Jerome, Arizona

Jerome, Arizona, is perched on the side of Cleapatra Hill over rich ore deposits. In 1876, mining claims and a mill were located near the town. These claims were purchased in 1882 by the United Verde Company, and the tent camp was named Jerome after Eugene Jerome, a major financier of the company. Senator William Clark of Montana purchased the company in 1883. By the mid 1920s the population had grown to almost 15,000 before it began to decline. Although it survived numerous fires, many of the buildings seen today are the same ones that existed when the town was in its heyday. Main Street, remnants of the Red Light District, Company Hill, old hotels, and saloons still remain. When the mines shut down in the 1950s, the population was below 100, and the town became known as a ghost town. Today the population is close to 500, and Jerome is a thriving tourist destination and a national historic landmark.

Jerome, Arizona · United States