Arizona History - Arizona Ghost Towns

All the towns throughout Arizona have a history. These pasts have woven together to create a colorful tapestry that makes this great state what it is today. Take a journey back in time and learn what life was like long ago and visit some of the Arizona Ghost towns that exist today..

The History of Arizona

There are disagreements over the origin of the word “Arizona.” There are four Indian versions of the word. “Arizuma” is an Aztec word meaning “silver bearing.” “Ali shonak” or “Ari-son” came from the Pima Indians and means “small spring.” “Aleh-zone” also means “small spring” from the Tohono O’odham Indians. However, it is known that a Spanish missionary first used the word in print during the 1750’s.

Organized as a territory in 1863, admitted to the Union in 1912, Arizona is one of the nation’s youngest states. It is one alive with the spirit of youth, yet it is a place that has been inhabited for nearly 20,000 years. The region began with cliff dwellings and has continued on to the present with high-rise condominiums. From this early beginning, Arizona has grown.

To find out more about Arizona’s history, continue to look through FindAzProperties.com. You will discover more about the rich history of the Grand Canyon State.

Central Arizona History

Central Arizona’s history began long ago with the Hohokam people. The Hohokam Indians date back to 300 B.C. They built canal systems in this region to sustain their crops. The reason for their disappearance is still unknown.
Today, you can see the remains of the Hohokam culture at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The monument is located just northeast of Casa Grande, near Coolidge. These ruins are some of the best-preserved pieces left behind by this Indian community.

Not only, did the Indian culture leave their mark on this area, but also so did the early pioneers. Tempe, Queen Creek, Litchfield Park and Chandler all had their beginnings in farming. The Salt River Valley offered rich soil and ideal climate for the new settlers. These towns may have started out as fields, but they have grown to become popular residential spots.

It is time to find out more about the towns of Central Arizona and their history. You will learn who was responsible creating each town and how every contribution has led to the establishment of a major metropolitan area.

Northern Arizona History

Millions of years ago, the Colorado River began carving at the earth’s crust. The constant erosion created Northern Arizona’s jewel – The Grand Canyon. The canyon walls reveal layers of the earth’s history. This wonder of the world is one place you must make time to see.

In comparison to the creation of the Grand Canyon, the Sinagua Indians are a recent development. The Sinagua Indians settled in this region hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Scientists are continuing to search to find the reason for their mysterious disappearance. Today, you can see what remains of their culture by visiting several national monuments established in the area. Tuzigoot National Monument, Waptuki National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument all offer visitors a glimpse into these Indian communities.

During the mid 1800’s, Prescott became a popular spot to settle. For a time, the town became the seat of government for the state. In 1864, the first legislature met at the Governor’s mansion while construction was still work on the government building. Prescott still holds onto the pioneer history with its the architecture of the downtown district and historical museums.

If you are interested in learning more about other Northern Arizona towns and their history, then it is time to sit back and explore FindAzProperties.com.

Southern Arizona History

The history of Southern Arizona goes way back in time with the arrival of Marcos de Niza in 1539. His visit made him the first European to step into Arizona. Niza was a Franciscan priest traveling through the area, in search of gold. He would not be the last one to venture this way. In the years to follow, many people traveled to Southern Arizona in search of mineral wealth.

In 1692, Father Eusebio Kino arrived in Southern Arizona. This marked the time that Europeans came to stay. The first European settlement was founded in Arizona in 1750. The Spanish fort was named Tubac Presidio. It is located in the town of Tubac. You can visit the town and fort today to discover more about the early history of Arizona.
The Apache Wars began in 1860, when the Apache war chief, Cochise was falsely accused of kidnapping. Cochise began a rampage that eventually caused the government to create fort in the area. Fort Bowie, near the town of Bowie, was established to protect the early settlers and to help gain control of the region.

Not far from the wars, the town of Tombstone began to boom. Silver was found in 1877 and the town grew to become a big city. Then in 1898, Bisbee started attracting copper miners. Southern Arizona was the place to get rich.

At the same time, the land surrounding Willcox was cattle rich county. It was said that, “the grass was growing stirrup high.” Willcox was the ideal place for grazing and cowboys flocked to the area. With the arrival of the railroad, in 1880, the town was able to transport the cattle across the country.

Southern Arizona is a portion of the state filled with mining, cowboy, Spanish mission and Indian history. Each town had its own influence. It is time to learn more about these colorful towns and FindAzProperties.com will help you explore.

