Ghost Towns, Mining Camps & Old Trails - Photography Display

HiHood · 07-06-2011, 07:17 PM

SWANSEA, AZ This place was opened up chasing a silver lead that broke into copper ore. It was originally named "Signal" (not to be confused with the other Signal, AZ) Prospecting started around the 1860's but the town didn't get founded til the early 1900's when the railway came. The ore (copper) was sent via RR to Bouse,AZ then floated down the Colorado River to the gulf of California, around the cape and on to Swansea, South Wales, UK. As the smelter went in "Signal" was renamed Swansea by it's founder, a native to Swansea, So. Wales, UK.

After WWI, the price of copper dropped. In June 1924, the post office closed and the mines struggled along until they closed for the last time in 1937. By this time Swansea was pretty much a ghost town anyways.

BLM now cares for the property. An effort has been made to preserve the site. Recently picnic tables have been installed. The worker's cabins have been partially preserved.

HiHood · 07-06-2011, 07:24 PM

These bullet holes are on the recently preserved wall of a worker's cabin. This kind of vandelism is good argument for the gun control people and those who want sites like this closed for all of us.

HiHood · 07-06-2011, 07:30 PM

More pics . . . all & all, the last pic says it all.

HiHood · 07-13-2011, 04:30 PM

SIGNAL, AZ:Signal got a US Post Office in 1877 and lost it in 1932. It was a mining town that not only had it's own mine but was a smelter for nearby McCracken Mine. Little is left of the town site itself as the McCracken and Signal both boomed and died several times but ended in 32. I was able to find many relics and tail tail signs of a forgotten town that has faded back into the desert. The smelter plant's foundation remains clear and towers above the townsite on a nearby hill.

HiHood · 07-13-2011, 04:36 PM

More of Signal . . . .

HiHood · 07-13-2011, 04:48 PM

McCracken Mine McCracken was discovered in the 1880's and continued until the 1930's.

havasu · 07-13-2011, 04:57 PM

Looked like alot of fun while doing some exploring!

RiponredTJ · 07-13-2011, 05:25 PM

Man, that is nice.
I have a degree in Geology and would love to explore old mining camps like that, let alone wheeling in the desert!
I have an Estwing Rock Pick in my Jeep at all times, but it's mostly used on highway cuts and such these days.
I do like rocks and minerals

HiHood · 07-13-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiponredTJ

Man, that is nice.
I have a degree in Geology and would love to explore old mining camps like that, let alone wheeling in the desert!
I have an Estwing Rock Pick in my Jeep at all times, but it's mostly used on highway cuts and such these days.
I do like rocks and minerals

Bring that TJ on down here, we'll get some custom Arizona pinstriping on it for certain.

HiHood · 07-17-2011, 07:13 PM

More of McCracken