Polaris, Arizona facts for kids
Polaris is what people call a ghost town in the northern part of Yuma County, Arizona. It's located in the Kofa Mountains, a rugged area in the desert. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but then everyone left, and now it's mostly empty buildings or ruins.
The Story of Polaris
Polaris started as a small settlement near a mine called the North Star Mine. This was in the Arizona Territory back in 1909. That same year, valuable gold and silver were found in the mine, which brought people to the area.
Why the Name Polaris?
The town of Polaris was named after the North Star. This star is also known as Polaris, and it's famous for staying almost still in the night sky, helping travelers find their way.
A Short-Lived Boom
When the mine was active, Polaris quickly grew. By 1910, about 150 people lived there. To serve the growing community, a post office was opened on June 17, 1909. This was important because it allowed people to send and receive mail, connecting them to the outside world.
The End of the Mine
The North Star Mine was worked hard from 1907. However, the gold and silver didn't last forever. By 1911, the mine "played out," meaning there wasn't enough valuable ore left to make it worth digging anymore. When the mine closed, people started to leave Polaris because there were no jobs. The town slowly died, and the post office was closed on July 31, 1914. Today, Polaris remains a quiet reminder of Arizona's mining past.
