Here is a view of a few of the buildings found in Goldfield. Photo by Holly SolisA tumbleweed blows in the quiet dusty road lined with old buildings. Signs of past life surround the buildings by way of old creaking signs and rundown barrels. The sun beats down on an empty town that once bustled with life. Ghost towns are popular destinations for tourists and photographers across the country. The most popular type of ghost town is the old west themed town. There are other more modern ghost towns and you can read about some unique looking ones here. Arizona is full of the old west wonders.
The focus town of this post is Goldfield, Arizona. Located at the base of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, Goldfield is a preserved mining town from the 1890s. The buildings you see are not the actual buildings that stood, but were built in the ‘60s by Bob Schoose to add authentic-looking buildings to the shambles that the town used to be. The popular tourist destination offers a look into the past. Gold ore was found back in 1892 and a town sprung to life. The town would only last around five years until the gold ore ran out. Then the people packed their bags and moved on in search of more gold.
Goldfield offers a scenic background. Photo by Holly SolisAround 1920 a fellow named George Young decided there was still gold in the empty shambles of a town. He brought fancy new mining techniques and continued digging up gold from the old ore. The gold flowed for another five years and then finally ran out. When the gold ran out the people ran out, too. Goldfield was abandoned once again.
1966 is when Bob Schoose found the old ghost town and built it to the way it is now. Goldfield still survives, this time mining the golden ore of history. Beginning at high noon there are gun shows in the streets on the hour. There is plenty of food to choose from and a unique mine tour. If you find yourself in Goldfield, take the mine tour to observe the old gold mine that created the town. You can also stop by the saloon to grab a drink and soak in the beautiful view of the desert landscape, which includes the Superstition Mountains.
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