29 Ghost Towns You Can Visit in Arizona

An abandoned home in the American desert

Ghost Towns of the Wild West

Arizona and its "wild west" history conjure up images of dusty old mining towns, deserted and long-forgotten. The state is dotted with ghost towns, many of which can be visited today.

These towns were once bustling with people, but now they’re eerily quiet.. and often, very eerie. Still, they offer a glimpse into Arizona's rich and fascinating history. And while some of these towns are no longer inhabited, they are still well worth a visit.

If you want to explore Arizona’s ghost towns in depth, check out many of the comprehensive guides on Amazon: Arizona Ghost Towns
and also the Images of America Series of Books for Arizona

1. Bisbee - Cochise County, Arizona

Bisbee, in Cochise County, Arizona, got its name from an investor from San Francisco, Judge DeWitt Bisbee. While it's not a complete ghost town and still has inhabitants, it gives you the feel of being a ghost town at times.

Mining in Bisbee more or less got its start when John Dunn found veins of copper in the Mule Mountains. So he had a friend, George Warren, stake a claim on his behalf and work the mine for a share of the copper profits. This was because John Dunn was in the army at the time.

Not long after, George Warren told people he knew about the mine and then went on to buy claims also. Some of them bought up parts of the claims that John Dunn already owned. So after John Dunn was able to visit his claim, he found out about this. Upset by this information, he sold his claim for around $4,000.

Later on, George Warren put his claim upon a bet that he'd win a foot race, which he lost. That claim became well-known. It received the name "Copper Queen" since it produced millions in copper mining over decades.

The mine ended up closing in 1975.

2. Bumble Bee - Yavapai County, Arizona

Bumble Bee began as a U.S. Cavalry outpost in 1863 and, not long after, developed as a stagecoach line stop. In 1879, the town also opened its own post office. However, the town itself didn't thrive as mining opportunities were almost non-existent in the area of the town. Most of the mining was in the form of "placer mining." The deposits of gold, given the method needed to mine the gold, turned out to be too expensive for any of the settlers to do.

Bisbee, Arizona, Main Street - uploader Willjay at English Wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

The town survived for a while after that, but by 1930, the town was a ghost town. The buildings left on the site of Bumble Bee are now a mix of original buildings and reconstructions. Many of the reconstructions were from failed tourist-attracting endeavors by previous owners.

3. Cordes - Yavapai County, Arizona

John Henry Cordes formed the town of Cordes in 1883 after buying the stage station there. Being near Antelope Creek, he looked to call it Antelope Station, but the name was already taken. So he went with naming the town after his family name, Cordes. The outpost found success in that it provided supplies and banking for miners coming to the area.

Later on, the town provided services to sheep drivers moving their sheep to seasonal ranges. As for it turning into a ghost town, the post office ended up closing back in 1944. The town itself closed in the 1950s after the Black Canyon Freeway bypassed the area. So the Cordes family built a gas station and restaurant near the freeway and called it Cordes Junction.

The gas station shut down in 1973, and it is still there today, along with a house, some old cars, and a barn. It's said that some of the Cordes family still live on the site.

Sedona Mountains in Yavapai County, Arizona

4. Cleator - Yavapai County, Arizona

Cleator was another unsuccessful gold mining town. After its founding in 1864, it was originally known as Turkey Creek or Turkey Creek Mining District. By 1869, the town had opened its post office, but the town didn't fare so well and ended up abandoned until 1901.

That is when Levrett P. Nellis took it upon himself to build a saloon and store on the land. He also reopened the post office. After the railroad came through the area, it gave a little boost to the town. James Cleator then bought the town from Nellis, and around 1925, roughly a decade later, he renamed the town after himself.

Throughout the rest of the 1920s, the town's population began to shrink, and mines started to close up. James Cleator ended up putting the town up for sale around April 1949. His son Thomas ended up buying the property, and he ran a small bar there for decades.

Thomas died in 1996 and the property was handed down to his sister Eleanor and her son. They now run the bar. Many of the original buildings of the town are still there. They include the old school, the store, and many other buildings.

Cleator, Arizona - General Store and Bar

By Nic Lindh [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

5. Chloride - Mohave County, Arizona

The 'ghost town' of Chloride got its name from the discovery of silver chloride ore made in the area in the 1860s. Only a few years later, by 1864, the town and its mining operations became more active. By 1873, the town got a post office.

In 1900, the population of Chloride was over 2,000. Yet, by the 1940s, the mines were beginning to close down and residents began moving out of the town. Of course, some residents stayed in the town and it still has some residents today. The post office is still open as well, and many of the original buildings are still there.

