These Small Towns in Arizona Have the Best Historic Districts
Before Arizona was considered the Grand Canyon State we all know and love, the land was part of the Spanish and Mexican territories. It was eventually relinquished to the United States in 1848, but only earned its official state-status 64 years later in 1912. Since then, Arizona has become synonymous with its dry desert climate and world-famous Grand Canyon National Park.
But beyond its rugged natural beauty, Arizona is also a state draped in history. Its small towns preserve their past in a huge way, some drawing thousands, while others are more underrated. Many are former Gold Rush communities who proudly embrace their mining heritage, others championing the fascinating figures of the Wild West. Venture deep into the same mines that put these communities on the map, or the historic saloons to drink where outlaws drank. These Arizona towns and their historic districts keep the cowboy spirit alive.
Bisbee
Tucked away in the southeast pocket of Arizona, the underrated town of Bisbee invites you to experience its treasured mining history. This Old West mining community was founded in 1880, and the impacts of its booming industry can still be felt today. The Mule Mountains once lured prospectors hoping to “strike gold” as the saying goes, but copper, lead, silver, and zinc were also popular finds. Populations soared, mining flourished (gold alone nearing nearly 3 million ounces), and the town soon earned its nickname, “Queen of the Copper Camps”.
Stroll Old Bisbee to learn more about the town’s fascinating past at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. From here, continue down Main Street or the Brewery Gulch to sneak in some side road-views of Bisbee’s historic residences. Snag a free copy of the self-guided historic walking tour from the Chamber of Commerce to get the most out of your city stroll. For a guided excursion, Main Street will also take you to the Queen Mine Tour, one of the town’s top attractions. The massive 7-level mine operated from 1877 to 1975, and the tour will take you through some of its 143 winding passageways. Dress warm (the mines are pretty chilly), sport the tour-issued headlamps, and learn about the excavation process with retired miners as your guide. With around 50,000 visitors each year, this is by far one of the best ways to celebrate Bisbee’s rich and fascinating past.
Douglas
Around 30 minutes from Bisbee, along Mexico’s border, you can find Douglas, a desert oasis with a history that reaches back centuries. Once a popular spot for cattle roundups, this border town was eventually founded as a smelter site for Bisbee’s copper mines in 1901. But long before this, the area was inhabited by the region’s Native Americans, primarily the Chiricahua Apaches. This was followed by the Spanish explorers in the 18th century. So if you are looking for an Arizona town steeped in history, Douglas has you covered, and then some.
The town’s primary Historic District is just 1 of 4 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Along with various significant commercial and residential structures, you can spend the night in one of Douglas’ oldest accommodations: the Avenue Hotel Bed and Breakfast. The original half of the hotel (once a popular place for railroad workers) was built in 1901, and its authentic adobe architecture is breathtaking. Just 2 minutes away, you can stop by the Douglas-Williams House Museum to learn more about the area’s incredible history, ranging from its earliest days of settlement to its more recent mining past.
For a more upscale historic stay, another 2 minutes up the road will bring you to Hotel Gadsden, Douglas’ crown gem. The hotel originally opened its doors just 6 years after the Avenue in 1907, and served as a gathering place for miners, ranches, and businessmen alike. Your entrance through the grand marble lobby will set the tone for your stay. With luxury at every corner, this hotel is a gorgeous slice of history with modern amenities. Savor features like the on-site 333 Cafe and Saddle & Spur Tavern to cover your needs from morning till night, mingling past and present.
Prescott
With a population of just under 47,000 residents, Prescott is an even larger historic mining town with even more to see and do. High in the Ponderosa Pines of Prescott National Forest, the town grants you access to more than 400 miles of hiking trails. But downtown Prescott is the best place to walk back in time, with 2 main historic districts located off Gurley Street. Both feature a myriad of historic homes to explore, many flaunting their Victorian roots.
Back in the main downtown area, try out one of Arizona’s most unique bar hopping experiences. Whisky Row (as the locals call it) is a full block of historic turn-of-the-century bars and saloons. It was re-constructed after a fire consumed the area in 1900, and proudly displays some of Prescott’s greatest historic landmarks. Places like The Palace Restaurant and Saloon (originally built in 1877) were rebuilt after the fiery disaster, and from then on, have hosted names like Theodore Roosovelt. Today, the saloon has maintained much of its authenticity. Enter through the swinging saloon doors and keep an eye out for the surviving bullet holes preserved from the frantic firings of the Wild West.
Tombstone
Once home to over 100 saloons, the friendly town of Tombstone may be smaller today, but its Wild West background is still alive and thriving. In its heyday, the town was one of Arizona’s fastest growing towns thanks to its prominent silver mining industry, and people came from near and far for a shot at the town’s wealth. Try the Good Enough Mine Tour to venture 100-feet-below ground in the same passageways taken by miners during the 1880’s.
