3. Castle Dome City, Arizona
Tucked deep in the sun-drenched outback of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, 40 miles northeast of Yuma, lies the longest working mine camp in Arizona. From 1862 to 1979 an ebb and flow of activity kept Castle Dome City alive while most other mining towns fell victim to the predictable boom-bust cycle.
Silver was the original target for prospectors, but galena and lead ore proved to be more plentiful in the mines at Castle Dome City. These deposits likely kept the town alive into the 20th century as large-scale lead mining erupted during both world wars to meet the demand for bullets.
During World War II, 9 million pounds of lead ore was extracted here, making Castle Dome one of the largest wartime producers in the country. The mines chugged along for awhile after, eventually closing for good in 1979.
Today, the ghostly mining town at the foot of impossibly craggy mountains and patrolled by bighorn sheep has become a living museum offering a blend of scenery and history. The museum site houses over 50 restored and recreated buildings. Some are original, while others were constructed as period representations using materials scavenged from the town site.
There is a hotel, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a dressmakers shop, a church, and numerous saloons. Each buildings is like a mini museum overflowing with artifacts pulled from the surrounding mine shafts and donated by former residents.
From an impressive collection of Depression glass, a pair of Levis from 1890, perfectly preserved hand embroidered tea towels, various mining tools, and even a mint condition ‘70s era travel trailer, the museum offers a taste of what life was like in this thriving town that once had over 3,000 residents.
In addition to the museum, there’s a self-guided walking trail through the mining district where you can peer down into the mine shafts, imagine what it would have been like to sleep in the boarding house, or stroll through the graveyard.
Admission for museum and trail is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7-11, and free for kids under 6. During October though April they are open 7 days a week, but have limited hours in the summer when the daytime temperatures soar into the 100s. Call ahead for hours.
For more information visit:Â CastleDomeMuseum.org
