10 Historic Small Towns in Arizona You Must Visit

If you’ve got a passion for history, then you’re in for a treat. Packed with charming small towns that ooze character and stories yearning to be discovered, Arizona will feel like paradise to you. In this article, we will help you find places where the spirit of the Grand Canyon comes alive, and you will have the chance to step into legendary streets where the Wild West feels just a heartbeat away. You will find below ten historic small towns in Arizona that you absolutely must visit! Let’s make history come alive!

This charming, historic, small town serves as a gateway to the Grand Canyon. It was founded in 1881 and played a significant role in the expansion of the Santa Fe Railway. This is thanks to Williams becoming a bustling railroad town. Its significance particularly grew when it became a key stop along the famous and iconic Route 66. This fact earned it the nickname “The Gateway to the Grand Canyon.”

History buffs, if you’re visiting Arizona, then you need to add Williams to your bucket list for several reasons. For instance, you’ll enjoy exploring the Grand Canyon Railway Depot. The latter still offers vintage train rides to the canyon. Taking one of these will allow you to relive the golden age of rail travel.

As for the historic downtown of Williams, which is lined with impressive 19th-century buildings, it is preserved to reflect its heyday, filled with old-fashioned diners, saloons, and neon-lit motels.

It’s also worth visiting the Route 66 Museum where you can learn about Williams’ role in the Mother Road’s history. Also, you can add Bill Williams Mountain to the list of places to visit in town. This is where you’ll see stunning views and hiking trails. The mountain, as well as the town, were both named in honor of Bill Williams, a renowned 19th-century frontiersman, fur trapper, and mountain man.

2. Tombstone

If you’re looking for a really legendary town in the American Wild West, then Tombstone is the place to be. Founded in 1879, it’s famous for its silver, which brought fortune-seekers to its dusty streets. This historic Arizona town is known as “The Town Too Tough to Die” thanks to its role in the notorious Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881. This legendary shootout involved lawmen Wyatt Earp, his brothers, Doc Holliday, and members of the Clanton-McLaury gang. It was a 30-second standoff that left a permanent mark on Western lore.

As a history lover visiting Tombstone, make sure to head to the O.K. Corral itself. This is where reenactments bring the events to life. Another thing to do in this charming historic town is stroll down Allen Street. This one is lined with original 19th-century buildings, boardwalks, and saloons.
Once a lively saloon and gambling hall, the Bird Cage Theatre remains preserved, complete with bullet holes from its wilder days. Another must-see in Tombstone is the Boothill Graveyard. This is where outlaws and lawmen alike are buried.

This is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Arizona but in the whole of North America. It dates back to around 1100 AD. It’s located in the Hopi Reservation on Third Mesa and holds immense cultural and historical significance as the cultural and spiritual heart of the Hopi people. The town is known for formerly being a thriving village and a central hub for Hopi life, known for its deep traditions. It was also famous for its intricate arts as well as agricultural practices that sustained the community for centuries.

History buffs visiting Oraibi: this town will offer you a glimpse into the ancient heritage of the Southwest. While not a conventional tourist site, you can explore some interesting sites in town, such as the nearby Hopi Cultural Center, where you can learn about Hopi history, traditional crafts, and the significance of Oraibi. Centuries-old ways of life can be explored through the surrounding mesas and pueblos, where you can witness stunning views of the region.

4. Jerome

Perched on Cleopatra Hill, this historic mining town in Arizona is known for its colorful past and dramatic setting. Jerome was founded in 1876 and quickly became one of the richest copper mining towns in the U.S. Because of that, it attracted investors, fortune-seekers, and miners. At its peak, the town had a population of 15,000.

Due to Jerome’s bustling red-light district as well as its wild saloons, it was called the “Wickedest Town in the West.” The mines in the town closed in the 1950s, leading Jerome to nearly become a ghost town. However, it’s considered today a living museum with a vibrant community.

A history lover’s best spot in this old Arizona town is the Jerome State Historic Park, which features the Douglas Mansion. The latter is filled with mining artifacts as well as panoramic views of the Verde Valley.

As for the Gold King Mine Museum, it’s also a must-see, and it offers a look into Jerome’s industrial past. You can also explore the Jerome Sliding Jail, which, due to unstable land, moved 200 feet downhill. This site is a testament to the unique ecology of the town.

This former mining boomtown is nestled in the Mule Mountains and offers a rich blend of architectural beauty, history, and culture. After being established in 1880, Bisbee quickly became one of the world’s top producers of copper, gold, and silver. All of this earned the town the title “Queen of the Copper Camps.”

Bisbee kept flourishing through the early 20th century when it was attracting entrepreneurs and miners. However, when the mines closed in the 1970s, the town reinvented itself as a historical and artistic haven.

