Wiccan Road To Ghosts -

Mohave County Ghost Towns

Alamo Crossing's- Tom Rodgers founded this small mining community of transient prospectors. Alamo Crossing's post office. established November 23, 1899 was discontinued the last time December 31, 1918.

An Indian once poisoned the storekeeper and made of with what was in the store about the same time the post master got bored with his job and made off with Uncle Sam's money.

Alamo Crossing was never a big town, a five- stamp mill and a few stores was about the whole town. It was, however, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state of Arizona until Alamo Lake consumed the site. The road to Alamo Crossing now stops at the water a few hundred yards short of the town

American Flag- The American Flag Mine, located in 1871was soon the most worked mine in the county. The post office came and the mines worked steadily until the closing of the post office in the summer of 1890.

Annadale- Established just East of Hackberry this small settlement was named for Anna Mc Craw in 1945.

F.X Aubrey

1824-1854

Aubrey Landing's Franquois Xavier Subrey, a Canadian moved to New Mexico and earned himself the nick name of "Skimmer of the Plains". To win a $1,000 bet he rode horseback from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Independence, Missouri in eight days. He repeqted this feat several times until his riding was brought to a halt but Major Richard H. Weightman during an argument and stabbing in a Santa Fe saloon. \Aubrey's Landing founded at the mouth of the Bill Williams Rivers ten years after his death was so named to honor him. The town had a hotel, store and saloon under one roof and an old ship's cabin where W.J. Hardy, an agent for Colorado Steam Navigation Compnay resided. Their post office was established October 2, 1866 and discontinued November 3, 1886. Freight and supplies landed at Aubrey and then made their way to nearby mines in the McCracken and Sandy districts. As the mining towns dwindled, so did Aubrey until there was no one left. Today, nothing is left of Aubrey Landing.

Post office was established in October, 1866 and discontinued in November 1886.

Camp Beale Springs- Near Kingman Camp Beale Springs was a military post designed to protect travelers on the Fort Mohave - Prescott road. It was named for Edward F. Beale who's camel caravan stopped here in the late 1850's. Established in 1871, the camp only lasted until April 1874. Today, nothing is left

Cane Beds- A small settlement established in 1868 at the former Virgin Bottoms. in 1910, the population dindled to five. Post office came in 1917 and was discontinued in 1945.

Canyon Station- Canyon Station is located at the foothills of the Cerbat Mountains near Kingman. It is the site of a stage station near the mouth of the narrow canyon through which the road to the Cerbats descends into Mineral Park. All that is left are diminishing foundations of well-aged structures and weed- infested road. In 1870, two bandits robbed a stagecoach of an army payroll and stole $72,000 which is buried somewhere near Canyon Station.

Cedar/Cedarville- Near Wikieup on the east slope of the hualapai Mountains with the lure of gold, silver and copper mines. with a few buildings and remnants to explore. Cedar's post office, established September 25, 1895 and discontinued July 11, 1911. Mining activity in Cedar began in the early 1870's but the arrival of the post office wasn't until late 1895. There were probably more mines than people in Cedar as there were at least two separate mining companies. Two saloons serviced the 200 residents. Today there are extensive rock ruins lying in the shadows of the Hualapais Mountains.

Cerbat- Near Kingman and Mineral Park with some current residents with many original buildings, mine, mill remnants and a small cemetery to explore. Mining started in the 1860s at this place that had to be reached by a three-hundred mile steamboat trip up the Colorado River from Yuma to Hardyville and then by stage over a wagon road for thirty-eight miles.

Even still, Cerbat's post office was established December 23, 1872 and discontinued June 15, 1912. In the late 1860's, they laid claims Cerbat area and began mining. Eventually, a town that was to later hold the county seat, if only for a few yearssprang up. Cerbat had only about a hundred residents and was very isolated, yet managed to have to doctors and a lawyer. Mining continued into the present century, but the town has since died.

Chloride cica 1900

Mohave Museum of History and Art

Chloride - Located in 1870, the mines that supported Chloride were very rich indeed. The post office came in 1873, and the town had a brewery, general store, blacksmith, and several saloons. Shortly, the post office shut down, but re-established in 1893 when they resumed mining. At the turn of the century, there were 1500 people at Chloride. Total production from one of the mines alone was $7.5 million by 1948. Lots to see at Chloride.