Chloride Town Center - (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Cowans Gap State Park

Cowans Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre Pennsylvania state park nestled in Fulton and Franklin Counties, offering some of the best Pennsylvania hiking and family camping experiences. The park is named for John Cowan, who operated a sawmill on Cowans Gap in the late 18th century and is in one of the earliest settled areas in this region of Pennsylvania. For more information about the park, visit the official PA DCNR page. The park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities including family camping, Pennsylvania hiking trails, fishing, and boating. Skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing are also available in the winter. All around, Cowans Gap is a great place to take your family to enjoy a day of adventure and explore nature trails. No matter the time of year, the park provides both seasonal and year-round outdoor activities

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The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Cowans Gap Lake at Cowans Gap State Park

Cowans Gap State Park History

During the French and Indian War, Colonel James Burd was stationed in Cowans Gap. He and his troops were constructing Burd's Road from Shippensburg to Braddock Road. Major General Edward Braddock and his troops were the workers who constructed Braddock Road. Braddock's defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela, east of Fort Duquesne, resulted in Burd's Road never being completed by them. Braddock and over 500 of his troops were killed in that battle.

Work on the road resumed a few years later, when the British were attempting to retake the Ohio River Valley from the French. This resulted in the construction of Forbes Road under the leadership of General John Forbes. The road was completed successfully, and the French and their allies were driven out of western Pennsylvania.

Cowans Gap got its name not long after the Revolutionary War ended, when John and Mary Cowan settled in the area. In 1775, John Samuel Cowan and Mary Mueller had met in Boston. John was a loyalist, whereas Mary was a patriot. This caused friction because Mary's family did not want her to marry John.

Despite her family's objections, they eloped. All of this occurred after John returned from war where he served as a British Army soldier. Their wagon broke down, and as a result they ended up at Cowans Gap. John traded his horses, as well as the wrecked wagon, with a chief of the Tuscarora in exchange for land at Cowans Gap. They built their home on Forbes Road.

From 1783 through 1885, iron furnaces were operating in the area. Harrison Kalbach purchased timber and land rights in 1893 for a total of 4,800 acres, and trees were cut down and sold for lumber. His company also constructed a railroad of wooden rails to facilitate the transportation of the lumber to markets. Around 1907, a considerable amount of the old-growth forest was cut down and destroyed, and the resulting erosion damage was extensive.

Beginning around 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps started to remediate the area's environmental destruction. Thousands of acres of trees were planted as part of a forestry initiative. They also constructed thirty miles of road, thirty-two miles of fire paths (13 miles of which are still in use), four bridges, and eleven miles of telephone lines. Cabins, pavilions, brush clearing, and the dam which created Cowans Gap Lake were completed. Cowans Gap State Park was established in 1937 as a result of these subsequent environmental efforts and developments, creating what is today a premier destination for outdoor recreation, Pennsylvania hiking, and family camping.

By courane01 (Bridge over icy water) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Bridge in the Cowans Gap State Park Family Cabin Historic District

With its yellow blooms, the tulip popular is an impressive, beautiful tree.

Africa images via Canva Pro

What Is a Tulip Tree?

The tulip poplar is also known as the tulip tree or the yellow poplar. It is a hardwood tree that's native to most of the eastern United States. It is not a true poplar tree but instead is a member of the magnolia tree family.

Impressive Towering Giants

Key Facts at a Glance:

Height: 70-100 feet on average, with records up to 190 feet
Lifespan: Longer than most fast-growing trees, can live for centuries
Growth Rate: Fast-growing, gaining several feet per year when young
Type: Hardwood tree, member of the magnolia family (not a true poplar)
Native Range: Eastern United States
Best Growing Conditions: Low shade to full sun with well-drained, moist soil

In some regions of the United States, tulip poplars can reach heights of 160 feet and higher. There have been records of tulip poplar trees reaching heights of up to 190 feet. Yet most of them will, on average, reach heights of 70 to 100 feet. The tulip poplar is also a quick-growing tree. A plus for the tulip poplar is that it tends to live longer than other fast-growing trees. It's also a hardwood, which many fast-growing trees are not.

The trees flourish best in low shade/full sun with well-drained soil. Young tulip poplars are vulnerable to damage from vines of wild grapes. The vines can weigh the tree down. They can also decrease the amount of sunlight that reaches the young tulip poplars. Poison ivy and other vines pose the same threat to damaging the tree.