Today, the well-preserved Victorian and early 20th-century architecture of Bisbee makes it a living museum. History lovers visiting the town must head to the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate. The latter showcases the mining heritage of this charming historic Arizona town.

Touring the Queen Mine is also a must. This is where guides who are former miners themselves will take guests deep into the underground tunnels. If you want to explore the wilder side of the town, then you should visit Brewery Gulch. This was once a lively district filled with saloons. Today, it’s home to unique shops and cafes.

6. Ruby

This remote ghost town in Arizona provides a fascinating glimpse into the rough-and-tumble life of early mining communities in the Southwest. Ruby was founded in the late 19th century, and it was a thriving mining camp famous for its rich gold, silver, and zinc deposits. In the 1930s, at its peak, the town housed around 1,200 residents. However, the turbulent past marked by lawlessness and violence is what is best remembered of Ruby. For example, the town was the site of the infamous Ruby Murders of 1920-1922.

Nowadays, Ruby is considered one of Arizona’s best-preserved ghost towns. It offers visitors the special experience of stepping back in time. The old schoolhouse, the jail, and the mercantile store remain intact to this day. You can see these original buildings and enjoy the surrounding scenic landscapes when visiting the beautiful town.

Exploring the abandoned structures of Ruby will help you learn about the area’s mining legacy and the lives of the people who called Ruby home.

If you’re looking for a town that offers you a glimpse into the Old West, then Chloride is the place to be. This historic mining town was founded in 1863 during the silver rush and quickly became a bustling hub for miners looking for fortune in nearby mountains. Chloride was home to several saloons, businesses, and hotels that catered to miners and their families. It had a population of over 3,000 residents at its peak.

You can explore today the remnants of this once-thriving community by visiting the Chloride Historical Society which operates as a museum. This is where you can see photographs, artifacts, and stories from the mining days of Chloride. A key landmark site you also need to visit in this Arizona town is the old Chloride Cemetery. This is where many early settlers are buried. As for the well-preserved Chloride Silver Mine, it offers guided tours that provide you with insight into the mining processes of the 19th century.

8. Tubac

In 1752, this history-rich town was founded as a Spanish presidio. Tubac was originally established with the purpose of protecting the region from hostile forces. It later evolved into a bustling center for trade and culture. The town is today one of Arizona’s oldest continuously inhabited communities.

History enthusiasts have plenty to explore in Tubac. One of the most significant sites to see is the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, featuring the ruins of the original Presidio as well as a museum detailing the colonial history of the area. As for the Tubac Arts and Crafts Festival, it celebrates the vibrant artistic community of the town and showcases works inspired by its rich cultural heritage.

When visiting Tubac, you can also wander the charming streets lined with adobe buildings, many of which were converted into galleries, shops, and restaurants. These buildings reflect the artistic spirit of the town. Another must-see is the historic San Ignacio de Tubac Mission, which dates back to the late 18th century. You will particularly enjoy visiting this site if you’re interested in early mission history.

This fascinating Arizona ghost town once thrived during the early 20th-century gold rush. Goldfield was initially a bustling mining camp when it was founded in 1893. It used to attract prospectors and fortune-seekers to its gold-laden hills. While the town boasted saloons, a schoolhouse, and hotels for its over 1,000 residents at its peak, Goldfield fell into decline as gold deposits dwindled. This is why it eventually became a ghost town by the late 1920s.

Historic buildings and well-preserved ruins are what you’ll see when visiting Goldfield. This includes the Goldfield Ghost Town Museum, which provides you with insights into the life and struggles of the early inhabitants of Goldfield. You can also take guided tours at the Goldfield Mine, a former working mine. This will help you learn about mining techniques. On top of that, you can see during these tours artifacts from the bustling past of Goldfield. You can explore all of these historic sites in this charming Arizona town while enjoying the breathtaking backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, which adds to the beauty of historic Goldfield.

10. Ajo

This former bustling copper mining town is nestled in the Sonoran Desert and is home to plenty of historical sites that tell the story of its rich past. The Ajo Mining Company Headquarters, for example, is a striking structure with its distinctive Spanish Revival architecture. Exploring this iconic site in Ajo will provide you with insight into the town’s mining heritage. You can also find nearby the historic Ajo Plaza, which features charming adobe buildings, a testament to early 20th-century community life.

The nearby Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument should also be on your bucket list when visiting Arizona’s Ajo. This historic landmark showcases stunning landscapes as well as remnants of ancient Native American cultures. If you want to learn more about the area’s cultural tapestry, then a good idea would be to visit the old Ajo cemetery. This is where you can find the final resting places of early pioneers and miners. This site tells the stories of resilience and community spirit.