Yarnell, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yarnell, Arizona
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Sign at entrance to Yarnell
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Location in Yavapai County and the state of Arizona
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 Yarnell, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yavapai |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.87 sq mi (22.98 km2) |
| • Land | 8.87 sq mi (22.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,780 ft (1,457 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 570 |
| • Density | 64.23/sq mi (24.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| ZIP code |
85362
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| Area code(s) | 928 |
| FIPS code | 04-84980 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0014039 |
Yarnell is a small community in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. It is called a census-designated place (CDP) because it is counted for the census. In 2010, about 649 people lived there. People in Yarnell work in ranching, mining, and jobs that help visitors and retired people. Peeples Valley, a town just three miles north, is very connected to Yarnell.
Contents
History of Yarnell
Gold was first found in Yarnell around 1865 by Charles Genung. He was a well-known pioneer in the area. The community is named after Harrison Yarnell. He was a prospector who discovered the Yarnell mine in 1873.
Old U.S. Route 89, now called State Route 89, goes through Yarnell. This road was paved in 1933. For many years, it was the main highway connecting Phoenix to Wickenburg, Prescott, and northern Arizona.
On June 30, 2013, a large wildfire called the Yarnell Hill Fire happened. This fire sadly destroyed half of the town. It also caused the deaths of 19 brave firefighters.
Geography and Location
Yarnell is located at 34°13′21″N 112°44′59″W / 34.22250°N 112.74972°W. This is its exact spot on a map.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Yarnell covers an area of about 8.8 square miles (22.98 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Fun Places to Visit in Yarnell
Yarnell Hill Scenic Drive
Yarnell Hill is a popular place for a scenic drive. Highway 89 goes down 1,300 feet (396 meters) over four miles. There is a special lookout point at the top. You can only reach it from the downhill road.
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park
The newest Arizona State Park is the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. It is just 3 miles south of Yarnell on State Highway 89. This park was opened in 2016. It remembers the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Firefighters. They lost their lives on June 30, 2013, fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire.
The hike in the park is about 3.5 miles long from the start to the Fatality Site. The full round trip is about 7 miles. It is a somewhat challenging hike. There are several uphill and downhill parts.
Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park
The Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park is in downtown Yarnell. It is across from the Yarnell Fire Department. Several metal signs with etched information tell about the fire. They also explain how it affected the people of Yarnell and Peeples Valley.
Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains
The Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains is a Catholic religious site. It has statues hidden among large rocks. A short path guides visitors through the Stations of the Cross.
Nearby Ghost Towns and Mining History
The ghost towns of Stanton, Octave, and Congress are close by. Harper's Flat is also nearby. It is the first place on the right (east side of the highway) at the top of Yarnell Hill. Harper's Flat has an old rest area built in 1925. It also has old mining buildings. The original road to Stanton is still visible on this property. It is private property, but the owners often let people drive through and take photos.
Rich Hill in Weaver was where the richest placer gold was found in Arizona. This discovery happened in 1863. It was found by a group led by the mountain man Pauline Weaver and prospector A. H. Peeples. These places are popular with people who like to look for gold and explore old ghost towns.
Other Activities
Other fun things to do in Yarnell include hiking, riding UTVs (utility task vehicles), looking for gold, shopping, and eating at local restaurants.
Yarnell also has a small community within it called Glen Ilah.
Who Lives in Yarnell?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 570 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 645 people living in Yarnell. There were 359 households and 188 families. The population density was about 73 people per square mile.
About 11% of the people were under 18 years old. About 33% were 65 years or older. The average age was 57 years.
Education in Yarnell
Most students in Yarnell attend the Yarnell Elementary School District 52. This district serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade. The district operates Model Creek School.
After 8th grade, students from Model Creek School usually go to Prescott High School. This high school is part of the Prescott Unified School District. Before November 2018, students could also choose to go to Wickenburg High School. However, this option was removed to help reduce taxes.
A small part of Yarnell is in the Congress Elementary School District. Students from this district go to Wickenburg High School for high school.
See also
In Spanish: Yarnell (Arizona) para niños
