Exploring Central Arizona’s Cute Towns
May 2021
From 15,000 to 50, The History of Jerome, AZ
- Thursday, May 13, 2021
- 0.58 mi
- 14:17 min
- 84 °F
After visiting Tuzigoot National Monument, we drove to Jerome, a former copper-mining town perched on the 30-degree slope of Cleopatra Hill. During its peak in the 1920s, the population reached nearly 15,000 people. However, once the mines closed, the population declined to fewer than 100 residents, and the town became known as a ghost town.
Today, Jerome has grown to about 500 residents and is a booming destination known for its exclusive art galleries and unique architecture. With the remnants of the “Red Light District,” Company Hill, and historic hotels and saloons still standing, it is easy to see why the “ghost town” label stuck around, and why Jerome was officially designated a National Historic District in 1967.
After exploring downtown and throwing a few coins “down the drain” into the famous wishing toilets, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the appropriately named “Haunted Hamburger,” where we took in spectacular views of the Verde Valley.
A quick stop in Prescott, "Everybody’s Hometown."
- Thursday, May 13, 2021
- 0.64 mi
- 13:53 min
- 82 °F
Before heading back to Payson, we made a quick stop in downtown Prescott, also known as “Everybody’s Hometown.” We headed straight to the heart of the city to walk around the historic Courthouse Plaza. The Yavapai County Courthouse, built in 1916, is a massive granite structure, but because it’s surrounded by tall elm trees, the whole square feels like a peaceful, beautiful park rather than a busy city center. We spent some time at the “Bucky” O’Neill monument. It’s famous for being one of the most lifelike equestrian statues ever made, perfectly freezing a horse and rider in motion.
