Most People Have No Idea This Abandoned Mining Town In Arizona Even Exists
By Katie Lawrence|Published July 19, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
There are plenty of long-forgotten ghost towns in Arizona, but few are as old and dusty as Klondyke. Not to be confused with the popular ice cream bar, this historic mining settlement is home to fewer than 50 people today – a far cry from its peak population of around 500. All that remains in Klondyke is a general store…and the lingering tendrils of tragedy that have seeped their way into the very essence of the town.
Tucked away between the Galiuro and Santa Teresa Mountains west of Safford, this circa-1900 mining camp is one of the least-known ghost towns in Arizona.
The town was founded by a group of miners who had recently returned to the States after participating in the Klondike Gold Rush.
Jeff Power, the patriarch of the family, suffered a great loss when his mother, Martha Jane, was killed in a horse and buggy accident in 1915. Two years later, his daughter, Ola died of an unknown cause.
Just weeks after Ola's death, Jeff and three law enforcement officers were killed when the officers attempted to arrest Jeff's two sons, John and Tom, for draft evasion and perjury.
John and Tom escaped and fled to Chihuahua, Mexico, where the U.S. Army captured them in 1918. Pictured above is the current state of the Power family cabin, which has been preserved and is open to tourists.
During the Great Depression, half of Klondyke's residents left town, and the post office was closed in 1955.
Grab a cold beer and some snacks and hang out for a while, reveling in the experience of visiting one of Arizona's most hidden ghost towns.
Have you ever passed through Klondyke? Are there any other ghost towns in Arizona that few people know exist anymore? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more reasons to visit Willcox.
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