8 Historic Towns In Arizona That Will Transport You To The Past

When we were in grade school, a lot of us loved learning about life in different eras, which probably explains why some of us (not naming any names) read the entire American Girls Collection as their first foray into chapter books. The blend of reality, drama, and, in our eight-year-old brains, the different clothing styles were fascinating and incredibly different from our suburban upbringings. In fact, we still enjoy "witnessing" history through movies, novels, and an old collection of PBS and BBC shows that document life in past eras. Since we will probably never live to see a working time machine, the next-best experience is visiting historical places and towns that are well-preserved and may even feature re-enactments that attempt to bring past lives in Arizona state into the streets. These historic towns in Arizona are worth an add to anyone's bucket list.

1. Bisbee

Founded in 1880 as a metals mining community, Bisbee is a beautiful example of preservation done right. The walkable town has a number of historic buildings still standing, such as the Copper Queen Hotel (1902) and the Phelps Dodge General Office Building (1895), which now serves as a mining history museum.

2. Castle Dome

First settled as a mining camp in 1863 after silver and gold were discovered in the area, Castle Dome suffered two different instances of ghost town status: once in 1876 and again in 1884. The town, located north of Yuma, has become a tourist site and museum for mining history with preserved and reconstructed buildings reminiscent of what the town may have looked like in its heyday.

3. Goldfield

Now a ghost town, this place experienced a brief life as a mining town from about 1892 to 1898 after gold was discovered in the area. Once the gold was stripped from the site, miners moved away, and the local post office closed in 1898, leaving only some weathered buildings in their wake. Today, it serves as a ghost town tourist attraction.

4. Jerome

This town was founded in 1876 as a copper mining camp. Designated a historic landmark in 1967, you can walk down the streets for a taste of small town life and wonder about its past. A number of walking tours will provide you with in-depth knowledge of Jerome’s historic, and possibly haunted, mining past.

5. Oatman

Another former mining town from Arizona’s frontier past, this ghost town has seen new life as a tourist attraction and feels very much alive today. Many of the town’s original buildings remain, most notably the Oatman Hotel, which was one of the honeymoon locations for actors Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Today, it's famous for the wild burros that roam the town.

6. Old Oraibi

This village is located within the Hopi Reservation on Third Mesa, and is considered the oldest settlement still in use in the United States by anthropologists. The village was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a Historic Place two years later. Culturally, this village has focused on maintaining and protecting traditional Hopi ways of life, as opposed to its neighbor, Kyokotsmovi, which is more lenient towards modern culture. This, and the desire for privacy, is why you will not find many recent pictures of the town.

7. Pioneer Living History Museum, Phoenix

This may not be an actual town but it certainly mimics one well, and visiting the village atmosphere will give you an impression of the Old West. It features a number of historic and reconstructed buildings, like a schoolhouse and a Victorian home, plus plenty of actors playing character roles from the late 19th century.

Address: 3901 West Pioneer Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85086

8. Tombstone

This famous town sees quite a bit of tourist traffic because of its notorious contribution towards Arizona’s history. The town received its national historic status in 1961 for its incredible preservation as a frontier town. The main attraction here is Allen Street, which features a mix of still-standing 19th century buildings and reconstructions. When you visit, you will also encounter plenty of re-enactments to get you in the Old West mood.

Have you visited any of these historic towns in Arizona? What impressions did they leave you?

Looking for more Arizona history? Take a look at these historical landmarks across the state.