If you want to get your money’s worth, the company’s Mine & Trolley combo is a great way to see the entire town. For $30 USD, you not only get access to the mine tours, but can also take the 6-mile trolley ride to see Tombstone’s historic district. See and learn about over 55 landmarks, ranging from an outlaw graveyard to a historic two-story courthouse. The OK Corral can also be seen from the tour, but you may just want to view this famous attraction on foot. It was here that one of the most iconic Wild West shootouts took place, all in a matter of 30 seconds. Stand at the site and view an iconic reenactment where nearly 30 shots were fired in a gunbattle between lawmen and cowboys, leaving 3 dead. One of which, being outlaw Billy Clanton, a member of the infamous Clanton gang.
Williams
6,770-feet high in the Kaibab National Forest, the town of Williams offers a gateway to history and adventure. It was founded in 1882 and gained its name from the volcanic peak looming above the town: Bill Williams Mountain. But its more famous natural attraction would be where it gets its nickname, the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”. Williams, the final town on Historic Route 66 off Interstate 40, is just 60 miles away from Grand Canyon National Park. With the famous canyon this close by, and an expansive historic district in town, Williams benefits from a booming tourist industry year-round.
Like many other Arizona towns, Williams boasts a vibrant Old West heritage, along with ties to mining, ranching, and the railroad industry. A ride through Arizona’s high country on the Grand Canyon Railway is a great way to experience Williams and the surrounding area in an exciting way, and is also a great car-less travel option if you are hoping to sight-see at the National Park. In town, the Historic Downtown District stretches across 6 square blocks. Historic buildings are plentiful here, with one of the best examples being the Cabinet Saloon whose walls have stood since 1895, surviving 3 separate fires between 1901-1908. The saloon, once catering to railroad workers, ranchers, and cowboys, now houses the Historic Brewing Barrel & Bottle House. To extend your historic stroll, stop in for a quick chat at the Visitor Center for a free map and visitor’s guide to learn more about the Downtown Historic Walking Tour.
Florence
On the Gila River in the heart of Arizona, you can find Florence, one of the oldest towns in Arizona. Established way back in 1866, this Sonoran Desert community is home to some of the state’s best historic structures, and the downtown area was deemed a National Historic District for this very reason. Victorian architecture is a key feature, visible in structures like the Second Pinal County Courthouse, built in 1891. Adobe architecture is another staple, some dating as far back as 1868. In total, Florence’s historic district has an impressive 140 historic buildings, making this one of Arizona’s best hidden historical gems, tucked away off the beaten path.
Visit the Pinal County Historical Museum to learn more about Florence and the surrounding area. Exhibits feature anything from a more family-friendly history like a living room set made entirely of cactuses, to a more brutal (yet fascinating) side of history, like the real double electric chair or Tunnel Saloon shootout exhibit. All in all, Florence may be small but its history is huge, and the town makes for a great day trip or pitstop. It is located just 45 minutes from 2 megacities (Phoenix and Tucson) making this an unrivaled chance to escape the city for an easygoing look at the region’s preserved western heritage.
Wickenburg
Wickenburg is another desert town within an hour’s drive from Phoenix, making it a popular getaway spot for city dwellers looking to experience an authentic western getaway. For over a hundred years, Wickenburg’s local ranchers have welcomed paying guests into their bunkhouses, and this persisting tradition is why the town is considered the “Dude Ranch Capital of Arizona”. And although things are a bit less rough around the edges compared to back then, these historic ranches still offer a sublime blend of authenticity and comfort. Simply put, you can live out your cowboy fantasies during the day and experience the luxuries of updated amenities at night.
Ranches like Rancho de los Caballeros have offered thrilling equestrian experiences for over 75 years. Along with daily horse runs (where you can watch the professional wranglers guide the horses to the open pasture), riding adventures are a favored ranch experience. With 20,000 acres of desert to traverse, the paths are endless and you can ride the same trails taken during the days of the Wild West.
Back in town, Wickenburg’s historic district is a true reflection of its western beginnings. Like many of the other Arizona towns on this list, the community’s population swelled when their local mine (in this case, the Vulture Mine) struck gold. Today, Wickenburg’s Wild West era lives on in attractions like the Jail Tree, a mature mesquite tree once used to chain up lawbreakers and outlaws. For a more optimistic look at Wickenburg’s mining history, mosey on over to the town’s Historic Downtown to take in the charming century-old, saloon-style architecture.
From Bisbee’s Queen Mine Tours to Wickenburg’s authentic dude ranches, Arizona’s small towns embrace a time of hope, when visions of gold and silver lured miners and cowboys by the thousands. For the same reason movies love to depict these rugged characters and their adventures, Arizona’s small towns celebrate the spirited life of the Wild West. And while not everyone struck gold back then, today these towns serve as a rich reminder of a fierce era that played a crucial role in the shaping of America.
