Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott
and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona.
Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining
camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community.
Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its
early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in
1899.
Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona
Territory. The population peaked at 15,000 in the 1920’s. The Depression
of the 1930’s slowed the mining operation and the claim went to Phelps
Dodge, who holds the claim today. World War II brought increased demand
for copper, but after the war, demand slowed. Dependent on the copper
market, Phelps Dodge Mine closed in 1953. The remaining 50 to 100 hardy
souls promoted the town as a historic ghost town. In 1967 Jerome was
designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today
Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist community with a population of
about 450.
Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and
produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Men and
women from all over the world made their way to Arizona to find work and
maybe a new way of life. Today the mines are silent, and Jerome has
become the largest ghost town in America.
Jerome’s personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once
a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome
is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community. It includes a
modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and
breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and
fallen-down-building landlords.
What is the Town of Jerome like today? Is it worth your time to visit?
The answer is a resounding yes! Jerome is an enchanting town, and a
photographer’s paradise. From its external appearances it hasn’t changed
much in nearly 100 years. Many of the buildings used by present-day
business folks are those built after the fires of 1894 and 1899. A
number of the buildings have been restored and more are planned for
restoration. Due to the 30-degree incline of the mountainside, gravity
has pulled a number of buildings down the slope. To the delight of some,
one of those buildings was the town’s jail. Those buildings still
standing make for interesting visiting and with a little research you
can find their historical significance. One notable section is the
“Cribs District.” You will find this area across the street from the
English Kitchen, in a back alley where all the buildings were are part
of Jerome’s ill-famed “prostitution row.”
1 comment:
your phone sure takes nice photos
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