Monday, August 16, 2010

Jerome

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Sunday morning we drove up to "America's Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town in America".

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Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. It was once known as the wickedest town in the west.

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 100_3522 Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community. Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in 1899.

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 100_3527 A look down into their whimsical yard.

100_3534 Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month.

100_3540Truly a vertical city.  The yards are tiered with twisting, winding roads up the mountain, cement walls securing the 30 degree incline of the mountainside.

100_3538 This walk had my thighs singing in the key of EEEEEE.

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 But well worth the climb to have lunch here

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 with this view.

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This view was pretty nice too.

100_3547 Spotted this little fixer-upper

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 right next to this fixed-up home.

100_3537Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450.

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It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.  I could just imagine a few of my artistic friends opening a shop here.

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 Not mentioning any names.

100_3558 It was a DeLovely Sunday. Can’t top eating Haunted Hamburgers and having the opportunity to work ‘em off.

Next weekend

we’re tearing up the kitchen.

 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This post is aboslutely GREAT. In Europe we learned "how the west was won ", and to see the remains of such a little town....It is truely a monument.About miners, bandits and whorehouses ? ....and poverty no doubt !
Was wicked Alice along on the trip ??!!

yoborobo said...

Wow - I would love it there. And not only would my thighs be screaming EEEEE, I would probably collapse from lack of oxygen. ;) What a cool spot. You do have quite the life, Miss Deb! xox!!

Kaerie Faerie said...

Wow the pictures are amazing, must be fun to tour around on the weekend, thanks for the mini Vaca. I don't leave the house much, chained to a phone all weekend, yes, the fun of running a small business. But love all the wonderful pics, and the haunted hamburger place, too funny
Karey

audrey said...

My goodness, Deb, but you do have exciting walks and exciting weekends! I think I would panic if I came face to face with a cayote in the middle of the street!
Jerome looks like a really fun place to visit and it does look really artsy!! I love those kinds of places. And the views!!! STUNNING!! You take great pictures, Deb. They really give us a good look at where you've been.
Tearing up the kitchen does not sound like much fun!
We have been having thundershowers - over the weekend and today. LOVE IT!!!
♥ audrey

Just A Girl said...

That house that house!!!! I've always DREAMED of owning that house!!! Wouldn't it make a lovely home with the most spectacular view? Oh Darling Deb, I am so envious right this very moment knowing that in one day you can visit one of the most enchanting towns of the old West. Remind me to tell you some time about my child hood dream ;-O.
Much love to you Darling Debaloo!!!

Unknown said...

Oh-oh-oh.....I'd love it there!
I think I would sooo like to"relocate" that House of Joy sign...It would look so perfect on TheGreatWall.
And BrawnyMan is looking pretty good,too.

Anonymous said...

That was gorgeous Deb, Thank you for the tour and taking us along with you!! What a cute little town, I love the stairs and tiered gardens, really atmospheric. And YES the views (especially the blue eyed one LOL) were very handsome, I mean de-lovely!
xxm

Unknown said...

and you're tearing up the kitchen?
I absolutely cannot wait for those pics!
One thing I must do before I die,is throw a hand grenade into my kitchen....

Unknown said...

oh , how enchanting . such character.

I was in Flagstaff last year to watch my daughter play soccer against University of Arizona.

I loved it there.

Jan said...

Wow that looks like a great and interesting place to visit. this is likely as close as I will get so thanks for the tour.

Ces Adorio said...

OOOOOOHHHH! So Scary. I have fear of heights and just looking at the roads and the rails my forearms are tingling and I am holding on to the desk! Dearest Deborah, I have something for you on my blog.

Unknown said...

oh wow Deborah!!! this is fascinating!!! the photos are stunning....the views and vistas!!! wow!!!!

Hugssssssssssssssss
Diana

Manon said...

I haven't been but I keep saying I will go. Your post has convinced me to do it next time I'm in AZ!! Btw... did you buy the fixer uper? lol

Marie S said...

I love Jerome, I could live there.
Just sayin' your hubby as the best eyes.

Marie S said...

has

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Jerome is one of my fave places on the map. My beau and i fell madly in love on our first date, a road trip. It started in Prescott and kept going.... Jerome, sedona, flagstaff, we went everywhere... and extended our weekend trip by 3 days.....

I LOVe it. I'll meet you there one day, k? Love, V