Signal, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Signal, Arizona
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 Signal, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Signal, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Mohave |
| Established | circa 1876 |
| Abandoned | circa 1932 |
| Elevation | 1,340 ft (409 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| Post Office Opened | October 15, 1877 |
| Post Office Closed | May 14, 1932 |
Signal is a ghost town located in southern Mohave County, Arizona. It sits right next to the Big Sandy River. A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty.
Signal was an important mining town from the 1870s to the 1930s. At its busiest, about 800 people lived there. Today, you can still see parts of the old town. You can also find nearby Virginia City, another historic site.
Contents
History of Signal: A Mining Town's Story
Signal became a town because of the silver and gold found nearby. In 1874, the McCracken mines opened. Signal then grew quickly between 1876 and 1877.
Life in Signal: What Was It Like?
The town had mills that processed ore from local mines. These mills also worked for the McCracken mines nearby. Getting supplies to Signal was a big challenge. The town was very isolated. Shop owners had to order their goods six months in advance!
At its peak, Signal was a lively place. It had five stores where people could buy things. There were also three restaurants for meals. The town even had its own brewery. By 1932, most people had left Signal. However, a few ranches in the area are still active today.
Exploring Signal: What Remains Today?
Not much is left of the original mines and mills. You can find scattered pieces of old mining equipment. There are also adobe ruins of the town buildings. Adobe is a type of brick made from earth and straw.
Why Signal's Ruins Are Special
The ruins are well-preserved because the town is in a remote area. This means not many people have disturbed them over the years. An old town cemetery is also still there and is complete. Someone even works part-time to look after the town.
Signal's Land: Who Owns It?
The historic parts of Signal are on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is a U.S. government agency. The area around Signal is not completely empty. There are still some farms and houses nearby. The area of Signal is still listed as having people living in it.
Geography: Where is Signal Located?
Signal is about 16 miles off U.S. Route 93. This is a major highway. It is about 60 miles south of Kingman.
Natural Features Around Signal
The Big Sandy River flows to the east of the town site. The river usually has a small amount of water all year. But sometimes, after heavy rain, it can become too deep to cross. Signal is also at the northern end of a place called Signal Wash.
Nearby Wilderness Areas
The Arrastra Mountain Wilderness is about three miles south of Signal. A wilderness area is a protected natural space. The Artillery Mountains run along the western side of the Big Sandy River. They stretch all the way to Alamo Lake, which is 12 miles to the south.