Chloride lies under the Cerbat Mountains and is one of oldest miner communities in Arizona. Chloride was established in 1862 when silver were founded and the town become silver mine center. It's still some mine activities. Chloride is today a peaceful town with one restaurant, 3 cafeterias, one store, two saloons and 400 people. Chloride post office grounded in 1871 is the oldest still working post office in Arizona. Butterfield Stage Line served Chloride from 1868 until 1919. Santa Fe Railroad served Chloride from 1898 until 1935. In Chloride's most hectic days from 1900 until 1920 groves number of citizens to more then 2.000 with 75 working mines.

One of Chloride's favorite story is about a naval officer that had a dream of drowning so he left the Navy and came to rock solid ground in Chloride, AZ. Here he built a rock house here, down the road from the town and found an interest in mining. His shaft is still there at his site. He accidently slipped, and lost his footing while down in the shaft, and drowned. His property was up for taxes, and some one bought the estate. The buyer, to get his money back, opened up a house of soiled doves. To this day the house still can be remembered as the house of ill-repute, but not many people remember the true story of a man dreaming of drowning, The house is known here, as the Rock House, down, on Silver Sage Road, and it is still vacant, minus a roof.

Cyclopic- About 5 miles outside of Dolan Springs, from US 93 take Pierce Ferry Rd (MR 25), then take dirt road between mile 17 and 18 on left hand. Tailings, metal tanks, and foundations abound. Cyclopic was the village of residence for the workers in the nearby mine of the same name; its post office was established in 1905, and when the mine was re-opened, re-established in 1914, finally closing in 1917.

El Dorado Camp- A short lived army post established in 1867 and abandoned in 1867. The post office was established in 1865 to serve miners and travelers.

Fort Mohave- Near Kingman close to the Colorado River.
Nothing but foundations. Founded in 1858 as Camp Colorado, Fort Mohave was home to military personnel for two years before abandoned. As more prospectors came to the area they reoccupied the fort through 1866-1890. A school at the site stayed open through the early 1900's. In 1941, all the structures were razed and today, leaving nothing much.

Frisco circa 1910
Courtesy Mohave Historical Society

Frisco- Located in 1894, the Frisco gold mine wound up traversing Main Street. The town had about 150 residents and oddly enough, had no saloons. Living in adobe houses, most of the one hundred and fifty miners were married which might have been a reason.Nothing remain for the site has been completely demolished as a result of gravel and mining operations. Frisco's post office was established May 5, 1913 and discontinued July 15, 1915. .

Germa- Sets just southwest of Oatman with a few foundations. Germa founded in 1896, by a German-American mining company just as gold was discovered just South of Oatman. The post office was established January 20, 1903 and discontinued February 27, 1906 but with insufficient water to run the mill and the mine closed down in 1906. Today, only a few foundations mark the site.

Golconda circa 1918

Courtesy Thomas McMichael

Golconda- Use route via Chloride to meet the caretaker who lives on the property. Left behind is one standing building, many foundations and other building remnants, a huge stamp mill, and mining equipment. Golconda's post office, established December 8, 1909 only lasted nine years, They closed it in February 28, 1918.

Discovered in the 1860's the Golconda mine worked without a town at the site until John Boyle bought the mine around the turn of the century. The town had a store, poolroom, school and a justice of the peace. Then in 1917, oil in one of the mill's flotation tanks boiled over and started a fire. the mill burned to the ground along with the cookhouse, poolroom and a few outher building, a lucky wind stopped the spread of the fire. That, together with the drop in the price of lead and zinc, spelled doom for Golconda. Today there are scattered remains in the Cerbat Hills.

Gold Basin- Right by Mineral Park and Cerbat. A few buildings and mining equipment to see. Gold Basin's post office came September 20, 1890 and left on June 15, 1907. A five- stamp mill was all Gold Basin amounted to. There were many mines in the area but none that were really big producers. Gold Basin was located 30 miles from the nearest water and shipping lines, so fuel for the mill and water were scarce. Eventually, the mines could not support Gold Basin any longer and the town disappeared. Some of the mines in the area were the Golden Slipper, Josephine and Southern Bride.

Goldflat-Three miles from Kingman with residents leaving no footprints. The town was the result of Gold Flat Mining and Milling Conpany. Its post office came in December 22, 1908 and left July 15, 1910. Once a town of 65 with a blacksmith, carpenter, hotel, general store, livery stable, and restaurant, Goldflat is no more. Its existence was short lived and today with no trace.

