A Brief History of the Area
The quaint town of Jerome, Arizona, now home to just under 500 residents, is packed with rich history, ghostly attractions, and tourist spots. We recommend this day trip, as it’s a quick, 30-minute drive from our Waypoint Outposts.
Along the streets of this city, resting high on a hill overlooking the Verde Valley, you’ll find traces of its mining history, ghost town stories, and other fun historical highlights.
During the mid-1800s, when the area became part of U.S. territory, the population grew with ranchers and prospectors settling in, drawn to the mining possibilities of the land. But it was closer to 1880 before the interest in copper mining took off and several mines were established.
You can visit the town and find out about the ups and downs of its mining history. Jerome has lasted through a tumultuous past, and now tourists are entertained daily by the stories and tales when they roam the streets.
4 Historical Stops
- Tours of Jerome: Be sure to catch a tour of the town. There are endless stories to accompany the streets and sites of Jerome, and it’s well worth having a guide to chat through and give you a deeper understanding of the town’s past. Make note of which tours are family friendly, as Jerome offers spooky ghost tours in addition to historical tours of its shady past.
- Jerome’s Sliding Jail: Just down from Jerome’s main street sits a sad-looking jail. You can venture to it and find out how it received its name. Hint: it used to stand 225 feet from where it now rests. While the town (briefly nicknamed the “wickedest town in the west) used to be more in need of this jail’s services, the structure now sits quietly as a tourist attraction for a fun photo op.
- Jerome State Historic Park: A museum dedicated to Jerome’s history lies within the old mansion of the Douglas family. As the founder of the Little Daisy Mine, James S. Douglas built his home initially as a hotel for his family along with important investors and officials. The historic structure still stands, and a tour inside its walls will dive deeply into the stories and adventures of Jerome’s past.
- Mine Museum: If you’re specifically interested in Jerome’s claim to fame, check out the Mine Museum. You’ll get a front row seat to see various mining equipment used in the 1800s, including various cages, drills, and tools that miners used on a daily basis many years ago. Household supplies, hospital remnants, and gambling souvenirs are also included in the displays. You can make a pit stop in the gift shop on your way out and take a piece of history with you to remember your adventure.
This cute and sleepy town is worth a visit while you’re staying with us at Waypoint Outposts. Whether it’s rich mining history, old ghost stories, or simply a look into the town’s past, you’re sure to find this quaint stop worth a visit with the family.
Sources:
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-jerome/
https://www.travelingmom.com/family-vacation-destinations/jerome-az-ghost-town/
https://azstateparks.com/jerome/about-the-mansion/period-history
https://www.jeromehistoricalsociety.com/museums-buildings/mine-museum/
