Big Bug, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Big Bug, Arizona
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The mining smelters in Big Bug, Arizona, circa 1900
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 Big Bug, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Big Bug, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yavapai |
| Established | 1862 |
| Abandoned | circa 1910 |
| Named for | Big Bug Creek |
| Elevation | 3,461 ft (1,055 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| Post Office Opened | March 31, 1879 |
| Post Office Closed | March 31, 1910 |
Big Bug is a ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. It's about twelve miles southeast of Prescott. This old settlement was first started in 1862.
Contents
Exploring Big Bug's Past
Big Bug has an interesting history from the days of the American Frontier. The town was founded by a man named Theodore Boggs. This happened during the American Civil War.
Who Was Theodore Boggs?
Theodore Boggs had a famous father, Lilburn Boggs. His father was a former governor of Missouri. Theodore himself traveled west to California when he was ten. Part of his journey was with the famous Donner Party. His mother was also related to the pioneer Daniel Boone.
How Big Bug Started
In 1862, Theodore Boggs left California. He came to Arizona and settled near Big Bug Creek. He started working on a mining claim there. Soon, a mine was built, along with other necessary buildings. A small town grew around it. It usually had about 100 people living there. The actual mine was a short walk from the town. In the beginning, only four men worked the mine. These were Theodore Boggs and three others.
Life in the Town
By 1890, Big Bug had 115 residents. The town had only been open for a month when native people discovered it. They attacked soon after.
A post office opened in Big Bug in 1879. It stayed open until 1910. For a while, the post office was actually Theodore Boggs' house! An assistant postmistress, Miss Dawson, would deliver mail. She rode a horse all around the town and nearby areas. Over time, the mines began to close. This caused the town to slowly die out.
Gold Mining Returns
In the 1930s, small-scale miners returned to Big Bug Creek. Large boulders in the creek had stopped big machines from being used before. This meant a lot of gold was still left. In 1932, about 60 amateur miners worked there. Some found as much as $300 worth of gold a week. They even found some gold nuggets!
The Big Bug area produced a lot of gold. Records show about 17,000 troy ounces (which is about 528.8 kg). But the total amount was likely around 50,000 ounces (1,417.5 kg). Most of this came from dredging in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, Big Bug Creek still shows signs of old mining. However, almost nothing is left of the original town from 2010.
Battle of Big Bug Creek
The Battle of Big Bug was a small fight during the Apache Wars. It involved Theodore Boggs and three other miners.
The Attack
One night, Apaches attacked the mine. Boggs and the three other miners were sleeping. One miner woke up when he heard their dog crying. He looked out and saw the dog with an arrow in its side. The Apaches then tried to crush the dugout where the men were sleeping. They rolled large boulders down from the mountain above. Two of the miners held a bed frame over their heads. This helped keep the roof from falling in.
Fighting Back
The Apaches came closer. Boggs and the remaining miner got their muskets ready. When the Apaches were close enough, the two men fired their rifles. They shot through small holes they had just dug. Two Apaches were killed right away. They fell to the ground. The Apaches were surprised. They quickly picked up their fallen warriors. Then they retreated up the mountain. Once at the top, the Apaches burned their dead. Boggs and the others watched them do this. After that, the Apaches left the area. The four miners went back to town unharmed. They told the worried residents what had happened.