Goldroad-Near the town of Oatman, Goldroad's post office. established 1902 was discontinued October 15, 1942. They mined over $7,000,000 worth of gold from 1903-1931 in the mine Jose Jerez located in 1899. The mine was sold in 1901 and worked continued for the next 30 years. One of the original owners, Henry Lovin, stayed in the are after selling and founded the Goldroad Club and a general merchandise and freighting company. At one time there was over 400 people living at Goldroad.

In 1864, John Moss found the gold here, but when the silver was founded in Cerbat area, the mostly of Moss diggings were abandoned. A new ore was founded by Joe Jerez in 1899, who has rented a lot, as so many others, from store owner Henry Lovin from Kingman for 12,50 $. He sold his lots in 1901 for 50.000 dollars; five years later was those 40 times more worth. Lovin used his money to start a successful freight company and the Colorado Club. One of the fast guests in the club was Jose Jerez, who drank most of his money and he ended his live when he swallow a rat's poison.

The gold ended quickly in 1907 and the mines closed. In 1949 mining ended and the town shut down, to save a big taxes. Now only ruins stand as an evidence of once busy town. Goldroad post office opened on April 15, 1902 and closed on October 15, 1942.

A lot of travelers from Kingman to Oatman fail to see ruins of Goldroad dazzled by beauty of the area. Mining evidence everywhere around include a stone house ruin, water tanks, cement stairs and more.

Grand Gulch- Located by Mormons in 1853, the Grand Gulch site operated sporadically until around 1913. A smelter, erected in 1870, proved unsuccessful so in 1906, the Grand Gulch Copper company starting production, shipped 120 tons of copper ore monthly to Salt Lake City. Only a few ruins remain.

Greenwood City- Right near Signal with no footprints. Greenwood City was home to a mill that worked ore from the McCracken Mine. Without a post office, residents put out over $1000 of their own money every year to get mail delivered privately. In its heyday, Greenwood City had over 400 residents. In 1878, they constructed a mill at Virginia City to work the McCracken ore, making the mill at Greenwood City obsolete. Today, there is nothing left of the town that once had two of the nicest saloons in the county owned by Fatty Smith and John Cody, besids the well patronized Davis house whiere travelers were offer clean bed and fine food. Two blacksmith shops, grocery stores, a buterch shop, a barber shop and a physicians filled the needs of the residents.

Hackberry- On Route 66 with a few current residents and a few old buildings. Discovered in 1874, the mine at Hackberry warranted an immediate 5- stamp mill, which soon doubled its capacity. When the railroad came through, the new town of Hackberry started 4 miles from the old town.

Hackberry - in the background on right, 1918

Hackberry was home to plenty of "shooting, fighting, and faro", as it was somewhat of a transient town. Bypassed by Route 66, Hackberry became a tourist town.

William Harrison Hardy
Courtesy Arizona Historical Societ

Hardyville - Nothing much to see but the cemetery. . Hardyville's post office established January 17, 1865, discontinued February 19, 1883. Hardyville was one of the many Colorado River towns that ferried people across the river, served as a freight depot, and also happened to be Mohave counties first seat. At the most, Hardyville had about 20 permanent residents, but more were there at any given time due to people passing through. William Harrison Hardy, the towns' namesake, invented the riveted mail sack. Two fires struck Hardyville, but it was the railroad crossing at Needles that finally doomed the town.

Hardy came from California with a wagon train in 1849 and election captain of the company and got the name Captain Hardy.He did well and purchased the Colorado River Ferry. He built a store, hotel saloon, warehouse and a few adobe shanties on the Arizona side of the river and his town began. He also operated a toll road between Hardyville and Prescott.

Hardyville eventually developed into Bullhead City, AZ. And, as a matter of fact, there is One relic of Hardyville still in existence: its cemetery. Overlooking Hwy. 95 (which runs straight through the heart of Bullhead City) on a high hill, it contains approximately 16 (as I recall) graves which are unfortunately unmarked because the University of Arizona hauled them away and apparently does not intend to return them, just circleing the graves with stones. Some years ago a heavy rain-washed out a few of the graves, sending the coffins and their occupants tumbling onto the highway! They restored them to their graves and the coated the hill with cement to avoid any further disaster.

Hualapai Mansion- Most of the mansion is still there on private property. Permission is required to see the mansion. Once built to house the owners of the nearby Gold King mine, the Hualapai Mansion now sits empty. Located on the Odle Ranch. Under a new name now but the Odle on the topographic map), the mansion is two-stories tall, built in the 1930's. A 180-foot tunnel and a 50 ft. shaft was the total of the Gold King Mine so the mine and mansion were soon abandoned.

