Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

THIS MONTH: Jerome, Arizona

by Don & Jan Harrison

There are two ways of getting to Jerome. The efficient way is to take I-10 to Phoenix and merge onto I-17 north, then turn west onto State 260 at Camp Verde. This route will take you the 211 miles to Jerome in just three and a half hours.

For a really exciting trip, our recommendation is to approach Jerome by way of Prescott. You would turn west from I-17 onto State 69 at Cordes Lakes and take State 89 north out of Prescott. After six miles, bear right on State 89A over Mingus Mountain. It is an incredible 32 mile scenic drive over a steep, winding mountain road and the beauty is unbelievable! The 23 miles and the extra 45 minutes it takes to drive this route is well worth it.

Suddenly you will see houses perched in impossible places all around the mountain; you have arrived in Jerome. You won’t find a more unique little town, filled with friendly people and tons of history, anywhere else in Arizona!

It is probably best to start your adventure at the Jerome Historical State Park, located in the old Douglas Mansion estate. They can give you an overview of the entire town. For a $3 entry fee, you can tour the mansion, which is also a museum, and obtain a map of the town and all it offers.

Although this old mining town has become a well known artist community with at least 25 various galleries, it also offers exquisite original pottery, framed photographs, leather and clothing goods, and some truly beautiful jewelry.

Nestled among the galleries are numerous shops and markets offering toys, souvenirs and unusual curios.

The first Saturday of every month, the Chamber of Commerce holds the Jerome Art Walk from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. through the different galleries. The walk also offers complete shuttle service. You will be able to meet many of the artists and view their work. Then the third week in May they hold Arizona’s Oldest Annual Home Tour where visitors can view the inside of the restored homes.

There are several excellent restaurants and hotels plus a multitude of other services available in Jerome. It takes a full day and plenty of energy to see everything since the town sits on several different levels and inclines. Stairs and public restrooms are provided along the way.

The Gold King Mine, which was originally named the Haynes Mine, began operating in 1890. It’s located just one mile north of Jerome on a dirt road that is easily passable by a passenger car. The Haynes Copper Company was seeking copper and at the depth of 1200 feet they hit gold! Today they again mine for copper but offer a ghost town, a working saw mill, and a petting zoo. Admission is charged based on age.

The Jerome site had been mined for a long time, but in 1915 the Little Daisy Mine started and the boom began. There are now some 88 miles of abandoned tunnels underneath the town that extend to the depth of 4,800 feet. Of course the tunnels are all closed and shored up so it is perfectly safe.

Around 1918 a fire in one of the tunnels reached some dynamite and the resulting explosion destroyed a lot of the town. It also slid the jail 225 feet down the mountain, to where it still stands today. Jerome is no stranger to fire, having been almost totally destroyed by flames many times.

Determined individuals always rebuilt because of the veins of copper, gold and silver. In the 1920’s, 15,000 hearty miners, businessmen, and their families resided in Jerome!

Eventually the veins played out and the town was virtually abandoned in 1953, but some loyal souls stayed and others moved back. Together they rebuilt and restored the town of Jerome as closely to the original as possible. That is the Jerome that survives today. It is a great example of what people working together can accomplish.

There is still quite a large amount of ore underneath the town but it would be reachable only by open pit mining. Open pit mining would mean the destruction of a valuable and picturesque part of our Western heritage!

Jerome sits on a mountainside named Cleopatra Hill about 2,000 feet above the Verde Valley. Temperatures range from the 50’s and 60’s in the winter to sometimes hitting the 90’s in mid summer.

Next to the Jerome Historical Museum sits Paul & Jerry’s Saloon, the coolest place in town to rest and enjoy a soda. The tour of the museum is well worth seeing as it includes all the history of Jerome and the surrounding area. Admission is $2, $1 for seniors, and children 12 and under are free.

In the immediate area are many other attractions and activities to enjoy such as the Verde Canyon Railroad, Page Springs Hatchery, Tuzigoot National Monument, Mingus Mountain Playground, Red Rock State Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park (retaining the name of Dead Horse Ranch was a requirement for the donation of the land to the state!)

A family could easily fill a week-long vacation schedule full of activities while investigating just this one area. Because of all the fantastic beauty, be sure to take a camera and plenty of film.

To discover more about Jerome, AZ: Visit these websites: www.jeromechamber.com, www.azstateparks.com and www.goldkingmineghosttown.net.