Blossoms of Elegance

Flower Characteristics:

Bloom Time: Spring in southern regions, June in northern areas
Age to First Bloom: Trees begin flowering at 10-15 years of age
Colors: Pale green to yellow petals with orange-colored segments at the base
Rare Variation: Occasionally white flowers appear
Shape: Tulip-shaped petals that give the tree its name
Nectar Production: Abundant nectar (about a tablespoon per flower) attracts bees and hummingbirds
Honey: Prized by beekeepers for producing rich, flavorful tulip poplar honey

The flowers of a tulip poplar tree tend to show in the spring in southern regions of the United States. Meanwhile, in more northern regions, they bloom later in spring, in June. The trees begin to show their first blooms within ten to fifteen years of age. The colors of the tree's flowers can be pale green or yellow. The coloring may be dependent on the temperature of the region and many other factors. There have also been occurrences of the flowers on a tulip poplar tree being white in color. This is a rare occurrence, though, and is not uniform across the tree's blooms. The flowers also have an orange-colored segment.

The appearance of the flowers is where the tree gets its name since its petals resemble tulips. The amount of nectar produced can be around a tablespoon per flower, and this is why the tree is popular with beekeepers. The nectar is also popular because it also contributes to the rich and strong flavor of poplar honey.

Striped maple (goosefoot maple)

By Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses

Striped Maple Trees

Here is some basic info you should know about striped maple trees.

How Big Will a Striped Maple Grow?

The striped maple, also known as the goosefoot maple, moosewood, and whistlewood, is a small maple that can grow to heights of between 15 to 35 feet. Many of the trees do reach heights above 30 feet, though. One of the tallest striped maples ever documented was 65 feet tall. It had a circumference of four feet and six inches. It was discovered in the area of Black Mountain, in Kentucky, in the early part of the 1900s (before 1920). It is also a high-priority tree for conservation in many states. (Source: USDA Forest Service

It is a maple that is also preferable as a shade tree over a timber tree.

When Do Striped Maples Bloom?

The striped maple can flower anywhere between late spring into early summer. Flowering occurs when the leaves of the tree are nearly grown to their full size.

What Do the Flowers Look Like?

The flowers themselves are bell-shaped and are a green-yellow color. The buds of a striped maple are a red-maroonish color. The seeds change to a brown-tan color later on, around the time when the tree matures in early autumn.

Where Do Striped Maples Grow?

As for the regions where it grows, the striped maple is mainly found in Southeastern Canada, the Northeastern United States, and throughout parts of the Appalachian region. It has been seen growing in the wild as far south as Georgia. The tree can also be found in forested regions of Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, and a few other states. (Learn more: USDA Plants Database

Leaves, Bark, and Colors

One of the unique features of the striped maple is the appearance of its leaves and its bark. The leaves can be up to seven inches long and are shaped like the foot of a goose, which is where the alternate name of the tree, goosefoot maple, comes from. The bark of the tree is striped—the origin of the tree's name—and the striping is especially noticeable in the young bark with its green and thin white striping and streaks. As the tree gets older, the bark changes to a brown-grey-like color.

Plant Image Library, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Growing Striped Maples From Seeds

Like other maples, this tree develops 'winged' seeds, which can be collected and used to grow new trees in a manner similar to other breeds of maple trees, with the environment where the tree is planted being the difference. However, success rates can be low even for professional and experienced tree growers. Regardless, it's still worth trying if you find a striped maple that you want to grow on your property. Like with most trees, the "easiest" way is to use the cold stratification method, which can be the most successful method of preparing the seeds for growth. (For more information: University of Maine Extension

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Growing Requirements of Striped Maples

• The best environment for a striped maple is in the shade, not in full sun, and planted in well-drained soil.

• The tree also thrives better in an environment with moisture, but not standing water, in the soil. This is like what is typical of a dense forest and many glens.

• When grown in partial shade, the tree is more likely to reach its maximum height. While in shaded areas, it'll have an appearance similar to a shrub.

• The tree is very beneficial to wildlife in terms of food, habitat, and other benefits. Rabbits and hares, squirrels, deer, and moose being just some of the wildlife that feeds on parts of the striped maple. So the young trees may require some protection from wild animals, but they will be perfectly fine once the tree is larger.

Here's everything you need to know about the red maple tree.

Photo by Yoksel

About the Red Maple

The red maple tree gets its name from, as you would have guessed, the intense red color of its leaves in autumn. The tree is also known as the scarlet maple, the swamp maple, and the water maple. The red color of its leaves in autumn makes it an attractive tree that will certainly stand out on any property.

