Category: Ghost Towns

Ghost towns are fun places to explore and commonly great destinations for a 4×4 trip.

Millville Arizona

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Millville Arizona is a ghost town and sister city to Charleston, Arizona located along the San Pedro River, in Cochise County, Arizona. Charleston served as a type of residential community to Millville, while Millville served as a silver ore processing center for the silver mines of Tombstone, Arizona.

Millville, sister town to Charleston located just across the San Pedro River, circa 1880
Millville, sister town to Charleston located just across the San Pedro River, circa 1880

Millville is built to process ore from nearby Tombstone, which is located about 9 miles northeast of Charleston. The stamp mills in Millville is owned by Tombstone Mill and Mining Company and Corbin Mill and Mining Company started operations in 1879. Peak operations are from 1881 – 1882 where the mills processed 1.4 million dollars in silver bullion

In 1886 the silver mines in Tombstone flooded with water. The mills in Millville were forced to shut down, and Charleston and Millville went into steep decline. In the 1890’s, Charleston and Millville are abandoned and considered a ghost towns. Charleston was briefly inhabited in the 1890s by a small population of Mexican immigrants who used the remaining wooden structures as firewood.

Millville Town Summary

NameMillville, Arizona
LocationCochise County, Arizona
Latitude, Longitude31.6350, -110.1737
Elevation1216 meters / 3990 feet
GNIS
Post OfficeMay 26, 1879 – May 3, 1880

Millville Trail Map

Millville is located about 9 miles southwest of Tombstone, Arizona. Charleston and Millville are not accessible by car and can only be reached by hiking up the San Pedro River. The Bureau of Land Management has begun maintaining trails to and from the area. 

Refereces

Charleston Arizona

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Charleston, Arizona is a ghost town located in Cochise County, Arizona. the town operated from the late 1870’s through the 1880’s. The town is founded as a sister city of Millville, Arizona, which is located just across the San Pedro River. Charleston served as a type of residential community to Millville.

Charleston, circa 1885 - Photograph by C. S Fly
Charleston, circa 1885 – Photograph by C. S Fly

Millville, and later Charleston, is built to process ore from nearby Tombstone, which is located about 9 miles northeast of Charleston. The stamp mills in Millville is owned by Tombstone Mill and Mining Company and Corbin Mill and Mining Company started operations in 1879. Peak operations are from 1881 – 1882 where the mills processed 1.4 million dollars in silver bullion.

J.W. Swart's Saloon in Charleston, circa 1885
J.W. Swart’s Saloon in Charleston, circa 1885

At its peak, Charleston suffered a nasty reputation of a rough and tumble town. Following the notorious gunfight in Tombstone, Charleston which claimed the Clantons, the McLaurys, Johnny Ringo, “Curly Bill” Brocius, Pete Spence and Frank Stillwell, as citizens, it is no wonder the town is found guilty by association. In Charleston, Frank Stillwell was the previous owner of the J.W. Swart saloon prior to selling in 1881. The bulk of the these men are under the employment of the Clanton’s Ranch. On May 6, 1882, The Tombstone Epitaph reported on Charleston that the town is “well regulated and free from turmoil” and “one of the most peaceful places we were ever in.”

In 1886 the silver mines in Tombstone flooded with water. The mills in Millville were forced to shut down, and Charleston and Millville went into steep decline. In the 1890’s, Charleston is abandoned and considered a ghost town. Charleston was briefly inhabited in the 1890s by a small population of Mexican immigrants who used the remaining wooden structures as firewood.

Charleston Town Summary

NameCharleston, Arizona
LocationCochise County, Arizona
Also Known AsCharleston Station
Latitude, Longitude31.6358, -110.1725
Elevation1216 meters / 3990 feet
GNIS24360
Population400
Post OfficeApril 17, 1879 – October 24, 1888

Charleston Trail Map

Charleston is located about 9 miles southwest of Tombstone, Arizona. Charleston and Millville are not accessible by car and can only be reached by hiking up the San Pedro River. The Bureau of Land Management has begun maintaining trails to and from the area. 

Charleston Arizona Persons of Interest

Historical photo of Ike Clanton in 1881 by photographer Camillus S. Fly, Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Joseph Isaac Clanton

Joseph Isaac Clanton, commonly knows as "Ike" Clanton was a notable figure in the American Old West, primarily recognized for his involvement in the notorious…
Newman Haynes “Old Man” Clanton (1816 – 1881 )

Newman Haynes Clanton

Newman Haynes Clanton was a central figure in the tumultuous period of the American frontier, representing the complex interplay of law, crime, and social dynamics…
The only known portrait photo of Frank McLaury of Tombstone.

Robert Findley McLaury

The only known portrait photo of Frank McLaury of Tombstone. Robert Findley McLaury, known as Frank McLaury (1857–1881) was a notable figure in the American…
Thomas McLaury of Tombstone in 1879

Thomas McLaury 

Thomas McLaury of Tombstone in 1879 Tom McLaury, born as Thomas McLaury, was a key figure in the tumultuous environment of the American frontier during…

References

Vulture City Arizona

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Tip Top Arizona

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Founded in 1876, Tip Top Arizona is a old Silver Mining town and ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The town site is located west of Black Canyon City, in the southern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.

Northern end of Tip Top, circa 1888. Visible are the stamp mill (1), assay office (2), brewery (3), beer hall (4), restaurant (5), saloon (6), hotel (7), and mine workings (8).
Northern end of Tip Top, circa 1888. Visible are the stamp mill (1), assay office (2), brewery (3), beer hall (4), restaurant (5), saloon (6), hotel (7), and mine workings (8).

