Back in 1892, the town of Goldfield was a lively little town of 28 buildings and about 4,000 people. This mining town rests in Apache Junction near Superstition Mountain. The legend of Superstition Mountain is one of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. According to the legend, Jacob Waltz, a German immigrant, discovered a gold mine within the mountains and finally revealed the location on his deathbed in 1891 to a woman named Julia Thomas. Julia, a boarding-house owner, took care of Jacob for many years, and he felt indebted to her. Many have said that they have discovered the mine, but none of which have been verified. Some locals, Apaches, also believe that the hole to hell exists within the Superstition Mountains, which is the cause of the severe dust storms in the area. By 1897, prospectors had dug all the gold out of the mines, and Goldfield dried up. People started to leave the area, and it became a ghost town shortly thereafter.
So how did I find out about the ghost town? Well, it all started when I was fourteen years old. I have a slight (and when I say slight I mean major) obsession with the paranormal. Of course, this led me to watch all the ghost hunter shows airing on television, but my favorite, Ghost Adventures (hosted by Zak Bagans on the Travel Channel), went to some pretty epic locations. Over the years, when I am in a town that I know the legendary, attractive Zak Bagans has investigated, I seek out to experience the haunted sites. I understand that some people do not believe in the paranormal. I am not here to convince you, but this is how I found out about the Goldfield Ghost Town, so hang in there. I saw Zak and the gang investigate Goldfield Ghost Town on an episode, so here I am driving about 40 minutes outside Mesa, Arizona.
Before I had gotten to Goldfield, I knew it wasn't exactly a ghost town any longer. The ghost town, now turned tourist attraction, was constructed to represent the original town of Goldfield. The original metropolis no longer exists. No structures that remain standing are the original. That is because most of them burned to the ground, they fell apart, etc. The Goldfield Ghost Town that is standing today, was constructed by Bob Schoose, the unofficial mayor of the new Goldfield Ghost Town and the landowner. He built the town as a replica of the metropolis that he saw with his own eyes. He even used some of the original foundations. He did this to tell Arizona's history and show others how much he loves this state.
So what can you do there? Many activities are available for tourists to enjoy. I happened to go when Covid-19 was in full swing, so not all activities were open to me, but when life is a little more back to normal, there are a lot of options. Between horse trail rides, a shooting range, a street gunfight display, and futures being told by "Pappy," you can also take an old-time photo, visit the Goldfield Ghost Town museum, and even take a mine tour. Each extra excursion does cost you, but the experience and memories made will be like no other. There is also the Saloon, where you can each a full lunch or a cafe to serve you a quick bite. Everything in a day trip is available at your fingers here, and even just walking through the town is a step back into the past itself.
Some tips while spending a full day in the sun are to bring lots of water and wear lots of sunscreens. Most activities do take place outdoors, and if you are ill-equipped, the sun and heat can get to you. If going for a horse trail ride, you should wear pants and closed-toed shoes! That will save you from chaffing and getting your toes stubbed. You should also bring some cash. Goldfield is a bit outside civilization, and even though they do take credit cards, it takes the machine a minute to go through with the transaction. Cash is more easy to use and much faster to use here. Also, bring a camera or at least a phone with a decent camera. There is no place like Goldfield Ghost Town, and you will want to take photos. So what if you are one of "those" tourists! If you have kids, you are going to want to catch their reactions to the street gunfight.
If you love western movies or anything that has to do with the Old West, throw on your cowboy boots and ride on over to Goldfield Ghost Town. It teleports you back in time, and it is amazing how you forget the outside world. Find your inner outlaw and explore the many adventures Goldfield has to offer. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience to witness, and no one should miss seeing this.
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