6 Towns In Arizona That Were Frozen In Time
Arizona, a southwestern state known for its beautiful scenery (it’s home to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley), has also earned a reputation for its remarkably intact historical sites. Some of the best are to be found in a number of small Arizona towns that appear almost untouched by time, each providing a fascinating glimpse into the state’s frontier days. Take a drive through the “Grand Canyon State,” and you’ll come across settlements established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that feature perfectly preserved main streets, old mining sites, and fun celebrations that honor their origins. From ghost towns transformed into historical sites to towns with buildings dating back well over a century, these six towns capture the very essence of Arizona's storied past.
Bisbee
Established near the Mexican border in 1880, Bisbee rapidly became one of Arizona's most significant mining towns. The discovery of copper, gold, and silver attracted thousands of miners, and Bisbee quickly developed into a bustling hub for everything from mining supplies to banking and the railroad. The town’s main street is perfect for a stroll back in time and features landmarks like the historic Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum (established in 1912), which provides insight into the town’s past, complete with artifacts from the early 1900s. The Lavender Pit, an open-pit copper mine just outside the town, offers another look into Arizona’s mining legacy.
Bisbee also holds several events that celebrate its past. The best-known is the Bisbee 1000, aka the Great Staircase Run. This unique challenge sees competitors from far and wide tackle a 4.5-mile loop run that includes stairs, hills, and winding paths. The nearby Mule Mountains serve as a perfect scenic backdrop to this picturesque town and are popular with hikers.
Jerome
Jerome was founded in 1876 and was once known as the "Wickedest Town in the West" due to its booming mining operations and the ensuing influx of fortune-seekers. Set on Cleopatra Hill overlooking the Verde Valley just two hours north of Phoenix, enormous quantities of copper were mined here, resulting in a boom of Victorian-era construction. You can get a taste of that early prosperity at the Jerome State Historic Park, an excellent attraction housed in the former Douglas Mansion. Built in 1916, it features interesting details of Jerome’s mining history through its extensive exhibits. The town is also where you’ll find the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, featuring tools, old photos, and other artifacts from the early 1900s.
A good time to visit? Shoot for May when Jerome celebrates the past with its Historic Home and Building Tour. This unique experience allows access to preserved homes and commercial buildings from the mining era, many of which aren’t normally open to the public. A quirky spot is the Sliding Jail, built in 1905 and famous for having slid slowly downhill to its current resting spot 225 feet away from where it originated.
Tombstone
Here’s one you’ll definitely have heard of: Tombstone. Famous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Tombstone was established in 1879 and quickly grew as a silver mining town. The Bird Cage Theatre built in 1881, and the O.K. Corral itself remain intact, giving an authentic look into Tombstone's often rowdy Old West past. Take a walk down Allen Street, and you’ll even see original old saloons and other historic sites where lawmen and outlaws once clashed, including the Tombstone Courthouse, built in 1882 and now a State Historic Park.
Tombstone’s Helldorado Days celebrations are a great time to visit. Held each October, this fun three-day event commemorates the town’s legendary past with reenactments of legendary gunfights, including the infamous O.K. Corral shootout. The town’s location near the scenic Dragoon Mountains is another plus for those wanting to combine their love of history with a little outdoor adventure, including hiking and mountain biking
Globe
Founded in 1876, Globe emerged as a mining town after the discovery of silver. Historic structures like the 1906 Gila County Courthouse and the Holy Angels Catholic Church, built in 1918, stand as reminders of the town’s prosperous silver mining past. Globe’s downtown area includes multiple equally well-preserved buildings from the early 1900s, including the Elks Lodge and the Old Dominion Commercial Company building.
Globe celebrates its rich heritage with annual events like the Apache Jii Festival each October, a cultural gathering that honors the Apache influence in the region. Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, with its ancient Salado ruins, also highlights the town’s link to Native American history, while its location near the Pinal Mountains adds awesome scenic views and plenty of hiking fun to your itinerary.
Wickenburg
One of Arizona’s oldest towns, Wickenburg was founded in 1863 during the Gold Rush and makes for a fun stop for history buffs. Just an hour northwest of downtown Phoenix, remnants of the town’s gold mining past include the Vulture Mine, discovered by Henry Wickenburg and sparking a mining boom that attracted prospectors from across the United States. Notable historic landmarks that still stand include the 1909 Santa Fe Depot and the Jail Tree, where outlaws were tied if the town jail was full (as it often was). You can learn more about it and the town’s rich cowboy culture at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum with its artifacts and exhibits on early Arizona life.
Spring is a great time to visit thanks to Wickenburg’s Gold Rush Days event commemorating the town’s mining origins with rodeos, parades, and yes, even gold panning. The nearby Hassayampa River Preserve offers a glimpse into the region’s natural beauty, too, with trails winding through desert landscapes.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale was founded in 1912 as a company town by Senator William A. Clark to house workers from the nearby smelter in Jerome. Many original buildings remain, such as the Clark Memorial Clubhouse, completed in 1928, along with numerous early 20th-century structures located within the Clarkdale Historic District. You can also learn more about the town’s mining heritage at the Arizona Copper Art Museum with its impressive collection of artifacts crafted from copper mined nearby.
Situated along the Verde River, Clarkdale also offers access to the spectacular Verde Canyon Railroad, a wonderful scenic journey through Arizona’s rugged landscape past historic sites and impressive geological formations.
The Final Word
These six Arizona towns offer so much more than just a glimpse into the past as they actively preserve the events, structures, and culture that define them. From mining landmarks to annual events that celebrate their unique heritage, each of these old towns serves as a living reminder of Arizona’s fascinating early history. Visit any of these six towns in Arizona that are frozen in time, and you’ll witness the fact that history isn’t just a thing of the past; it lives on to this day.
