Jerome Junction, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerome Junction, Arizona
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 Jerome Junction, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Jerome Junction, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yavapai |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Abandoned | 1920 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
Jerome Junction was once a busy little town in Yavapai County, Arizona. It started in 1894 and was a very important spot for trains. It helped connect the towns of Prescott and Jerome. Today, it is known as a ghost town, meaning it is mostly abandoned.
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What Was Jerome Junction?
Jerome Junction was a special place where trains would stop and transfer goods and people. It was like a busy meeting point for two different train lines. One line was the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway (SFP&P). The other was the United Verde & Pacific Railway.
A Busy Railroad Hub
For 25 years, Jerome Junction was a key transfer point. The United Verde & Pacific Railway was a "narrow-gauge" line. This means its tracks were closer together than regular train tracks. It was built carefully on the side of Woodchute Mountain. A man named William A. Clark built this line. He owned the United Verde Copper Company. In 1917, about 150 people lived in Jerome Junction.
Why Did It Become a Ghost Town?
In 1920, a new, wider train line was built. This new line went from Jerome to Clarkdale. It was on the east side of the mountain. Because of this new line, Jerome Junction was no longer needed. The trains stopped coming, and people moved away. By 1923, the nearby town of Chino Valley took over most of its activities. Jerome Junction became a ghost town.
How the Name Changed
The place we know as Jerome Junction had a few different names over the years:
- In 1895, it was called "Junction" and had a post office.
- On December 23, 1914, it officially became "Jerome Junction." This was when it was a railway depot and transfer station.
- On April 11, 1923, it changed again to "Copper Siding." This was just a railroad stop within Chino Valley.
What Remains Today?
If you visit the area today, you won't find a bustling town. All that is left are some old building foundations. You might also see pieces of old railroad equipment. These are quiet reminders of the busy train hub it once was. You can see its location on these maps: Wikimap and Google map.
