You Won't Believe This Town Is In Arizona
When visualizing Arizona, we often picture its most iconic symbols: towering saguaro cacti, sweeping desert landscapes, and the most famous landmark of them all, the colossal Grand Canyon. Many also associate the state with its hot, dry, and arid desert areas, despite its diverse climates. Just as we associate New York state with the Big Apple, and France with its famous capital, Arizona is inextricably linked to its desert identity.
While these postcard scenes and reigning perspectives fuel Arizona’s tourism, there is more to the Grand Canyon State than meets the eye. Jerome, a central Arizona town around 100 miles north of Phoenix, is one town you won’t believe exists. Reputation-defying, the historic mining town showcases a different side of Arizona: one thick with pine forests and cooled by milder temperatures. With a colorful history, quirky attractions, and a haunted reputation, you will not find an Arizona town quite like Jerome.
Jerome's Unique Geology and Climate
Jerome is located in the Black Hills of Yavapai County, overlooking the vast Verde Valley. Perched over 5,000 feet above sea level, the town’s rugged, elevated setting was vital to its settlement and resulting identity. But to understand the origins of its elevation, we first have to look back eons. Around 1.75 billion years ago, 2 ore bodies formed near a fractured undersea volcano near Jerome. Over time, tectonic plate collisions, erosion, and other geologic factors caused the ore bodies to push the other upwards, resulting in Jerome’s elevation.
This elevation sets Jerome apart from Arizona’s other small towns. Under the Köppen climate classification, the town has a Mediterranean climate, with mild temperatures compared to much of the state. Its summer temperatures can reach 100°F or more, although it typically ranges from 85 to 95°F according to Arizona State Parks. Winters are also comparably mild, ranging from the low 30s to the low 60s. This high elevation and climate also allows trees like the ponderosa pine to thrive in Prescott National Forest, which encompasses Jerome.
From Boomtown To Ghost Town
Originally part of Mexico, the area known as Jerome changed hands under the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a conclusion of the Mexican-American War. Under American ownership, the town was founded in 1876 as a copper mining camp. It was officially incorporated in 1908 and thrived as Arizona’s leading copper producer for a period of time.
However, like many boomtowns, Jerome saw its fair share of ups and downs. At its height in the 1920s, around 15,000 people lived in Jerome and the community thrived. Unfortunately, populations fluctuated dramatically due to various booms and busts. In time, Jerome faced several unignorable dilemmas: ore deposits ran dry, and the town began to slide, quite literally, down the hill it had been built on. By 1953, Jerome’s mines closed for good, almost all people moved away, and the town was all but forgotten.
Jerome Today
Despite nearly becoming a ghost town in the 1950s, the few that still called Jerome home fought to carry on its legacy. In 1953, the remaining residents formed the Jerome Historical Society and turned their attention to tourism. By 1967, their efforts paid off when the town was awarded National Historic Landmark status.
In unison, the town revitalized itself as an art haven, spotlighting galleries alongside its historic landmarks. Today, Jerome still only has a few hundred people who call it home, but according to True West Magazine, it receives close to 1 million visitors every year. Welcoming visitors from across the globe, Jerome stands out for its mild climate and unique natural surroundings, along with its art scene, mining history, Wild West past, and stunning natural surroundings.
Top Attractions And Activities In Jerome
Visit Jerome’s Famous Sliding Jail
Over 200 feet from where it was originally built, Jerome’s Sliding Jail is one of its coolest and most unusual attractions. A remnant of the Wild West, the jail once held the boozers and brawlers who earned Jerome its reputation of “Wickedest Town in America.” As a result of dynamite explosions from copper mines in the 1930s, the structure gradually “slid” down the hill it was built on. Today, long retired as a jail, it is a popular tourist landmark marked by a bronze historical plaque.
Travel Back In Time At Jerome State Historic Park
No visit to Jerome would be complete without stopping by the Jerome State Historic Park, a relic of Jerome’s mining peak. The park is centered around the historic Douglas Mansion, a landmark constructed in 1916 above the Little Daisy Mine. Its owner, Jimmy Douglas, designed the grand building to serve as a residence for his family and a hotel for mining investors and officials.
One of the largest adobe structures in Arizona, the hillside mansion was integral to reviving Jerome as a tourist town. After Jimmy Douglas’ sons donated the mansion to the State of Arizona in 1962, the park and museum opened in 1965. Today, visitors can tour the mansion and encounter a range of exhibits, including mineral displays, historic photographs, antique mining equipment, and a video 3-D model of Jerome’s underground mines. Back outdoors, several picnic areas allow guests to enjoy views of the beautiful Verde Valley below.
Pan For Gold At The Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town
Around 1-mile north of Jerome, the Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town is another quirky relic preserving history. The historic mining camp, formerly “Haynes,” is now an open-air museum with an eclectic collection of exhibits. On a self-guided tour, visitors can explore the property’s mining equipment and historic structures, including a miner’s cabin and a working turn-of-the-century sawmill. The museum also offers fun and educational activities for kids, including gold and gemstone panning.
Enjoy History And Haunts On A Jerome Ghost Tour
Locally owned and operated, Jerome Ghost Tours invites guests to journey back in time to Old Jerome. For history lovers, the operator offers experiences like the Jerome History Walk and Wild Wild West Tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tours lead through Jerome’s significant landmarks, including former brothels and an 1899 Old Bank Vault.
For paranormal enthusiasts, the Jerome Ghost Walk and Pandora’s Box tour are even more popular. Participants are equipped with spirit boxes and EMF readers, then led through Jerome’s haunted locales, including exclusive locations like the 1888 Haskins House. With a promise to “leave you with goosebumps,” these paranormal tours guarantee a thrill.
Discover Jerome’s Spirited Art Scene
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens, which could not be more true for Jerome. When its mines closed for good in the 1850s, the Arizona town took on a new face, welcoming artists, musicians, and free spirits. Embracing these new bohemian locals, the former mining town recentered its economy, focusing its tourism around history and art.
Today, Jerome continues to uplift local artists at places like the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery and the Jerome Art Center. Walking is the best way to explore the various galleries and museums, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes as you hike the winding hillside sidewalks.
Hike To Spectacular Valley Vistas
For nature lovers, Jerome is a gateway to gorgeous hiking paths like the Woodchute Trail. Described by AllTrails as a “hidden gem located in the Woodchute Wilderness,” the 6.7-mile out-and-back trail is a challenging hike with rewarding views. The route guides hikers through an open forest, thick with Jerome’s signature ponderosa pine. Deeper into the adventure, a ridge offers sweeping views of the Verde Valley, Sycamore Canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks.
Discover Arizona Beyond The Grand Canyon
As its nickname proves, the Grand Canyon State is synonymous with its spellbinding natural wonder of the world. However, there are also worlds to discover beyond Arizona’s iconic landmark. In Jerome, travelers can encounter a little of everything: history, haunts, art, and nature, tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills of Yavapai County.
The historic town also invites visitors to experience a side of Arizona not often showcased in travel guides. In place of cactuses and canyons, Jerome’s pine forests and cooler climate unveil a diversity not always believed to exist here. Whether exploring Jerome as a detour or devoting an entire trip to its quirks, this Arizona town promises depth and adventure.
