Friday, January 20, 2012

Desert Day Trip - Goldfield

Apparently, this was once a happening town. Before the turn of the century it was the second largest city in Arizona with 50 gold mining claims. It had about 4,000 people when Phoenix had maybe 1,100.  Prescott was the largest city at the time. It became a ghost town at some point. I don't know how much is actual town and how much is built to look like it may have looked or how tourists might like it to have looked. Anyhow, it is an interesting place.


There's a mine shaft and a place somewhere nearby to pan for gold.

 An old truck graveyard.

A couple old tractors (Scott thought Lynn might enjoy seeing these).
 Even a steam tractor!

An old water tank with a glimpse of the Superstitions in the background.

This would have been the view for the miners if they ventured out during daylight hours, and perhaps on Sundays if they were civil enough at the time to only work 6 days a week.

 A nice view of the mountains from the 'town.'

A look uphill.  The town is now shops and such - touristy. Back in the day there were 4 saloons. This one is quite a bit larger than the little church at the top of the hill.

The cowboy out front is trying to drum up business, but not for the house. He's offering horse rides.

 I think if we had more time we might have stopped in the saloon for a beverage and a listen.


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