In the late 1870s, gold and silver were discovered in the Bradshaw Mountains, attracting prospectors and miners seeking their fortune. In 1876, the Tip Top Mining District was established by two men, Jack Moore and Bill Corning, and the town of Tip Top sprung up around it. Initially, nearby Gillett served as the milling town.

The district quickly gained a reputation for its rich ore deposits and attracted significant investment and development. The first mining claims were staked, and a stamp mill was constructed to process the ores. With the arrival of the railroad in nearby Phoenix, Tip Top saw an influx of miners, merchants, and entrepreneurs, leading to its rapid growth. A Post Office is established on August 12, 1880

During the boom times, Tip Top boasted six saloons, a brewery, two restaurants, a Chinese laundry, a feed yard, a blacksmith shop, a shoe store, and many residences. The Post Office is closed February 14, 1895.

Southern part of Tip Top, circa 1888. Visible are the stamp mill (1) and the mine office (2).
Southern part of Tip Top, circa 1888. Visible are the stamp mill (1) and the mine office (2).

During is heyday, the silver mines of Tip Top produced over $4,000,000 from its ore deposits.

Town Summary

NameTip Top, Arizona
LocationYavapai County, Arizona
Latitude, Longitude34.0508662, -112.2468296
Elevation765 meters / 2510 feet
GNIS1669455
Population1200
Post OfficeAugust 12, 1880 – February 14, 1895

Trail Map

According to Dangerous Roads the trail into Tip Top Arizona is closed and and the area is undergoing land changes. Other resources state that the road was closed in 2009.

References

Hamilton Nevada

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Hamilton is a small ghost town located in White Pine County, Nevada, in the western United States. Despite its current state, the town has a rich and fascinating history. Hamilton, originally known as “Cave City,” was established in 1868 by prospectors searching for silver in the surrounding mountains. The town was renamed Hamilton in honor of a prominent local businessman, W. A. Hamilton, who helped finance the development of the area.

Main Street in Hamilton, Nevada, 1869 showing the two-story Withington Hotel,
Main Street in Hamilton, Nevada, 1869 showing the two-story Withington Hotel,

During its peak, Hamilton was a bustling town with a population of over 2,000 people. The town had several hotels, saloons, stores, and a post office. It also had a school, a church, and a theater, which hosted traveling shows and performances. The town’s main industry was mining, and several mines operated in the area, including the Hamilton, Treasure City, and Ward mines.

In the late 19th century, Hamilton was a prosperous town, and its residents enjoyed a good quality of life. However, in the early 20th century, the town began to decline as the mines ran out of ore and the price of silver fell. Many of the town’s residents left in search of better opportunities, and the town’s population dwindled.

During World War II, Hamilton briefly experienced a resurgence as the demand for minerals increased. The town’s mines were reopened, and new mining techniques were introduced. However, after the war, the demand for minerals declined, and the mines were once again closed.

By the 1950s, Hamilton was virtually abandoned, and most of its buildings had fallen into disrepair. However, the town’s history and architecture attracted the attention of preservationists, and efforts were made to restore some of the buildings. In 1961, the Hamilton Ghost Town was established, and the remaining buildings were preserved as a tourist attraction.

The Smoky Mill, built in 1869 for $60m000 was at the east end of Hamilton, receiving ore from Treasure hill
The Smoky Mill, built in 1869 for $60m000 was at the east end of Hamilton, receiving ore from Treasure hill

Today, Hamilton is a popular destination for tourists interested in Nevada’s mining history. Visitors can explore the town’s preserved buildings, including the schoolhouse, the jail, and the saloon. The town’s cemetery, which dates back to the late 19th century, is also a popular attraction.

In recent years, Hamilton has been the subject of several documentaries and books, which have helped to raise awareness of its history. The town’s abandoned buildings and desolate surroundings provide a glimpse into Nevada’s past and remind us of the hardships and challenges faced by those who settled and worked in the area.

Hamilton, Nevada, may be a ghost town today, but its history and legacy live on. The town’s story is a reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that have characterized Nevada’s mining industry and the resilience of the people who lived and worked in the area. Hamilton is a testament to the human spirit and a valuable piece of Nevada’s history that should be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

Hamilton Nevada Town Summary

NameHamilton Nevada
LocationWhite Pine county, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.2529, -115.4864
GNIS859930
Elevation2456 meters / 8058 feet
NewspaperInland Empire Mar 27, 1869 – Apr 10, 1870; Oct 4 – Nov 9, 1870
Nevada State Historic Marker No53
Nevada State Historic Marker Lat/Long39.3535, -115.3946

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Hamilton Nevada is Nevada State Historic Marker number fifty three.

The mines of the White Pine district were first established in 1865.  Between 1868 and 1875, they supported many thriving towns including Hamilton, Eberhardt, Treasure City, and Shermantown.  These communities, now all ghost towns, are clustered eleven miles south of this point.

Hamilton and its neighbors thrived as a result of large-scale silver discoveries in 1868.  Experiencing one of the most intense, but shortest-lived silver stampedes ever recorded, the years 1868-1869 saw some 10,000 people living in huts and caves on Treasure Hill at Mount Hamilton, at an elevation of 8,000 to 10,500 feet above sea level.

Hamilton was incorporated in 1869 and became the first county seat of White Pine County that same year.  It was disincorporated in 1875.  In this brief span of time, a full-sized town came into bloom with a main street and all the usual businesses.  Mine brick courthouse was constructed in 1870.

On June 27, 1873, the main portion of the town was destroyed by fire.  The town never fully recovered.  In 1885, another fire burned the courthouse and caused the removal of the White Pine County seat to Ely.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 53
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
WHITE PINE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC.

Trail Map

References