Katherine- Right near the Colorado River with very extensive concrete ruins, platforms, foundations, a large set of concrete piers, stairs, and a walkways with metal railings.

Katherine
Courtesy Mohave Historical.

The Katherine Mine came to light in Septembr, 1900 by S.C. Baggs and developed by the New Constock Mining Company. The ore was treated at the Sheep trail Mill at Pyramid on the ColoradoRriver.

In 1904, the Arizona Pyramid Gold Mining Company acquired the mine-mill property but made liite profit in those early days because of the xpense of wagon transportation and the relativly inefficient amalgamation process used. The mining stoppd in 1906.

In 1919 the Katherine gold Mining Conpany took over and active exploratin resumed. A new shaft was sunk and a 150-ton cyanide mill was built at the mine.

To lure miners, a free town lot was offered to the parents of the first female baby born at the camp and was to be given the name Katherine. Katherine's post office, established December 21, 1921, discontinued June 5, 1929. Katherine had a huge boardinghouse, large enough to feed the entire working crew in thirty minutes. Noting left to see but the mine.

Lincolnia- The Cottonia Land and Cotton Company owened the construction came at chih Edmund Lincoln built a store. The post office came in as Cottonia in 1910 and changed to Lincolnia in 19ll. It was discontinued in 1912.

Liverpool Landing-/Pittsburg- A former steamboat landing on the Colorado river. a supply point for the mines at Signal and other camps in the Owen district during the 1880l and 1890s.

Lost Basin- Near Mineral Park with no footprints. Lost Basin had a post office from 1884 to 1891. It was home to some small mines and a few people. A placer boom in the 1930's also occurred here. Today, there is nothing left.

McCracken- Very isolated with its ruins of a mill, tailings, foundations, and old stone building. In 1874, "Chloride Jack" Owens and a party of prospectors made their way into the mountains North of the Bill Williams Fork and found an outcropping of silver atop McCracken Hill. Soon after, they erected a mill, bought by a group of senators from nearby Greenwood City at a foreclosure price who put it to work producing $1.5 million in silver. Then in the winter of 1877-78, the McCracken Consolidated Mining Company erected another mill at the new Virginia City. The mines soon played out and the place was deserted.Its peak population was about 100 residents.

Mexican Town- Located on a flat below Goldroad are the remains of this mining community that had a post office fom 1906 to 1942

Mineral Park Circa 1880

Courtesy Mohave Pioneer Historical Society

Mineral Park- GT Mineral Park is accessible from mile 59 on US 93, where one paved road will bring you 4 miles to Mineral Park. Unfortunately is not possible to come on the mine property but is still possible to find five ruins of the original town outside mine area. On private property so get permission from the current mining operation to see a few buildings. The cemetery is perserved by the Duval Mining Company.

The Mineral Park's post office came in December 31, 1872 and left June 15, 1912. Mineral Park was laid out in 1871 with a five-stamp mill and became the biggest settlement in Mohave county, eventually becoming the county seat. The Mohave County Miner was the newspaper for the seven hundred people who lived here. There were doctors, lawyers, blacksmiths, a hotel, restaurant, carpenters and more to service the two hundred men.

Today, there are many ruins still left under the protection of a mining company. Mineral Park, for a short period, the capitol town of Mohave County when they took over the title from the town, Cerbat in 1873. They served mines and ranches in the area. The town had everything what was necessary for mining: assay office, five smelters, saloons, stores, post office that opened on December 31, 1872, restaurant, hotel, doctors, two stations and weekly newspaper "The Mohave County Miner".

The reason for the progress was, that "Atlantic & Pacific railroad" in 1883 finished building the rails 20 miles to the south, and that shorted the transport and the transport cost. Unfortunately brought the railroad on the same time the dead to Mineral Park because that same railroad was passing trough railroad station Kingman was growing rapidly and in 1887 had more citizens and become the capitol of Mohave County.

The Walapai Indians living in and around Mineral Park were not troublesome but held in low esteem by many people.

Once in 1882, Walapai Charley, a leader of the Walapai tribe drew his gun on fellow Indian Jeff. Jeff went to the unersheriff Collins and lodged a complaint against Charles. Collins broughtCharley into his office, took his gun and warned him never to show his face in twon again unless he wanted to go to jail. The next day he received this letter.

Walapai Charley's Camp

My Friend Bob Steen.

