Weaver, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weaver
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The town of Weaver in 1888. Rich Hill is in the background.
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 Weaver
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yavapai |
| Founded | circa 1863 |
| Abandoned | circa 1898 |
| Founded by | Pauline Weaver |
| Named for | Pauline Weaver |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
Weaver, also known as Weaverville, is a former gold mining town in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. Today, it is a deserted ghost town. All that remains are some old mining machines, a partly restored cemetery, and the ruins of a stone house.
Contents
The Story of Weaver: A Gold Rush Town
The town of Weaverville began shortly after gold was found nearby. This happened in May 1863, on a place called Rich Hill. The town was named after a mountain man named Pauline Weaver. He helped guide the group of prospectors who found the gold.
How Gold Was Discovered in Weaver
The gold was first discovered by accident. A member of the prospecting group was chasing a lost donkey. While looking for the donkey, they stumbled upon the gold. At first, miners found "placer gold." This means gold pieces found in riverbeds or loose dirt.
From Placer to Lode Mining
After the easy-to-find placer gold ran out, miners started looking for "lode deposits." These are veins of gold deep underground. This type of mining was harder and needed more equipment.
Challenges for Weaverville
Weaverville, which was soon shortened to Weaver, faced some problems. A group of outlaws caused trouble in the area. Because of this, travelers and businesses often avoided Weaver. They preferred to go to nearby towns like Stanton and Octave instead.
The Post Office and Decline
A post office opened in Weaver on May 26, 1899. However, it did not stay open for long. Less than a year later, on April 19, 1900, it moved to the town of Octave. This move showed that Weaver was becoming less important. The town slowly faded away, becoming the ghost town we see today.
Where is Weaver Located?
Weaver is found along a dirt road on the east side of Weaver Creek. It sits at the southeast base of Rich Hill. Its exact location is 34°09′18″N 112°42′25″W / 34.15500°N 112.70694°W. The town is at an altitude of 3,430 feet above sea level.
