Jerome is an interesting place, and certainly worth a visit.
In 1876, one of the largest copper deposits in Arizona was found on the side of this mountain overlooking the Verde River valley. The mine grew and grew, and by 1929 there were 15,000 people living on the side of the mountain in the new mining town of Jerome, Arizona.
But all mining operations closed down in 1953, and by 1955 less than 50 people remained.
Now, there are about 400 year round residents and it's become a touristy artsy community that's really busy on weekends.
The whole town is built on the side of the mountain.
There is a large, free, level parking area just north of town at GPS 34.753143, -112.119773. But it's day use only, and the signs specifically say "No overnight parking or camping". Too bad, because it would have been perfect.
But, it was a perfect place to park to walk around town, so that's what we did.
Walking towards Jerome from the free parking area.
On the left is an expensive looking hotel, and on the right is a mansion built with mining money that is now a state historic park.
Lots of interesting bars, cafes, and art galleries along the main drag.
And lots of leftovers from a more prosperous time.
Some really interesting places!
Notice the rebuilt places right beside the ruins.
The Jerome police dept?
The Spirit Room...a popular bar.
Sure enough, there's live music being played. Not too busy mid afternoon though.
We had spotted one possible overnight location on the road down towards the state historic park. But we decided to check out the overnight possibilities less than a mile up the road at the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town. Sounds interesting!
Only .7 miles (1 km) from the big upper parking lot, along that same road. By the time we got there it was close to 4:00pm, and they close at 5:00pm. I asked the girl in their office if we could park overnight and explore the mine and ghost town in the morning. She said she would have to ask the owner and she got on the phone and called him. He came down to talk to me. One of the most interesting characters we've ever met, and we can't wait to tell you all about him in the next post!
Yes, he let us park overnight, but we're also going to pay the $5 each to visit the mine and ghost town. And it's worth it!
Sherman, parked up for the night at the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town.
GPS 34.757017, -112.13065
Probably room for 50 RV's to park up here if you are brave enough to drive the road!
We wanted to stop there before we arrived in Phoenix, but the weather was terrible there. On our list of next time. The town looks so cute.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to find the time when you are in this area again. It is a very interesting town and if you love looking in shops and galleries than you will have lots to keep you busy plus the drive here is so pretty, especially if you come in from the Prescott.
DeleteCan't wait for tomorrow's post!
ReplyDeleteBoth Don Robertson and the Gold King Mine are interesting. I am sure you would love it here Chris.
DeleteThanks for the flash back, it has been quite awhile since we were there:)
ReplyDeleteGlad to bring back some great memories for you!
DeleteJerome is one of my fav little towns in AZ. We stay in the haunted hotel that use to be a hospital. Lots of interest ing stories about the buildings and the people that use to live in Jerome long ago.
ReplyDeleteI bet that must have been and interesting stay. It would have been fun to hear all those stories about the town and it's people from so long ago.
DeleteWe toured that mine and Ghost town when were were there. March 2009. And a sales pitch guy wanted us to take a vacation property presentation. So we arrange the sales pitch in Sedona ( 90 minutes was all it took) , of course we said no. But for attending this we got free coffee and donuts then 2 first class tickets on the Verde Canyon Railroad Wilderness train, a $79.95 value each for free. In the dining care included lunch and full narrated. Was excellent.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy The area.
We never met any time share/vacation property people while we were there, guess they knew they wouldn't get a sale from us.
DeleteWe are going to be doing that train ride today though. Looking forward to it.
cool looking little town... will have to check it out some day down the road...
ReplyDeleteI think you and Sharon would love this place and make sure you do the drive from Prescott to Clarkdale or at least to Jerome on the 89A, in your car, it is a gorgeous drive.
DeleteWe loved the Gold King Mine. Make sure you ask him to fire up the big monster 3 cylinder engine!
ReplyDeleteYep, it is a very interesting place and he is a very interesting man. Would love to have seen Big Bertha run but they want $10 first and we weren't ready to fork that money over.
DeleteYou two are the prime example of how "it never hurts to ask" works - great deal!
ReplyDeleteYou don't know, if you don't ask. :-)
DeleteWe enjoyed our visit there many years ago around Holloween. They go all out for it! Not sure I'd want to drive all those switchbacks again though to get there and back down.
ReplyDeleteI bet that would have been something to see at Halloween. It would be a very appropriate town for that!
DeleteWe love driving on the mountain roads so the switchbacks would have been fine with us, we just think about the gas we use up going up some of those steep grades.