Won' you be so kind as to send me my pistol. I will not cary it nto town anymore and will behave myself and be a good Indian. Tell me whn I can come into town and oblige.

Your friend Walapai Charlie

Miners started to close after year 1887 and post office closed on June 15, 1912. Mineral Park had all, but died.

In the 1880s, five bandits robbed a saloon in Mineral Park. They also robbed a stagecoach of a strongbox containing 400 pounds of gold bars, dust and nuggets. The strongbox was too heavy to carry and pushed off the side of the road and covered with dirt. They found the stagecoach not far from Topock. The location is along the Yucca-Needles stage road to the West of the Yucca Stage Station.

Mohave City- Nothing remains in this town including the Mojave City's post office, established October 8, 1866 and discontinued October 31, 1938. Mojave City was a river landing on the Colorado river from 1863 until about 1869. The town was a mile north of Fort Mojave, a military outpost laid out by the California Volunteer station at the fort .. When the boundaries of the reservations changed in 1869, Mojave City was within these new boundaries and forced to pack up and move. The residents closed their homes and stores and hauled their possessions off to a new location. the military took over at once, occupying some of the buidlings and tearing down others. From that time the place is called Mohave City or Fort Mohave since both were one an dthe same.

in the 8880s, the community had a gunsmith, blacksmith, druggist, shoemaker, and a tailor. Paul Benson, owner of the general store and postmaster of Mohave City took his San Francisco bride to Vienna for their honeymoon. Business must have been good. There was an indian School but today, nothing is left of the original town site

Mount Trumbull- There are a few current residents that use exit 8 off I-15 at St. George Utah and head South on River Road to Ariz. state line. Take BLM Road 1069 South for around 18 miles to near Wolf Hole Lake. Pick up County Road #5 and take it for about 34 miles Southeast to the most notable feature in the town-- a restored white one-room schoolhouse. The exterior and part of the interior of the school house are restored.

In the same area is Toroweep (Tuweep) overlook into the Grand Canyon. It is one of the narrowest parts of the Grand Canyon and offers a good view of the river. Vulcan's Throne and Lava Falls/Rapids are visible from Toroweep. There is a long, difficult trail down to the river from Vulcan's Throne. The overlook is about 65 miles from Fredonia, Az. To get to Toroweep, head east from the town and Mt. Trumbull Wilderness on County Road 5 and pick up BLM Road 115 South, about 20 miles to Tuweep Ranger Station and then the overlook. The last few miles to the overlook may be difficult for low-clearance vehicles. This is an isolated and very sparsely populated (but beautiful) area. There are no public facilities in the area. Take extra water and gas and stay on the main graded roads.

Known as "Bundyville", after the towns leading family, the town formed in 1916. The current schoolhouse , built in 1922 was abandoned in the late 1960's. Mormon pioneers originally settled the area. Bundyville is in very remote area of the Arizona Strip; although the roads are well graded, it is a long trip from any major town.

Although the most recent and complete 'biography' of the town (in the August 1996 issue of Arizona Highways says the town "ceased to exist", this is not technically true. There are still some more modern homes located nearby. The Bundyville school/church/town hall, was 'torched' by Mormon vandals in July 2000, but the damage rebuilt by the descendents of the former and current residents.

The village had a post office from 1919 to 1950 (and is sometimes known as Mount Trumbull, near which it is located). Bundyville is in very remote area of the Arizona Strip; although the roads arewell gradedd, it is a long trip from any major town

New Virginia-Establish in 1877 by manyCivil War veterans with a population at its peak of 700 residents. They depended on the Mc Craken Mine for their livlihood.

Oatman
Courtesy Dane Coolidge Collection

Oatman- On the highway outside of Kingman. Current residences.: Many original buildings and named after a woman captured and later released by the Mohave Indians, Oatman is still going today. Strike after strike kept Oatman alive, the biggest seems to be the 1915 strike of $14 million. The town had its own paper, the Oatman Miner. The population of Oatman went from a few hundred to over 3500 within a year which lead to long waits at the restaurants. In 1921, a fire burned much of Oatman, but the town rebuilt. Mining was somewhat sporadic through the next forty years, and Oatman still survives today. Information about Oatman (Vivian): John Oatman (Olive Oatman's Mohave son), lives in Vivian area. Year after his mother died, he had enough influence to change the name of the town in 1908 from Vivian to Oatman, as honor for his mother Olive Oatman, a white girl who lived with a local Mohave Indian family in five years.

