Most People Don’t Know These 10 Super Tiny Towns In Arizona Exist
If there’s anything Arizona is known for outside of delicious food and gorgeous landscapes, I would argue that an abundance of small towns is certainly at the top of that list. In fact, I have written articles in the past about a few of the small towns you will find here in Arizona and they all really are spectacular because they each have something a little different for everyone.
However, we have so many small towns and census-designated areas that it’s easy for some of them to get lost in the mix. I want to make sure every part of Arizona gets a little love and recognition, so that’s why today’s article is dedicated to some of the smallest towns you will find in our state. As a note, I chose towns that not only had small populations (less than 300) but also looked for ones that had some interesting piece of history or trivia attached to its location. So, come on, check out some of these lovely places!
With a population of just under 300, this little town just barely makes our list. The town, if you've heard of it, is most famous for its now-closed Long Horn Grill, pictured above. However, a lot people don't know that it also was the filming location for the above scene in the 1955 film Oklahoma!
This former silver mining town once was booming but slowly saw its population dwindle to almost a ghost town in the early 20th century when mines began closing. Despite that, the town continues to survive and makes an interesting stop when en route to or from Las Vegas due to the quirky art installations you can find around town. Check it out!
One of the smallest towns on our list, this once was a prosperous farming community with a large Mexican and Spanish community that also happened to be in the running for the state capitol location. Also known as “Old Concho,” this town makes a nice, quiet getaway since it happens to be located in the White Mountains and a reasonable distance to attractions in slightly larger towns.
Sitting between Benson and Willcox, this small town is located at the base of the similarly named Dragoon Mountains. The Amerind Museum, a small but renowned museum dedicated to American Indian history, sits within the town's boundaries as does the popular tourist trap, The Thing.
Hackberry has a history of its population coming and going, with its first major population decline in the 1920s following the closure of its silver mine. However, the town managed to stay afloat when Route 66 opened and it saw a new economic opportunity until I-40 opened 16 miles away from the town. Today, the town still sees some tourism through the opening of the Hackberry General Store, an eclectic shop dedicated to Route 66.
Located along the Colorado River on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, is perhaps best known as a former Japanese-American internment camp. During its operation between 1942 and 1945, the Poston War Relocation Center was the largest of these camps and held a population of approximately 17,000 when two federal agencies took control of the area to house the population. Today, some of the structures still stand in various states of disrepair and a memorial sits in the area as well.
Sitting in the Catalina Mountains, this aptly named community is definitely where you will want to be once those summer temperatures start rising. It happens to be a short distance from the Mount Lemmon Ski Valley and makes a nice spot for a weekend getaway.
Contrary to what one Navajo politician claimed in a radio interview, people do actually live in the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai Tribe has a small town in the depths of the Grand Canyon that is only accessible by hiking, mules, and helicopter, making it an incredibly unique place to live and visit.
OK, this town is essentially a ghost town these days but there are still some lingering residents who stayed even after Route 66 closed. These days you will find mostly abandoned buildings, but it is also home to the Keepers of the Wild Nature Park, a nonprofit sanctuary for animals local and exotic.
If you happen to drive frequently between Phoenix and Las Vegas, it's safe to say you've probably stopped in this small town. For those who haven't, you will at least want to stop by to see the rocket with Snoopy, his friend Woodstock and a couple of pals.
Are there any other super tiny towns here in Arizona that you think should have made this list? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Monica is a Diné freelance writer and photographer. Born in New Mexico and raised in Arizona, she is a Southwestern girl through and through. You can reach her at [email protected]
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