Along with the color of its leaves, the buds, seeds, and new branches of the red maple also have a red tone. Red maples can vary in color from yellow, orange, and/or red during autumn. To have the best chance of getting a red maple that has red leaves in autumn would be by buying the red maple variety called Red Sunset. Another way to get the right variety of red maple, with leaves that run red in autumn, is by visiting a local nursery. You'll be supporting a local business that'll work to get the exact variety of red maple that you're looking for.

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As for the regions that it grows in, the red maple is a very common native tree that grows throughout much of North America. The red maple can grow as far north as Southern Newfoundland, as far south as Florida, and as far west as eastern Texas. Red maples are most abundant in the Middle Atlantic states, New England states, Northeast Wisconsin, and the upper regions of Michigan.

It is a tree that can grow in many environments. This includes swampy areas in soils with fewer nutrients, dry soils, and other conditions. Due to this, it can quickly take over when it's planted in forests that have been disturbed, which can be a minus when it comes to other varieties of maples and other types of trees. This is because it can disrupt their spread and reduce the diversity of forests that are recovering from logging and other human activity.

Some consider it to be, in these instances, an invasive species of maple. It is also seen as a poor tree for forests due to having a higher possibility of defects. Defects include tree and trunk damage and cracking as the tree gets larger and/or older.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) in the New Botanical Garden Marburg in Hesse, Germany

WillowWikimedia Commons, CC0

Traits of Red Maple Trees

Some varieties of red maple can reach heights of up to 120 feet in better environments. Most red maples will typically be shorter, though, reaching anywhere from 40-60 feet in height or so. The height the tree reaches is dependent upon the region where it is grown and the variety of red maple. It is very useful as a shade tree in lawns, parks, and many public places. They can tolerate flooding with little to no damage to the tree or its leaves. It can also withstand droughts by temporarily suspending growth to conserve water.

Due to its size, with the way its roots spread and grow, you should plan out a good place for your red maple beforehand. Mainly a place where it won't bother sidewalks, underground pipes, and other structures. The roots of the red maple can be thick and tend to grow near the ground surface at around nine to ten inches down. Depending on the size of the root along with the age of the tree, this can be a minor obstacle when mowing your lawn though that's typically only a problem in older trees.

Chinese chestnut tree

The Chinese chestnut tree, a remarkable member of the beech family, stands tall and proud as a symbol of natural beauty and resilience. Native to East Asia, this deciduous tree captivates gardeners and farmers with its practical uses. With attractive foliage and edible nuts, the Chinese chestnut tree is a valuable addition to most landscapes. Chinese chestnut trees thrive in both dry and wet soils, reflecting their adaptability. These remarkable trees have excellent cold tolerance, enduring frigid temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Chinese chestnut tree is known for its medium-sized stature, typically reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet. Its elegant appearance showcases a slender trunk supporting a gracefully rounded canopy. The tree's leaves are oblong and don a rich, dark green hue. A delightful sight to behold, this magnificent tree adorns itself with tiny, brown chestnuts nestled within their protective prickly shells.

Easy to maintain, the Chinese chestnut suits gardeners of all levels Not only does it possess the ability to flourish in less fertile soils, but it also exhibits remarkable resilience in the face of droughts and floods. While the tree thrives best under full sun exposure, it can still thrive when provided with partial shade. When planting this magnificent tree, ensure ample space is allocated to allow for its optimal development and growth.

The Most Common Chestnut Tree Species

	Chinese Chestnut	Japanese Chestnut	American Chestnut
Scientific Name	Castanea mollissima	Castanea crenata	Castanea dentata
Height	40–60 ft	30–50 ft	100 ft and higher
Spread	40–60 ft	30–40 ft	60–80 ft
Leaves	Simple, alternating, toothed; 3–8 in long and 1–3 in wide	Simple, alternating, toothed; 3–7 in long and 1–2 in wide	Simple, alternating, toothed; 5–8 in long and 3–4 in wide
Flowers	Catkins, 1–7 in long	Catkins, 2–7 in long	Catkins, 6–8 in long
Fruits	Spiny cupules with a diameter of 1–3 in. 2 to 3 nuts .5–1 in in diameter	Spiny cupules, 3 to 7 nuts.	Spiny cupules, 3 nuts.
Lifespan	50–150 years (or longer, depending on conditions)	50–150 years (depending on conditions)	200–300 years (depending on conditions)
USDA Hardiness Zones	Zones 4–8	Zones 4–8	Zones 4–9
Distinguishing Features	Has the most resistance to chestnut blight and ink disease.	Resistant to chestnut blight and ink disease.	Susceptible to chestnut blight and ink disease.

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