Oatman was originally Vivian, after the mine and the Vivian Mining Company. Ben Taddock (or Paddock depends who and how say that) found gold in 1902 when he was walking along the trail. Taddock sold his loot the following year to one judge, and the judge sold the loot to in 1905 to Vivian Mining Company who started mining on that place. In 1906 Vivian was a big tent town, flourished as a miner community and in 3 years the mine produced more then 3 mill. $ in gold. The Tom Reed goldmine, discovered in 1908, gave Vivian the second boom. In this year the town was renamed Oatman and the name become official the next year when the post office changed the name to Oatman, in honor to Olive Oatman, a white girl who lived with a local Mohave Indian family for 5 years.

Everything started back in 1851 when Royse Oatman, his wife and seven children were attacked on their way to California by a group of a rebellion Apaches. They killed all, except the girls Olive, about 13 years old and Mary Ann who was about seven years old. The Indians, thinking Lorenzo, their16-year-old brother threw him over the hillside. Although badly wounded, he survived.When Lorenzo was 20 years old, he heard stories about one white girl who lived with the Indians along Colorado River. Traveling to California, he was organizing a search group when he heard that his sister returned to Fort Yuma. Mary Ann was dead of sickness, Olive was founded by the peacefully Mohave Indians, who has bayed her from the rebellious Apaches.

She had the traditional Mohave tattoos and that means that she was married. When one another Indian come to the village and asked for her, and because he had many things with him for trade, she left the tribe and walked 200 mil to Yuma, where she was consistent with her brother. After that Olive lived in Oregon and California for a short period. She married John B. Fairchild in 1865 and died in 1903 in Sherman, Texas. John Oatman, who was Olive's Mohave son, lived in Vivian area. Year after his mother's death, he had enough of influence to change the town name from Vivian to Oatman.

Tom Reed found another place with gold, the tom Reed Gold Mine which started another boom in 1913 when the United Eastern Mine opened. Oatman's population exploded to 10.000 people. Progress continued until 1930 and Tom Reed closed the mines in 1942 when the Congress declared that gold was not more in demand as a important product) and after he had produced $13.000.000 in gold. After the mines closed, the town lived from the travelers under the depressions period, as a last stop before they crossed a long and dangerous Mohave dessert. Oatman, once a town with 10.000 citizens was in 1950 reduced to 60, US 66 by-passed the town. Today some 500 people call Oatman home.

Some interesting comments- First, the claim that tattoos symbolized that Olive was married has no support from in any other research. These tatooes mark Olive as a slave not a spouse. The official Ft. Mohave web site notes that tattooing was a cosmetic and religious practice, and among women and girls there was no indication of marital status, but only status as property of the Mohave.

According to a source on American tattooing, "Chin designs with the Mohaves were chosen by the atomists and were based on the shape of the face. Narrow faced people usually wore designs of narrow lines or dots to accentuate the length of the face. Patterns for broad faces tended to have wider lines and cover more of the chin, making the face look even broader. The upper lip was not tattooed. The wearer chose forehead designs and there were different patterns for men and women. They would place them in the middle of the forehead just above the eyebrows and were generally of simple lines, dots and circles. There were a few variations for the tattoo locations. Warriors may have had circles tattooed on their chests, with line radiating tower the shoulder, and important men sometimes would have "T" shaped designs tattooed on both sides of the face just below the cheekbone."

The Indians applied the tattooes after their sale from the Apache to the Mohave. Mary Ann was 8 or 9 years old at the time.

The page also presents a story of the Mohave releasing Olive to walk to Ft. Yuma. This is apparently also a complete creation of "John Oatman". The journey took eight days, and there is no possibility that Olive could have made such a journey, particularly since she had no clue as to her location or that of Ft. Yuma. The true story concerns her brother Lorenzo's dedication to his sisters. For five years he pursued clues and tried to interest soldiers and politicians into finding his sisters. A Quechan named Francisco, who ransomed Olive for a horse, 4 blankets and some beads, finally contacted him. She reached Ft. Yuma, California, on Feb. 28, 1856, 5 years and 10 days after her capture. (Smith)

Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their wedding night here in the oatman Hotel in 1939. The old Oatman Drugstore was used in the 1963 file "How the West was Won".

