and a pistol that Marshal Johnny Hudgens shot at vigilantes on Main Street. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and costs $2 (6).
The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town – come see over 180 vintage vehicles including cars, motorcycles and more! There is also a working sawmill, blacksmith shop, gold panning and a petting zoo. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs S7 to enter (7).
The Jerome Indie Film Festival – taking place in late September or early October, the festival screens independent films in unexpected places throughout Jerome, like the side of a train, at a brewery, in a haunted gold mine, or a hilltop residence. The festival takes place over the course of four days (8)
While I haven’t been able to visit Jerome yet, it is on my bucket list. The history behind the town intrigues me and I am excited to take a trip up there soon.
“Is the town currently sliding downhill? The locals swear if you watch closely, you can see it move” (3).
Comments