Bradshaw City, Arizona facts for kids

Bradshaw City is a ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. It was once a busy mining camp where people searched for gold. The town was founded in 1863 and was named after its founder, William D. Bradshaw.

Bradshaw City: A Ghost Town Story

Bradshaw City started as a small mining camp. It grew very quickly because of a gold discovery. Today, it is a ghost town, meaning it's an abandoned settlement. Most of its buildings are gone, and no one lives there anymore.

How Did Bradshaw City Begin?

In 1863, some people looking for gold found it on the northwest side of Mount Wasson. This discovery led to the founding of Bradshaw City. William D. Bradshaw was the person who started this new mining camp.

A Town That Grew Fast

At first, Bradshaw City was just a few tents. But as more gold was found, more people arrived. Soon, hundreds of buildings were put up. These included places like dance halls, restaurants, and hotels. The town's population grew to about 5,000 people! It was a very busy place. The town helped support a big mine called the Tiger Mine.

Why Did Bradshaw City Disappear?

By the end of 1871, the amount of gold being found started to decrease. Miners and prospectors began to leave Bradshaw City. They moved to other areas to find new work. By the 1880s, the Tiger Mine didn't have much gold left. Because of this, Bradshaw City slowly faded away.

What's Left Today?

Today, Bradshaw City is mostly gone. You can still see some old building foundations. There's also a sign from the forest service that marks where the town once stood. A small part of the old city cemetery also remains. It's a quiet reminder of a once-busy gold mining town.