Jerome State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jerome State Historic Park |
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The Douglas Mansion
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 Jerome State Historic Park
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Verde Valley region Black Hills – (north section) (Mingus Mountain), Arizona, United States |
| Elevation | 4,924 ft (1,501 m) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Visitors | 47,295 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
Jerome State Historic Park is a special state park in Arizona, USA. It is home to the amazing Douglas Mansion. This big house was built in 1916 by a rich family who owned mines in Jerome, Arizona. Jerome is a historic mining town located in the Black Hills of Yavapai County. Today, the old Douglas Mansion is a fascinating museum.
Jerome State Historic Park closed for a while in 2009 to fix up the old mansion. It reopened on October 14, 2010. The repairs were paid for by a state grant and gifts from the Douglas family. Thanks to help from Yavapai County, the town of Jerome, and the Jerome Historical Society, the park is now open seven days a week for everyone to enjoy.
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Discover Jerome State Historic Park
This park lets you explore the history of a famous mining town. You can learn about the people who lived and worked there long ago. It's a great place to see how things were in the past.
The Amazing Douglas Mansion
The Douglas Mansion has been a famous building in Jerome since 1916. Jimmy Douglas built it on a hill right above his Little Daisy Mine. He designed the house to be a fancy hotel for important mining people and his own family.
The mansion had many cool features for its time. It included a special room for wine, a billiard room for games, and a marble shower. It even had steam heat and a central vacuum system, which was very modern back then! Jimmy Douglas was most proud that the house was made from adobe bricks. These bricks were created right there on the building site. The Douglas Mansion is still the largest adobe building in all of Arizona.
Jimmy Douglas also built the Little Daisy Hotel near the mine. This building was a dormitory where the miners could live. The strong concrete structure is still standing today. It was recently updated and is now a private home.
Inside the Mansion: A Museum of History
The old Douglas Mansion is now a museum. It tells the story of the Jerome area and the Douglas family. Inside, you can see old photographs, tools from the mines, and different kinds of minerals. There's also a video that shares more history. A cool 3-D model shows the town and its underground mines. One room, the Douglas library, looks just like it did when the family lived there. Outside, you can find more mining tools and a picnic area. From here, you get an amazing wide view of the Verde Valley and River, plus the beautiful red rocks of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
A Look Back: The Park's History
In 1962, Jimmy Douglas's sons gave the Douglas Mansion to the State of Arizona. Jerome State Historic Park first opened its doors in 1965. Since then, the park has added many new exhibits. It has also collected more historic items and old documents. The park's main goal is to share the story of the Douglas family and the history of Jerome during its mining days.
What You Can See and Do
- The historic mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Old mining equipment from long ago.
- Displays of minerals, ore, geology, and models of mines.
- History exhibits with many old photographs.
- Video presentations that tell more stories.
- A picnic area with tables, restrooms, and views of the red rocks.
- A parking area for visitors.
See also