Eastern Arizona History

Long ago, the Anasazi Indians lived in Eastern Arizona. One of their communities was situated in Canyon de Chelly, near the town of Chinle. No one knows why the settlement was abandoned around 1300, but their cliff dwellings can still be seen today at Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

After the disappearance of the Anasazi, the Navajo tribe came to live in this region. Later, pioneers and miners arrived to create towns and build railroads. This invasion of the land caused problems with the tribes living in the area. Soon, a war broke out. A campaign led by Kit Carson in 1864 sent the Navajo to retreat into Canyon de Chelly. Eventually, all of the members of the tribe were sent to a fort in New Mexico. Later, they were returned to their homeland.

Not only were the Navajos involved war, but so were the Apaches. In 1873, the San Carlos Apache Indian Lands were created. Almost immediately afterward, a decision was made to send the Mohave, Yavapai and Chiricahua Apaches to this same Indian Land to live. This decision proved to be disastrous. Not all of these tribes were on friendly terms. It was only a matter of time before battles erupted. In 1876, Geronimo began his raids in the region.

It was during this same time that mining exploded in Eastern Arizona. Clifton built a copper smelter in 1872 and the combination of Clifton and Morenci made this area one of the oldest copper mining districts in the state.

Then a sliver strike in Globe caused more mining frenzy in 1876. As a matter of fact, the discovery of minerals around Globe caused an uproar. The mineral wealth was located on the San Carlos Indian Lands. The government made the decision to take the 12-mile strip of land back from the Indians. This reduced the size of the Indian Land and made way for mining operations.

Finally, in 1873, the other Indian tribes were relocated and the San Carlos Apache had the land to themselves. The Indian raids continued until the last of the Indian chiefs died or were captured.

To learn more about the towns in Eastern Arizona use FindAzProperties.com. There are many more stories to be told, especially in the town of Young, where one of the worst feuds in Arizona’s history began.

Western Arizona History

The Yuma Quechan Indians were one of the first to inhabit lower Western Arizona. They began the region’s history. Their culture dates back to 1540, with Hernando de Alarcon. Alarcon was a Spanish navigator traveling by land near the Colorado River.

This portion of Arizona really owes its early pioneer beginnings to the Colorado River. In 1850, Fort Yuma was established. It was created to protect the ferry service across the river and the settlers in the area.

This new growth was beginning to cause problems with the boundaries of countries. Then, in 1854 the problems were resolved with the Gadsden Purchase. The purchase extended the land for the United States and guaranteed the stretch along the Colorado River. The marking of the new border began near Yuma and continued across the southern half of Arizona.

Not long afterward, the town of Ehrenburg was developed. It too was situated along the Colorado River. By 1871, Ehrenburg had a population of nearly 500. These river port towns were vital to the growth of Arizona. Supplies arrived by boat and were transferred inland to major towns like Prescott.

There were other towns in Western Arizona that experienced a growth surge, due to transportation. Kingman and Oatman were towns that Historic Route 66 passed through on its trek across the country. In the early 1950’s, the “Mother Road” was constructed connecting Chicago and California. This road brought many travelers through the area, which boosted the economy and encouraged new residents to these towns.

Western Arizona has many unique towns and all of them have a special history. Take a moment and learn more through FindAzProperties.com.

Arizona History, Legend and Lore

The Legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold: The Dutchman wasn't lost, but many others have been, searching for his gold in the Superstition Mountains.
Ghost Towns of Arizona: Visit the towns that were, but are no more - or are they?
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders: Many of the Rough Riders were from Arizona
Southwest Explorations: Learn about Early explorations through Arizona and the Southwest
Arizona Apache Wars: Treatise on the Apache Wars in Arizona.
East Central Arizona History--Paul Machula: The Old West lives on here in the land of the San Carlos Apaches in the region surrounding the great Pinal Mountains. A must read!
History - Tempe, Arizona: Historical cyber-tour of Tempe.
Tombstone - The Movie: Site dedicated to the movie Tombstone. Nice site with pics, clips and more.

Ghostly Sightings in Arizona

Ajo – In the 1950s, after a young couple had just married in Ajo, Arizona, they headed north on their honeymoon to Lake Tahoe. However, they never made it. Soon, they entered an area lined with hills and rocks, known as the crater range. About midnight, their car slammed into a boulder and both newlyweds were killed. Today, it is said that if you drive through this area after midnight, you can see their stranded vehicle, along with the honeymooners off to the side, trying to flag down help.

Flagstaff

Crater Range outside Ajo, Arizona

Days Inn - Reports of a tall ghost of a man has often been reported standing next to a bed in one of the rooms. – Haunted by several ghosts including a phantom bellboy that knocks on doors then disappears, a female ghost has been seen walking the halls, a 1970’s bank robber who died in the lounge, and a long ago resident of the hotel that can be heard clearing his throat and coughing.

Museum Club - The voice of a woman thought to be the wife of a former owner talks to people after hours. She personally asked one musician "are you done with that beer?" When he turned around, nobody was there. She's also been seen in dark corner booths too. Occasionally customers will buy her a drink only to find she has vanished when they return.

