Yesterday we toured Tuzigoot Ruins in Clarkdale AZ and then spent the day in Jerome AZ. The Tuzigoot Ruins are a National Monument (Tuzigoot is Apache for “crooked water”) and is remnant of the Southern Sinagua village built between 1000 and 1400. The original pueblo was two stories tall in places with 87 ground floor rooms. There were few exterior doors; entry was by ladders through roof openings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuzigoot_National_Monument
We then drove up to Jerome State Park. The state park tells the story of the city of Jerome within the Douglas Mansion. The Douglas Mansion has been in Jerome since 1916 when James S. Douglas built it on the hill just above his Little Daisy Copper Mine. The house was made of adobe bricks made on site. Jerome came to being after three prospectors in 1876 staked claims to copper deposits. The town was named after Eugene Jerome who was the principal backer of the newly formed United Verde Cooper company. Due to the high cost to transport the copper from Jerome that sits high above the Verde Valley the company folded after 2 years. The company was purchased by William Clark and he built a narrow gauge train track to reduce the costs. In 1912 James Douglas bought the company and started the Little Daisy mine. Cooper continued to be mined until 1953.
Today, Jerome is noted as being a Ghost Town, an artist haven and just a fun place to visit. There are interesting stores, local artists and it is also noted for the Haunted Hamburger Restaurant! We had late lunch at the Haunted Hamburger and our server suggested the bloody Mary’s…it was not only a delicious Mary it was an appetizer! It had olives, bacon, celery and a hard boiled egg! We ordered the Haunted Burger and it did not disappoint! The burger: green chili, bacon, cheddar cheese, mushrooms, sautéed onions and guacamole! Needless to say we were stuffed. It was a fun day!
Population today in Jerome is 500.
Looks like a fine’ find in the middle of no where…interesting the ruins. Makes you wonder on the time it took to construct..
All very interesting and cool.
My sister and I got to tour the Tuzigoot ruins, very interesting. And we hit it lucky to visit Jerome when they were having an art walk one weekend. Loved that funky little town. But still don’t want and egg in my Bloody Mary, Ha! Glad you’re getting to explore so many areas. And, love your Big Horn Sheep Carol! Carry on!
Love this area….everything about it. Hiking, quirky places and beautiful!
Thanks! It takes me longer than Colleen, that’s for sure.
Fascinating and beautiful! Going to put this one on our list!. Were you guys like the only ones there? See no one in the photos…that’s a good thing.
There were maybe 5 people at the ruins and 6 at Jerome SP. We are being very careful to stay away from people! We just love this area…so much beauty! There are so many outdoor things to do!