Old Trails- Just one mile South of Oatman with only remains of a few buildings. Today there is an old motel and a service station recently converted into a restaurant. A stone house which was once the assay office is now a private home. Opened to commemorate the famous trails that once linked early settlements, Old Trails's post office, established February 29, 1916 was discontinued July 21, 1925. Old Trails had electric lights, graded streets, a hospital, steam laundry, ice cream and bakery shop, bottling works, sheet metal works, and telephones. Locatd near the Tom Reed and United Eastern mines along with some others. At one time there was over 500 residents. Old Trails was still dependent on the mines which finally played out in 1925. When the mines went, the town followed.

Owen-At the base of the McCracken Hill, the camp was named for Chloride Jack Owen who was with Jackson McCracken discovered the Mc Cracken silver mine in 1874. There was a hotel, a store and a saloon. The post office came in 1899 and discontinued in 1914. Farming and stockraising supplemented the mining in the area with its some 150 residents.

Peace Ferry- Take US 93 north to little community Dolan Springs and Meadview. If you like Joshua trees, you will find worlds best trees in Joshua Tree National Monument. Not much of a footprint. In 1876, before they built the dams and bridges over Colorado River, Pearce Ferry was an important crossing place for travelers. This was the place where John Wesley Powell's expedition stopped after exploring the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The last 5 miles, which is dirt will bring you to the beach on the Colorado River

Pittsburg- See Liverpool Landing

Polhamus Landing - Waiting near the Davis Dam with no remaining footprints, They named Polhamus Landing to honor Captain Isaac Polhamus, a steamboat captain for a Yuma paddle-wheeler company. Polhamus had a warehouse and other buildings and served as a drop off point for nearby mining towns. When the railroads came through most all the landing towns became obsolete and so was Polhamus fate.

Powell- Six miles East of the Colorado River. Powell began as a station on the Santa Fe Railroad and was originally called "The Needles"; developed into a small settlement and had a post office beginning in 1883. The first postmaster changed the name to honor Major John Powell

Pyramid- Near Davis Dam in Pyramid Canyon. Pyramid begin in 1898 as Sheeptrail because of the nearby mine of the same name; the name was changed to Pyramid in 1899 because of the location in Pyramid Canyon. The post office closed in 1901.

Signal - So very isolated, and fairly well preserved but the old bar mentioned in most ghost town books is not there anymore. Take US 60/US 93 north, mile 133 (Phoenix to Lake Mead), then drive 16 miles west. A few buildings and some major mining equipment mark the spot. Signal's post office was established October 15, 1877.

Three years after the discovery of the McCracken mine in 1884, Signal had its own mine and mills for itself and McCracken. The major problem for Signal was getting freight to the isolated location. Supplies coming from San Francisco arrived at Signal via rail to the West sie of the Clorado River at Yuma, then by barge up the river to Aubrey Landing and then thirty-five miles by ule tam. Shop owners had to order 6 months in advance. With months the town had two hundrd buildings and almost 1800 people and boasted its brewery.

By the mid 1880s, Signal's population decreased to about three hundred. Mining was up and down for years and finally petered out in 1932. There is sometimes a caretaker today at Signal .

This town jumped from nothing during the silver hunt in 1877 and in the next 3 years town reach 800 citizens. 10 years after silver was gone but post office was open until 1932. To day is almost no memory left of once busy town.

Snowball- Approx. one mile west of Oatman with one winter home of relatively modern construction, sometimes occupied by owners, with outbuildings and an interesting old aluminum "riverboat" sitting behind it, 15 miles from the nearest navigable waters, the Colorado River.
Mining remains from when apparently occupied prior to 1900, up through late 1930's or early 1940's. When gold mining shut down due to World War 2, the post office left.A fellow, George Otterson packed water to Snowball on burros. He remembered a Chinese restaurant, two saloons, and several families. Remains of power or telegraph poles along the old road tell of some "modern conveniences" such as electric lights.

Stockton- Located along the road which leads from US 389 to Toroweap Overlook and now located within the boundaries of the new Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.Only the charred remains of the church and one farm exists today in the town where the post office came in 1888 and left in 1892.

Stockton Hill was the site for the mines responsible for the towns of Stockton, Mineral Park, and Cerbat. Most of th miners were "Cousin Jacks", Cornish emigrants. Discovered in the 1860's, the silver mines made Stockton the liveliest mining camp in Mohave county. As the mines played out, so did the town. There is still some mining nearby today

Tuweep - (Tuweap) Tuweep was a small settlement serving the ranchers in the area around Mount Trumbull, esp. the Toroweap Valley. In July 2000, some Mormon vandals destroyed the church and the other buildings associated with the village, which had a post office from 1929 to 1950. (The vandals were apprehended, and eventually pleaded guilty

Virginia City- Near the McCracken mine with few footprints. Virginia City was the mill town for the McCracken mine. Being directly across from the town of Signal, could be one and the same. The post office was at Signal but the 20- stamp mill was at Virginia City. There was a drugstore, saloon, hotel, restaurant, general store, and many dwellings. There was at one time between six and seven hundred people living here. Ruins include the McCracken mill are visible.

