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 Pre-1860 history
The
Jerome Deportation
The
Yavapai
Tuzigoot
National Monument
Jerome
State Historic Park
Jerome, Arizona
History
"Born in
1876"
 Located high on top of
Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the
historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. A unique place to get away from
the routiene in our lives.
Considering a stay in
Jerome?Jerome has everything a traveler could want! From the
historic Connor Hotel and the Ghost City Inn, to the Jerome Grand Hotel, Inn at
Jerome, Hillside House and Cottage Inn, there is an accomodation to fit every
situation. A overnight stay in Jerome lets the traveler experience what has
beckoned people for years to come to Jerome. Many of them ending up living
here.
What is the Town of
Jerome like today? Is it worth your time to visit? The answer is a resounding
yes! Jerome is an enchanting town, and a photographer's paradise. From its
external appearances it hasn't changed much in nearly 100 years. Many of the
buildings used by present-day business folks are those built after the fires of
1894 and1899. A number of the buildings have been restored and more are planned
for restoration. Due to the 30-degree incline of the mountainside, gravity has
pulled a number of buildings down the slope. To the delight of some, one of
those buildings was the town's jail. Those buildings still standing make for
interesting visiting and with a little research you can find their historical
significance. One notable section is the "Cribs District." You will find this
area across the street from the English Kitchen, in a back alley where all the
buildings were are part of Jerome's ill-famed "prostitution row."
At the turn of the twentieth century, the
town of Jerome was a collection of houses and buildings, not beautiful, seldom
comfortable or durable.
Those who came were willing to put up with
conditions for the time. No one expected to die here. Jerome was for making a
stake and going somewhere else to spend the easy fortune. It was above all else a mining town. Most
of its people were young men drawn by the advantages of steady employment and
excitement.
As the 20th century grew older, Jerome
became an around the clock, three shift town boasting 13 hotels, 21 bars, and 8
houses of prostitution with names like "The Cuban Queen," and the less elegant
"Cribs." Belgian Jenny, the honky-tonk queen of the houses of light love is
Jerome's most famous Madam.
World War I brought prosperity, growth and
labor unrest. The town boomed. Disaster's presence was always near. Dynamite,
cages for descending into the tunnels, cave-ins and heavy equipment were a
dangerous combination.
During the Great Depression of the 1930's,
production slowed. It was during the '30's that dynamite blasts combined with
general shifting caused parts of the town to crack or slide. One particularly
powerful blast caused a whole block to slide down to the next level, and the
"sliding jail" came to rest a block from its intended location.
World War II revived the mines for a short
time, but mining towns die young, and by 1953, after belching copper for more
than 70 years - 800 million dollars worth - the great shafts were
silent.
The remaining citizens, mostly mine
officials and retirees, realized the potential for making Jerome a whistle stop
on the way to Phoenix or California. Labeled "America's most unique ghost
city," the town that had nearly been left for dead found new life.
There were people
here before the west was won.
If you're
interested in Jerome's History, the Mine Museum, owned and operated by the
Jerome Historical Society, sells history books and tapes about Jerome. You can
also join the Jerome Historical Society (JHS) and receive a quarterly
newsletter about the history of Jerome in depth. JHS has actively preserved
Jerome's old buildings and historic status and sponsors cultural and historical
events.
Email history@verdenet.com
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