Charming Old Mining Town of Jerome, Arizona, Surrounded by the Wonders of the South West

Charming Old Mining Town of Jerome, Arizona, Surrounded by the Wonders of the South West

Once a mining town, Jerome, Arizona has always had a history of cultural diversity. Immigrant workers in the mines included Irish, Chinese, Italians, Spaniards, Croatians and Mexicans. The first claims on the rich mineral deposits, were made by Anglo-Americans in 1876. Native Americans, who were of course the first to inhabit the area, continue to form part of the population today, which is majority white.

The town is situated 5,200-feet above sea-level atop Cleopatra Hill. Directly beneath the town, buried within the hill, a vast treasure trove of metals was discovered by the early settlers. Copper, gold and silver generated a vast wealth for the claim holders for decades. Jerome was the largest copper producing town in the state, turning out 3 million pounds of the metal per month. At its height, with a population of 15,000 people in the 1920's, it was the fourth largest population center in Arizona.

In the 1930's Phelps Dodge took over the claims and, after it ceased operations in 1953, the town dwindled down to 50 people. In the 1960's however, it became a sort of haven for counter- culture artists, thus helping Jerome return to life. Since the 1960's residents began to promote the town as a tourist destination, first as a "living Ghost Town'' and later as the historic monument and thriving small community of 450 people it has become. As the result of efforts by inhabitants to rejuvenate the town, Jerome, Arizona was named a historic landmark in 1976.

Today dozens of small businesses are open, including antique stores and various art galleries. The handful of restaurants offers a variety of fare that ranges from gourmet organic foods to pizza. Nine hotels and bed and breakfasts service travelers becoming acquainted with the town and the surrounding area. Touring the town is best done at a leisurely pace, as nearly every building dates back 100 years and has some historic significance.

The quiet beauty and small town charm makes for a healthy setting to raise a family. There are several schools in the area including a Montessori Charter School in Cottonwood, about 8-miles away.

To the west, the Prescott National Forest awaits. To the northeast lies the Coconino National Forest. Both of these wilderness reserves are less than an hour away and are home to beautiful scenery, wildlife and extensive campgrounds. A day trip to the Grand Canyon is also easily managed from Jerome, Arizona in less than 2 hours each way. Tuizigoot National Monument in Clarkdale is as short drive to the northeast where the remnants of the disappeared Sinagua people can be found.

Sedona and Prescott are larger towns, both about 27-miles away in opposite directions. Prescott, inhabited by more than 40,000 people, can provide the services not available in Jerome. Alongside Prescott is the Yavapai-Apache Reservation.

The 19 square mile city of Sedona, (population of 10,000 people in the year 2000), hosts two colleges and is surrounded by the beautiful red rock formation landscape familiar to visitors of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Yavapai Community College and Coconino Community College are located here, as well as the Sedona Medical Center. Both Sedona and Prescott can provide more extensive services than area available in Jerome after a short drive.

With Phoenix lying 105-miles to the Southwest and Flagstaff around 60-miles to the northeast even a dose of the city is close to Jerome, Arizona.