Growler Mine Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Growler Mine Area
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument |
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| Nearest city | Ajo, Arizona |
| Area | 500 acres (200 hectares) |
| Built | late 1880s |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000350 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1978 |
The Growler Mine Area is a historic mine located in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. It's a place where people once dug for valuable metals like copper, gold, and silver. Today, it's known for its interesting history as a mining town and a popular spot for visitors.
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Discovering the Growler Mine's Past
The Growler mine area was once a busy place. It had buildings like a boarding house for workers. There were also large machines used for mining, such as boilers and steam hoists.
A man named Frederick Wall first started mining here. He named the mine after his friend, John Growler.
When the Mine Was Most Active
The Growler mine was most productive around 1916. This means it dug up the most valuable metals during that time. However, mining stopped completely in 1917.
People tried to open the mine again later. But it was too difficult. Water kept filling the mine shafts. Also, it cost too much money to dig. The price of the metals they found was too low to make a profit.
What the Mine Produced
Even though it didn't last long, the Growler mine produced some valuable metals. Miners found about 12,000 pounds of copper. They also found 2 ounces of gold and 200 ounces of silver. All these metals were worth about $2,000 at the time.
Life in the Growler Ghost Town
The Growler mine area also had a small town. It included a store and an office building. By the 1960s, these buildings were in ruins.
Around 1928, Charles Greer and his step-father Bert Long bought the mine and the ghost town. They were from Ajo, Arizona. The old town quickly became a popular place for people to visit and explore.
Strange Sightings: Camels in the Desert
In 1934, visitors reported something very unusual. They saw camels near the old Growler ghost town! This strange sighting was even mentioned in a magazine called Arizona Highways in 1961.
Changes to the Old Town Site
In May 1962, officials from Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument made a big change. They used bulldozers to knock down many of the old Growler buildings. They did this because the buildings were considered "dangerous and unsightly."
The old Growler town site was later mentioned in a 1969 newspaper article. This article from Phoenix Republic talked about scenic drives in the O'Neil Hills area.
Growler Mine Area: A Historic Landmark
The Growler Mine Area is located near Lukeville, Arizona. Because of its important history, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This listing helps protect the site as a valuable part of American history.
