Nortons Landing, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nortons Landing, Arizona
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Former settlement
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 Nortons Landing, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Nortons Landing, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | La Paz |
| Elevation | 213 ft (5 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 928 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24540 |
Norton's Landing was once a busy place along the Colorado River in Arizona. It was a special spot where steamboats could stop. Back then, it was part of Yuma County, but today you'll find it in La Paz County, Arizona. This landing was about 52 miles (84 km) north of Yuma, Arizona. It was built on a rocky point right by the river, where paths from nearby mines met the water.
Contents
The Story of Norton's Landing
Norton's Landing was created to support the Red Cloud Mine and other mines nearby. These mines were part of the Silver Mining District in the Trigo Mountains. The area became active in 1879. This was when a group of people, including George Sills and George W. Norton, reopened many silver mines. These mines had been left empty after Jacob Snively died in 1871.
Who Was George W. Norton?
The landing and small town were named after George W. Norton. He owned the Red Cloud Mine. He also had a smelter at the landing. A smelter is a place where metal is taken out of rock using heat. George W. Norton was also an engineer. He helped build the very first railroad bridge across the Colorado River in Yuma in 1877.
Life at the Landing
Norton's Landing had a general store. It also had a post office, which was called Norton's. The first post office was open from June 4, 1883, to August 24, 1888. After that, mail was sent to Yuma. The post office reopened on September 3, 1891. But it closed again on March 13, 1894.
Why the Town Disappeared
After the post office closed for the second time, the town slowly died out. Norton's Landing continued until April 1897. A newspaper called the Arizona Sentinel reported on April 17, 1897, that the town was completely empty. This happened because the price of silver dropped very low. The mines had to close down. Everyone who lived there moved to a different mining town called Picacho.
What's Left Today?
Today, Norton's Landing is a ghost town in La Paz County, Arizona. You can still find a few old foundations. There are also some pieces of mining equipment. You might also see slag, which is waste material from the old smelter.
