Jerome State Historic Park and Historic Cottonwood

On Tuesday the 19th, we headed 4 miles west to Clarkdale and checked out the train depot. We have tickets for the noon departure on Thursday and wanted to be sure just where everything was. It gave us a good opportunity to check out the station when it was not crowded. Then we headed back onto Route 89-A the 4 additional miles to Jerome. Jerome is a ghost town, in the shadowy side of Mingus Mountain area. It began in 1876 when three propsectors staked clams on rich copper deposits. They sold out to a group which formed the United Verde Copper Company in 1883. The resultant mining camp of board and canvas shacks was named in honor of Eugene Jerome, the venture's principal baker. Hopes for the enterprise ran high, but the costs of operating, especially for transportation, outstripped profits, and the company folded in less than 2 years.

It took the vision and vast financial resources of a new owner to bring in a narrow guage railroad to reduce freight costs. By the early 20th century, the United Verde was the largest producing copper mine in the Arizona Territory. Jerome was becoming a frame and brick town. In 1912, James S Douglas purchased and began development of the Little Daisy Mine. At it's peak it produced over $1,000,000 and became known as the Billion Dollar Copper mine. Eventually it was played out after a large shaft was discovered under it's smelter. So the smelter was relocated at the base of the mountain which gave rise to Clarksville. When that was played out the population which had risen to 15,000 plummeted quickly and today this ghost town boasts a population of about 500. The Douglas Mansion was the former home of this owner of the mine and is now a museum devoted to history of the Jerome area and the Douglas family. It features exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and minerals in addition to a video presentation and a 3-D model of the town with its underground mines.

Another rather remarkable display at the museum was a scale train model situated in a scale model of Jerome made by a young 13 year old boy back in the day! The grounds outside showcases a collection of 1900's ore cars, Dr. Douglas' buggy inside the Carriage House and more. We returned to the campsite for some tasty Salmon cakes and Swiss chard then I was off to my meeting at the Kingdom Hall.

Wednesday the 20th, we walked a self guided tour of historic Cottonwood's downtown area. Beginning with Larry's Antiques. Five buildings and grounds full of interesting artifacts. We were able to pick up a few pieces of Petrified Wood here! Then a quick snack next door at a 50's era diner with old gas pumps and a shiny red vintage Plymouth under the overhang. It was a former gas station. It is beautifully restored and was a cool treat to have chocolate shakes and hand cut fries.

Then we strolled on down the street popping into and out of various shops. In one we saw a lovely large mirror topped with longhorns and it's frame was wrapped in overlapping cowboy boots. I figure 12 pairs were used in its making. It sure would look nice hanging in a cozy mountain cabin. At a bend in the road was a lovely outdoor stone patio with a triangular fire-pit situated into the site perfectly. It's part of a restaurant called Bocce's. It featured Italian fare with fresh ingredients and specialized in Stone Wood-fired pizzas. We shared one with a pitcher of icy cold Nut Brown Ale from Oak Creek Brewery. Then we trailed it on back to camp for an early night. "Going places with smiling faces!"