The Mingus
Mountain Scenic Road was designated on May 13, 1992, by the Arizona Department
of Transportation.
We took Route
89A it started climbing as soon as we left the Verde Valley. Along most of the
Mingus Mountain Scenic Road you'll be driving with steep cliff on one side,
steep drop-off on the other. The road still twists and turns as it ascends
through this mostly red-colored canyon but you'll also find a few more turnouts
and increasing signs of old mining activities. At one point, you'll see the old
wooden water flume that carried water from the mountain top to the city of
Jerome in the old days. As soon as it looks like the road might straighten out,
you'll be arriving in Jerome. On the way up as we passed through Jerome we
reached Forest 104 Route and took that. Tim told us, this route used to be
dirt, but was paved several years ago. We are glad it is paved!
Our ultimate
goal is the Mingus Mountain Vista, which is located in the cool pines atop
Mingus Mountain. It offers a picnic area with spectacular view of the Verde
Valley, the red rocks of Sedona, Humphrey’s Peak in Flagstaff, and the Mogollon
Rim. Too bad, there was some haze in the air today … we could not see that far!
In this area
there is a place people can hang glide off this face of the mountain. Mingus
Hang Glider Launch Specialized Sport Site. No one jumping today. But it gave us
the thrill of standing close to where they jump from. But, it is not for me!
Jerome was
founded in 1876 and named a US Centennial City in 1976. Once home to the
wealthiest mine in the world owned by one man, the whole town was declared a
National Historic Landmark in 1967. At its peak, it was the third largest town
in Arizona, with the population peaking at around 15,000 in the 1920’s.
The boom town
was called the Wickedest City in the West in 1903. A local count showed 37
bars, 13 bordellos, and four churches, which the locals thought was just about
right. Jerome was the largest producer of copper, gold, and silver in Arizona. The
Great Depression slowed the mining operation and the claim eventually went to
Phelps Dodge, who still holds the claim to this day. World War II greatly
increased the demand for copper, but after the war demand decreased dramatically.
With Jerome’s economy completely dependent upon the demand for copper, Phelps
Dodge Mine closed in 1953. The remaining population of around 50 to 100 people
promoted the town as a historic ghost town.
Beginning in
the 1960s, the town was restored with historic accuracy and revitalized as an
arts community. Today Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist hub with a
population of around 450 people. Jerome resides above what was once the largest
copper mine in Arizona which was producing an astonishing 3 million pounds of
copper per month. The United Verde Copper Company formed in 1883 and with several changes in ownership, it grew to be the largest producing copper mine in the Arizona Territory by the early 20th century. Men and women from all over the world made their way to
Arizona to find work and perhaps a new way of life. Today the mines may be
silent, but Jerome has found new life as the largest ghost town in America.
Once a thriving mining camp full of miners, bootleggers, gamblers, and
prostitutes, now a bustling tourist destination full of artists, musicians, and
gift shop proprietors.
Jerome hasn't
forgotten its history. The Jerome State Historic Park and the Douglas Mansion provides a look at the lifestyle
of one of the wealthy mine owners 100 years ago. Here you learn about copper, one of the five c's that helped found Arizona. The other four are cattle, citrus, climate and cotton. The Douglas Mansion has been a Jerome landmark since 1916, when James S Douglas built it on the hill above his Little Daisey Mine.
In August 27, 1962, the Parks Board concluded negotiations with Lewis Douglas and his brother, James Douglas, for the conveyance of the Douglas Mansion and 2.43 acres of land to the State for park purposes.
We visited visited
the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town while in Jerome Arizona.
The history here is rich and there are
stories to be told.
It all began in
1890, when they dug a 1270 foot mine shaft, searching for copper, they struck
GOLD!
The location was only 1 mile north
of the mining town, Jerome, but they became their own mining camp called
“Haynes”.
In 1901, the population was
30!
They even had their own post office
from 1908 – 1922.
Or course,
the gold ran out and the mine was closed.
Years later, 91 years later to be exact, the area was rediscovered by
Terry & Don Robertson.
The year was
1981 and Dons’ dream was to share with the world some of the most unique and
important icons of the industrial revolution.
Sadly, in
October of 2017 Don Robertson passed away, but the legacy lives on. Don’s
legacy of unique creativity in vintage transportation, and the art of painting
old rusty things like saws, ax heads and milk cans making anything old and
rusty look beautiful, is still a highlight of the tour today.
The
property is filled with vintage transportation: over 180 cars, trucks &
motorcycles, including Studebaker’s and Harley’s.
There is
mining equipment, historic buildings and a Stamp Mill that was used for
crushing the ore.
There is a working
sawmill and Blacksmith shop with gold panning and a petting zoo for the kids,
and adults too!
We went to
dinner with Tim at Steak ‘n Stuff. We were headed to Nick’s Italian &
Steak, but they did not open until 5pm and Charlie was hungry at 4pm!
Since we were
early, there were not many customers and we were seated and served right away.
We chose this venue, because Charlie was hankering steak. We all got steak, but
three different cuts! They had a special called Verde style New York Strip,
topped with green chilies and caramelized cheddar jack cheese. It sounded
delicious and I ordered that! Charlie got a Top Sirloin and Tim had a Rib Eye.
It was all delicious!
It was a great day, but a bitter sweet night as we say "see ya later" to Tim. It was great to spend some quality time with him in "his hood!"
#TwoLaneAdventures
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