NACOG Head Start Administration Building – The apparition of a woman has often been sighted in the halls and strange phenomena continually happen in the building including the sounds of disembodied voices. Other peculiar events include faucets that turn on and off by themselves, objects that are moved from one location to another, and doors that are mysteriously locked. Unfortunately, when staff takes their keys to unlock the doors, they no longer work and the doorknob has to be replaced Telephones ring to the front office from locked offices upstairs, even after they have been unplugged. Disembodied voices, apparitions, objects would be moved from one location to another have also been reported.

Northern Arizona University - North Morton Hall - Many years ago a girl killed herself in the dormitory just before Christmas break. According to reports, she apparently never left and is blamed for lights that go on and off of their own accord, smells, and has even been spotted on occasion. She also likes to pull the blankets off of people who stay on the floor she lived on and to “lock” girls in the bathroom. However, there is no lock on the bathroom door.

Readers Update: I was a student at NAU in 1988-89 and resided at the North Morton Hall. I had heard about a ghost there but didn't think anything of it. It's an old building with a lot of history and creepy spaces within the hallways. The laundry room was down stairs in the basement with the broiler. On one occasion, I took some reading down there while I did my laundry. I was the only one down there and was drying my clothes in the dryer. Suddenly, the door of the dryer flew open. It freaked me out and I ran to get my room mate. She had to sit down there with me for the rest of the drying cycle. I still think about it even now. Dryer doors aren't an easy thing to just open on their own. And it just didn't open a little bit... if flew wide open. I didn't know anything in particular about the ghost until I read about it on the web. I guess "she" thought I needed company. Sheri, October, 2005

Riordan House State Park – The upstairs of the magnificent log mansion at the center of this small park is reportedly haunted by the ghosts of Caroline Riordan and her daughter Anna. Caroline’s ghost is seen dutifully caring for young Anna, who died of polio. The apparitions of both the mother and her ailing daughter have been seen by employees and visitors. The house was built by the Riordan brothers, who made a fortune in the lumber industry but suffered from a number of family tragedies.

USGS Offices - Building 1 - Reportedly the sounds of clapping hands are often heard, as well as doors that open and close seemingly by themselves, and lights that tend to constantly flicker.

Hotel Weatherford – This historic hotel has been serving guests since its opening on New Year’s Day in 1900, with such visitors as newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, former President Theodore Roosevelt, and lawman Wyatt Earp. Along with its rich history, a couple was reportedly murdered in the hotel in the 1930s. Staff has reported that one employee who was staying in the hotel, awoke in the middle of the night to find a bride and groom sitting on the foot of the bed. In addition, another guest relayed that while taking an early morning stroll through the hotel, he spied the silhouette of a young woman darting from one side of the room to the other in the hotel’s ballroom. Other reports tell of low whispers and voices coming from the empty lounge. Hotel Weatherford, 23 N. Leroux St, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001, 928-779-1919.

Landscape around Kingman, Arizona

Kingman – In a place called Launa’s Canyon about two or three miles southeast of Kingman, unearthly screams are reportedly heard in the middle of the night. It was here, during the mid 1950s that a man and his two daughters, along with his fiancé, traveled out of Kingman in search of gold. Prepared to stay a while, they soon built a new house in a deep narrow canyon. Evidently, the future wife and her soon-to-be step daughters did not get along and the fiancé decided to take matters into her own hands on the very night before her marriage. She murdered the children, hiding their bodies in the house and then took off into the canyon.

Later, when she regained her sanity, she came back screaming and moaning through the canyon, begging forgiveness for what she had done. To this day, the legend says that her moans and cries can be between midnight and 3:00 a.m.

Prescott – The Hotel Hotel Vendome in Prescott is reportedly haunted by a woman named Abby Byr and her cat, Noble. At some point in the early 1900s, Abby came to Prescott in an attempt to heal herself of tuberculosis, then called “consumption.” She soon met and married a man and the pair bought the hotel. After a time, they lost the hotel due to unpaid taxes. However, the generous new owners allowed the couple to stay on at the hotel at no charge. Somewhere along the line, when her husband went out to get medicine, he never returned. The devastated Abby refused to eat or drink and ended up dying of starvation in Room 16 in 1921. Beginning after World War II, guests began to report seeing Abby, along with her cat in the room that she died. Apparently still waiting for her husband’s return, she is described as a benevolent ghost, friendly to those that she encounters.

The Hotel Vendome is a charming, historic hotel providing the warmth and comfort of a Bed & Breakfast Inn. Built in 1917, this two-story landmark hotel has been lovingly restored and romantically enhanced to its original grandeur. The authentic western atmosphere draws people from all over the world, including some Hollywood celebrities.

Hotel Vendome in Prescott, Arizona.