Kinishba: Most People Don't Know About This Ancient Pueblo Ghost Town Hiding In Arizona

Ever wonder if there are enough days in a lifetime to see all there is to see in Arizona? You’re not alone! Some natives to the state may have heard about these incredible centuries-old ruins, but many haven’t, and so many just haven’t found the time to go see them in person yet. This site was discovered and then excavated in the 1930s, and then partially reconstructed. What we see today is a combination of the excavated and reconstructed ruins, and it’s fascinating.

The site is known as the Kinishba Ruins, which were built and occupied from the 12th century to the 14th century.

At one time, the site included a great house that had between 400 and 500 rooms. Other ancestral Pueblo Village ruins are located throughout the Fort Apache area (where these ruins are located), but none are/were as extensive as this complex.

At its peak, the village is believed to have been home to approximately 1,000 people — and possibly as many as 1,500.

For a mere $5 you can visit the ruins and walk in the very footsteps of an earlier civilization.

The stone facades were often covered with masonry, of which you can see while exploring the location.

No one really knows why everyone left this ancient Pueblo in this beautiful grass valley. It was abandoned in the late 14th or early 15th century.

The great house ruins at Kinishba are located approximately five miles from Fort Apache, and are a remarkable look into the past.

Have you visited these ancestral Pueblo ruins? This site is considered an archaeological treasure of both the Hopi and Zuni cultures.

To visit, you’ll need to check in at the visitor center at Fort Apache Historic Park. Your $5 park admission includes access to the ruins. Fort Apache Historic Park is located at 127 Scout St., Fort Apache, AZ 85926. Both the park and the ruins are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. Admission to the park (which includes access to the ruins) is $5 per adult, and $3 for seniors (64+) and students. Children under 7 are admitted free. For more information, visit the official website of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

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Most People Don't Know About This Ancient Pueblo Ghost Town Hiding In Arizona

Robin Jarvis

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