Vivian- Just two miles West of Oatman, some think Vivian is Oatman's forerunner. Actually, this is a totally separate town pre-dating the heydays of Oatman. Stonewalls, tanks, foundations, small powderhouse, railroad grade are the few footprints left.

Area occupied as early as 1860's, post office operated from 1904 to 1909. James H. Knight served as postmaster. There were many stores and saloons. A narrow gauge railroad served the town, transporting ore to Milltown, several miles away, and 17 miles further to the Colorado River across from Needles, CA. Vivian served the Leland, Midnight, and later the Vivian mines. By 1909 the Leland and Midnight mines were idle, with one 700 foot shaft under water. Waters from the Colorado River washed away six miles of the railway, which ended full-scale mining until 1929. In 1937, a 125-ton mill arrived which employed 50 men. Full time work ended when the government declared mining non-essential to the WW 11 effort. This dealt the deathblow to Vivian.

Weaver 1888 Rich Hill is background

Courtest Sharlot Hall Museum

Weaver-It was the Indians who first reported th gold that was later found by Pauline Weaver as he ed a gourp to the discovery at Rich Hill, the richest placer discovery every made in Arizona. A tent cit went up and led to placers on Weaver and Antelope Creeks. The tents quickly turned to rock and wood buildings.

As the population grew so did the thieves and gunmen. The last incident happened in 1898 when William Segna, owner of the saloon and a merchant in Weaver was mudered. It was the town "to tough and wicked to live in". Some of the prospectors still live in Weaver with its small cemetery and assorted ruins.

White Hills circa 1905
Courtesy Arizona Historical Society

White Hill-

White Hills was the toughest town between Globe and Virginia City in 1890's. In May 1892 one Indian, Hualapai Jeff, looking for iron oxide for a face paint, found silver He pointed place to judge Henry Shaffer who started the first mine in this area. In a just two months White Hills reach 200 houses, general store and saloons. Two years letter town reach a opulation of 1500 citizens. In the first 6 years of the towns existence, the 15 mines give over $12.000.000 in silver. Mines and city disappear in 1914. Today there are no memory left, but only a few scattered remains, mining equipment and foundations . Very sparse, mining equipment, foundations.

White Hill's post office, established October 20, 1892, discontinued August 15, 1914. White Hills went from nothing to a town of 200 people in two weeks when they discovered silver. White Hills had electric lights, running water, and telephone and soon the largest mining camp in Mohave county. When the mines played out, so did the population of the town and today there are only a few scattered remains

White Hills is seen from the highway, the wood from the buildings at White Hills, used to construct a real estate development beyond the pass. On US 60/US 93 north, mile 29 (Phoenix to Lake Mead).

Willow Grove Camp- Established in 1864 and discontinued in 1869. It was an unhealthy place and the troops were withdrawn in 1869.

Wolf Hole- Not difficult to find using the DeLorme Gazetteer, and the road is well-graded. One house, some foundations Wolf Hole appears to have been a small ranching and farming community. Major John Wesley Powell, who apparently mis-translated its Pah-Ute name, gave "Coyote Spring", its name. There was a post office from 1918 to 1927.

MOHAVE COUNTY TREASURE

Papago Well- A treasure from a wagon train massacre is buried West of O'Neil Pass near Papago Well.

Secret Pass- Indians made several attacks on emigrant trains in Secret Pass and buried a large store of weapons in a concealed cave. The cave is located at the Western or Colorado River side of Secret Pass where thumb Butte is a prominent rock formation nearby.

Spanish priests, in charge of a wagon train enroute from Mexico to California where they concealed all their items and treasures in a cave in the area of Secret Pass.

Treasure

Crescent Springs- Treasure was taken by pirates from the streamer Gila near here.

Interesting Facts

Grand Canyon- When former Senator Barry Goldwater died in May, 1998, his ashes were scattered here in the Grand Canyon.

Kingman- Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married here on March 29, 1939. Greta Garbo and direcgtor Rouben Manoulian stayed in the Beale Hotl here in 1933. She had room 12 and he had room 17.