If an RVer ever stumbles upon Jerome, Arizona, he/she may not easily realize the prominent history that occurred there. Things like mining, education, and history thrive in Jerome today despite the rumors of ghost towns heard throughout the state.
Back in the 1900s, Jerome was a thriving mining town situated in the Verde Valley of Arizona. James Douglas was the owner of a well-known mine, Little Daisy Mine (later United Verde Extension), that provided most of the jobs for the locals. Douglas fashioned himself a mansion in Jerome for entertaining guests and friends while visiting the mine. During this time, Jerome hit their peak population of 15,000 people as the mining was at its prime and people were prospering.
After 1938, the United Verde Extension mine was closed down as mining excavations declined. The Douglas mansion continued to stand and was furnished up until he died. Shortly after his death, the house was passed around between mining offices and relatives. Finally, after a sale of the house fell through, the Douglas family donated the house to Arizona State Parks, where people can see how time and history has passed in Jerome.
After becoming Arizona’s fifth state park, Jerome State Historic Park gives the public access to the Douglas home in the form of an Arizona State Parks museum. Details of the mining history and past of Jerome itself are laid out in front of tourists as they wander through the two-story house that once belonged to one of Jerome’s finest.
“The historic house museum is devoted to the history of the Jerome area, mining, and the Douglas family.” [Photo Credit: AZ State Parks]
Visitors to Jerome State Historic Park can expect to see things like 3D dioramas of the tunnels built underneath the town itself and panoramic displays showing the changes of the city of Jerome as years have passed. Wes Yeager, Jerome State Historic Park Manager, gave details about his favorite things the museum and park have to offer: “The museum has an outstanding 30 minute long video presentation detailing the history of Jerome. Outside of the museum we have mining equipment, some functional, that was used in the Jerome mines and surrounding area. The park also has a picnic area with incredible views of the Verde Valley and the red rocks of Sedona.”
Not every traveler comes to learn about the history of mining in Arizona as Yeager has realized over the years. When asked about the ghost town travelers come to see, Yeager grew excited about clearing the air, “Being a historian I love to try and clear this one up for people. Jerome is not a ghost town and never was. Jerome's peak population was 15,000 people at one point, and when the mines closed down in 1953 most of the population did move on. The population went down to almost 100 people at one point, so you can clearly see how one would think the town turned “ghost”. But in reality Jerome never did go away. In fact, Jerome was still the center for education in the Verde Valley up until 1972 when a new high school was built in Cottonwood.”
Despite the ghost town rumors being false, so many travelers come through expecting a ghost town in Jerome. Because of the myth, something of a ghost town attraction, called The Gold King and Mine Museum, was created near Haynes mine for tourists. Although Haynes mine was never the location of a real town, the idea of a ghost town draws many people about a mile out of Jerome to see it. Because of the history and lore of Jerome, travelers wandering through will be hard pressed to see miners in the mines. Instead the town itself now depends on the tourists that come through as many restaurants and art galleries are scattered throughout the streets.
Although Jerome State Historic Park and other tourist attractions are only available for day use to visitors, Jerome has recently created a large parking lot to accommodate RVs traveling through for the day. Winding roads may make Jerome a difficult visit for some RVers, but rigs less than 50 feet are road legal in town and on the surrounding highways.
“Exhibit inside the museum showing a 3-D model of the town with its underground mines.” [Photo Credit: AZ State Parks]
Despite the sharp curves and narrow roads, there are other RV parks in the area that are safe for all RV sizes. Yeager named a few spots for travelers to hook up in Verde Valley for the night after visiting Jerome. “Dead Horse Ranch State Park is only about 8 miles from here at 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road in Cottonwood.” There are also two Forest Service campgrounds on the top of Mingus Mountain, about 6 miles from Jerome. There is no RV park or camping in Jerome proper however.”
Jerome has become a town for passing through as many RVers spend their nights in surrounding areas like Red Rock State Park and Fort Verde State Park. Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma’s Castle are a few stops travelers often visit going to and from Jerome, too.
Even though the rumors of the ghost town of Jerome are not true, the town itself has much more to offer than meets the eye. As a once thriving mining town, Jerome has seen ebbs and flows like most Western states, but it has become a place for RVers and Arizona daytrippers to escape and see the wilderness, learn the economic history, and quietly relax.