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Arizona is full of Ghost Towns and abandoned mine sites. I had a book once that had been published in 1878 called '1,000 Old Arizona Mines'.
You can imagine now how many places there really are. Of course, most of these locations have little remains and are there in thought only, or are in such inaccessable places as to afford them protection from unruly vandels. Hard to get to, but worth the trip. I'll be featuring new towns every month or two, so keep checking back. More information can be had by dropping me an E-mail.
August 2004 Brucknows Cabin
Standing alone, surrounded only by scrub creosote and a cold, uneasy spirit, 4 walls of eroding stone and adobe lie East of the San Pedro River between Sierra Vista and Tombstone. Labeled 'The Bloodiest Cabin in Arizona', at least 17 murders occurred on the property (or in the nearby area).
Originally built by Fredrick Brucknow, a graduate from the University of Westphalia, scholar and scientist exiled from Germany who was involved in claims in the area, nothing remains but knee high walls that used to form the rectangular body of the house. Brucknow was murdered by Apaches as be was digging a mine near his place. There were 17 Documented murders (Of All Races) but it is said that there were many more. A man named Ed Schifflen went into this area searching for the ever elusive treasure, Gold, and told his acquaintances he was going to find his fortune. They retorted that he would only find his Tombstone. He used Brucknow's fireplace to melt down and assay his findings, which were abundant in Gold, and in a matter of time, the town of Tombstone was born. I believe it was the Lucky Cuss mine that the ore came from but don't quote me on that. So many mines, so little time....
I was introduced to the cabin by a friend who had taken an 8 X 11 Polaroid of it at one time. In the clouds in the picture, you could make out two faces, one seemingly of Mexican or Indian nationality, and the other, a gaunt, bearded German looking man. I have never seen a picture of Brucknow, but if I ever do, and it's the same, It'll give me chills close to those I experienced when I finally visited the site.
It took three trips as each time, something happened that prevented the trip from being complete. Finally, back in 85 or 86, I made it there. It's on a rolling hills terrain, not much there but scrub brush and rocks, and no trees either. The fireplace was intact at that time but a large crack foretold of its demise, which would soon follow. The atmosphere was quiet. Not a sound. No Bugs, birds or life of any kind. Just a sharp whistling wind that seemed to howl a loneliness all it's own. While I was glad to have finally reached the cabin (A great day for any ghost towner), I left with a cold, dark feeling that I really didn't belong there, or, for that fact, wasn't wanted there. While the reasoning for every killing is not known, the hunt for Gold changes even the strongest characters into thieving, killing machines. Greed. While Gold ends up as many peoples wealth and riches, it is more often anothers undoing. An ingredient that when used too much or sought too much, ruins even the best recipes life can create. Knowing where riches and wealth truly lie (Within each of us) is still an unsought secret to many. Ed Schifflen found his fortune, Frederick Brucknow found his Tombstone. Appears as Bronkow on Hinton's 1886 map, Broncho on smiths 1879 map. About 3-4 miles east of Charleston.
February 2003
SILVER KING
One place I found interesting was the old Silver King mines, located outside of Superior near the Boyce Thompson Arboritum Area. Other than Cyanide Ground contaminations, Silver King still had the old 2 story building that you find on so many Ghost Town book covers. I don't know if it still stands. I imagine not, but if you know different, or better yet, have a current pic, let me know. As soon as I get a scanner, I'll start adding my own town photos. Silver King, of course, was a silver mine, and quite a prosporous one at that. You may notice I rarely include good directions. I believe that if you have to find it yourself, you'll take better care of it when you get there because sometimes it's work. When I went to Silver King, it was gated off and posted no tresspassing. Since the signs were not maintained and of unsure age, we ventured on. The terrain is basically whats left other than a few foundations, pits and such. As said before, the area used to have a high Cyanide content so beware of the possibilities and be safe. Cyanide is deadly. I'd tell you more about this town, but think you'll have more fun researching it more on your own. Of course I am very willing to answer any E-mails regarding Ghost Towns & Mines.
PAST TOWNS
G I L L E T T E, AZ
Located on the boarder of Maricopa and Yavapai counties, this townsite started as a stage stop on the Black Canyon Stage Route. It also served as the first milling site for Tip Top, a nearby mine up in the Bradshaw Mountains that produced Silver and then Tungsten. Located on the Agua Fria river, they set up a 5-stamp mill to process the ore from Tip Top until water was made available at the mine site.
Named after Daniel B. Gillette, superintendent of the Tip Top mine. On some maps, it was Gillett, and on others, Gillette. Only the scant walls of the old Burfind Hotel mark the spot as well as a few Olive Trees that are not local plants to this region. Nearest current cities include New River, Bumble Bee and Black Canyon City.
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TIP TOP
Called such because it was believed to be 'a Tip Top prospect', this little town is nestled high in the southern Bradshaw Mountains north of New River. I took a trip there earlier this December (2002), having along with me my Daughter Samantha. We trekked to our favorite One and Two Penny Chairs, crossed the dry Aqua Fria river and went to the Burfind Hotel in Gillette (Last Months Town). She was lucky enough to find a Kennedy Bicentennial Half Dollar as soon as she got out of the vehicle. We then decided to take the rough road the 9 + miles to Tip Top. I hadn't been there in roughly 15 yrs. The road is rouch and slow. It also eats tires and gas tanks but the ground in the surrounding hills is filled with quartz and mica and glisten like a fresh spring rain whenever the sun shines. An interesting effect in such a dry area. We indeed made it all the way to Tip Top. The building remnants (3) no longer had the roofs and even some of the walls are now nothing but tumbled down rocks decaying in the desert. The Main Shaft is still up un the hill, railroad tracks and all. I have been down this slanted shaft about 100 feet, or where it turns vertical, holding onto the rails only, like an idiot. I want to go back down and go farther but need a good rope next time.
Other side shafts and mine entrances were still there, visible and open across the hillsides. The distances to walk through this area are long and the elevation is steep. Hard climbing for alot of folk so come prepared. Lots of wondrous Saguaro's all over too.
Tip Top was a silver mine until WWI when silver prices declined and the mine closed. Later, it repoened as a tungsten mine. The ore from the mine first was taken by 20 mule team to the Agua Frai river 9 miles away, thus creating the townsite of Gillette, named after Dan Gillette, Superintendent of the Tip Top mine. When the mine got their own water flow going, Gillette dried up so to speak. Tip Top now lies in ruins and I haven't found the cemetaries there yet, at least not that I'll admit.
I also poked a hole in my gas tank on this trip. Blue RV Gasket Sealer worked well mixed with the local fine dirt. Hey, it got me back to Phoenix.
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