Jerome Arizona: The Wickedest Town in the West
1909 Photo of Jerome AZIn its heyday, with its many brothels, saloons and opium dens, Jerome, Arizona was known as the “wickedest town in the West.” Located between Flagstaff and Prescott and about 20 miles from Sedona, Jerome was once a thriving copper-mining town that also produced silver, gold and zinc. Although today's Jerome is now an artistic community, it is still one of Arizona's best-known examples of a living Western ghost town, and many travelers visit in search of traces of its wild mining-era past.
Jerome’s Notorious Past
Jerome 1927Known as the “largest ghost town in America,” Jerome is situated on the side of Cleopatra Hill and was founded in 1876. Around 1900, the town's mines reportedly produced as much as three million pounds of copper per month. For a community of roughly three thousand residents, mining created enormous economic activity. As the town grew, so did its more notorious elements, including brothels and saloons. Jerome also suffered repeated fires during its early years, which became part of the folklore surrounding the town's wild reputation.
Although Jerome suffered greatly during the Great Depression and its mines eventually closed, the community escaped the fate of many Western mining towns. Rather than disappearing completely, Jerome survived and later evolved into a historic Arizona attraction and thriving community that continues to draw visitors throughout the year.
Today’s Jerome
Jerome 1937Jerome retains many historic structures and much of the character of its Old West mining days, while modern Jerome has become a thriving artist community and popular Arizona destination. The town's steep hillside setting contributed to the loss of some historic buildings over the years, but many surviving structures and districts still reflect its mining-era past. History enthusiasts and ghost-town visitors can explore streets and buildings that preserve reminders of the community Jerome once was.
Visitors interested in Jerome's mining heritage can also explore the nearby Gold King Mine area and other historic sites associated with the region's mining past. Within Jerome itself, notable landmarks include the Douglas Mansion, Little Daisy Hotel, Jerome Grand Hotel, United Verde Apartments, Powder Box Church, United Verde Railroad Depot and remnants of the town's mining districts. Together, these sites help illustrate how deeply mining shaped Jerome's growth, architecture and character.
Jerome's appeal comes from the unusual combination of its mining history, surviving architecture, hillside setting and modern artistic community. The result is a town where Arizona's Old West past remains visible alongside the galleries, shops and residents that give Jerome its present-day identity.
Jerome's Copper-Mining Legacy
Copper mining drove Jerome's early growth and shaped nearly every aspect of the community. Mines brought workers, businesses, rail connections and wealth, while also contributing to the saloons, brothels and rough reputation that inspired Jerome's famous “wickedest town” nickname. Historic buildings and mining-related sites still provide visible reminders of the period when the community was one of Arizona's important mining towns.
Distance Guide From Jerome Arizona
Camp Verde: 20 miles from Jerome.
Clarkdale: 6 miles from Jerome.
Cottonwood: 10 miles from Jerome.
Flagstaff: 60 miles from Jerome.
Phoenix: 90 miles from Jerome
Prescott: 30 miles from Jerome.
Sedona: 20 miles from Jerome.
Jerome Arizona History FAQ
Why was Jerome called the Wickedest Town in the West?
During its mining boom, Jerome became known for its saloons, brothels and other establishments associated with rough Western mining towns. That reputation helped inspire the nickname “the wickedest town in the West.”
What was mined in Jerome Arizona?
Jerome was primarily known as a copper-mining town, although the area's mines also produced silver, gold and zinc.
When was Jerome Arizona founded?
The article traces Jerome's founding to 1876, when mining activity began transforming the community on Cleopatra Hill.
Why did Jerome become a ghost town?
Jerome declined after economic hardship during the Great Depression and the eventual closure of its mines. Population and business activity fell dramatically, giving the community its ghost-town reputation.
Is Jerome Arizona still a ghost town?
Jerome is no longer an abandoned town. It is an active community known for historic buildings, tourism, galleries, artists and landmarks connected with its mining past.
Where is Jerome Arizona?
Jerome is in north-central Arizona between Prescott and Flagstaff and near Sedona, Cottonwood and Clarkdale.
What historic places can be seen in Jerome?
Historic places mentioned in the article include the Douglas Mansion, Little Daisy Hotel, Jerome Grand Hotel, United Verde Apartments, Powder Box Church, United Verde Railroad Depot and areas associated with the town's old mining districts.
What is Jerome known for today?
Today Jerome is known for its preserved mining history, hillside architecture, galleries, artist community and enduring reputation as one of Arizona's best-known historic ghost towns.
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