Surrounded by a sense of the paranormal, I approached the historical ghost town of Jerome. Uninhabited, it felt as though the residents of this Arizona village had stopped in the middle of what they were doing, packed their belongings and took off without a moment’s notice. As I pulled my car into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but look around and realize I was the only one visiting the park. All alone, I quickly understood why Jerome has been called the largest “ghost town” in the United States.
Jerome State Historic Park is located between the towns of Prescott and Flagstaff. Founded in 1876, the population’s highest count was 15,000 in the late 1920’s, once the fourth largest city in the state of Arizona.
Among the remains of the old mining town is the hotel which is located on top of Cleopatra Hill. Abandoned, it reminded me of the Stanley Hotel in Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
Jerome was once labeled the wickedest town in the west. Known for its mining of copper, the industry eventually declined and locals had to leave to find employment elsewhere. The city was later converted into a historic ghost town and eventually recognized as a National Historic District. The spectacular views from the Jerome Grand Hotel overlook the sparsely vegetated mountains and deeply excavated valleys.
Remnants of the mining town remained with only about 450 permanent residents calling Jerome their home. With fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and a winery, the state park and local museum are dedicated to teaching visitors about the city’s rich mining history.
It was quite clear while visiting the State Park that Jerome had not changed much over the last 100 years. Some of the historic buildings had undergone restoration with a few more projects set for the future. The challenge has been the fact that the city sits along a hill at a 30 degree slope and some of the buildings have been damaged due to their sliding down the incline. It is believed that the 88 miles of mine shafts may have contributed to the landslide.
In, 1962, the Douglas Mansion was donated to the city by the heirs of Jimmy Douglas. It was used to create the Jerome State Historic Park.
For those that enjoy history, a visit to downtown Jerome is a must to explore some of the town’s historic buildings like the old jail and the “Cribs District” which was once a part of Jerome’s “prostitution row”. It is located in a back alley across the street from the English Kitchen.
Jerome is a fascinating town that has retained much of its historical surroundings. Located only 90 miles from Phoenix, it is a perfect day trip from several towns in Arizona such as Flagstaff as well as Sedona. For now, I am ready to head back to my bed and breakfast but not before stopping at the Jerome Winery for a little rest and relaxation. Somehow the silence has grown on me, and who knows, maybe I will see proof of life on my next visit.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Jerome, Arizona? What did you think of your experience? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my side trip to Jerome, Arizona! Wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Jerome State Historic Park
200 Douglas Road
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 634 5381
- Admission Fee: Adults: $7 (ages 14 and over); Youth: $4 (ages 7 to 13); Children: Free (ages 0 to 6 ).
- Hours: The park is open daily from 8AM to 5PM with the exception of Thanksgiving (8AM to 2PM), Christmas Eve (8AM to 2PM) and Christmas Day (closed).
- Amenities: Programs and events, Junior Ranger Program, Visitor Center, Gift Shop, Museum and Exhibits, Picnic areas, Video Presentation, Self-Guided Walk
- Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
- Scenic View: Photograph the Jerome Hotel
- Tips for Your Visit: Bring water and sunscreen as the site is in the middle of the desert. You may also want to bring a telephoto lens for photographs. Be prepared for several stairs.
Bittercreek Winery (Cellar 433)
Prescott National Forest
240 Hull Avenue
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 634 7033
- Hours: The winery is open Monday through Wednesday from 11AM to 6PM and Thursday to Sunday from 11AM to 7PM.
- Amenities: Group wine Tasting and Special Events; Menu, local Micro-Brews and amazing views of the Verde Valley.
- Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
- Scenic View: See the Verde Valley and Red Rocks of Sedona
UPDATE: The Echo Canyon Winery is now permanently closed
Echo Canyon Winery
Prescott National Forest
419 Hull Avenue
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 649 9800
Where to Stay:
The Surgeon’s House
Prescott National Forest
100 Hill Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 639 1452
A historical bed and breakfast located in Prescott National Forest. Beautiful views!
Where to Eat:
Grapes Restaurant & Bar
Prescott National Forest
111 Main Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Telephone: 928 639 8477
I ordered the Caprese Ring and it was fabulous and fresh! The Create a Bowl of Pasta was perfect where I could select my own type of pasta, meat and sauce. I created a fettuccine carbonara…yum!
Books to Read:
- After the Boom in Tombstone and Jerome, Arizona: Decline in Western Resource Towns, by Eric L. Clements
- Home Sweet Jerome: Death and Rebirth of Arizona’s Richest Copper Mining City, by Diane Seward Rapaport
- They Came to Jerome: The Billion Dollar Copper Camp, by Herbert V. Young
- Lady Lost: The Story of the Honeymoon Cottage in Jerome, Arizona, by Margaret Graziano
- The Ghost of the Cuban Queen Bordello: A Story of a 1920’s Jerome Arizona Madam, by Peggy Hicks
- Ghosts of Cleopatra Hill, by Herbert V. Young
Photo Guide for Jerome:
- Shoot at dusk for the best lighting.
- Photograph side streets for a different perspective
- Search out local people to photograph
- Places to photograph:
- Jerome Grand Hotel
- The Asylum, a local restaurant
- Bisbee’s Copper Mine
- Audrey Headframe Park
- Haunted Hamburger
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