Exploring Clifton, Arizona: A Hidden Gem of the Southwest (Cliff Jail)

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2 ай бұрын

Welcome to Clifton, Arizona, where every street corner holds a tale of triumph, tragedy, and timeless beauty. Join us on an exhilarating journey through this historic gem nestled in the heart of the Southwest. From the echoes of its mining past to the vibrant pulse of its present, Clifton beckons adventurers, history buffs, and nature lovers alike.
In this captivating video, we dive deep into the soul of Clifton, unraveling its rich tapestry of culture, heritage, and adventure. Follow us as we explore iconic landmarks, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered around every bend.
But Clifton is more than just a destination-it's an experience. Feel the rush of adrenaline as we embark on thrilling outdoor adventures, immerse ourselves in the warmth of local hospitality, and uncover the secrets of this enchanting town.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious explorer, Clifton promises an unforgettable odyssey unlike any other. So, pack your sense of wonder and join us as we uncover the heartbeat of Clifton, where every moment is a chance to create lasting memories.
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Пікірлер: 149

@SeabeeTraveler 2 күн бұрын

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@SharonMiller-po6rp 2 ай бұрын

Breaking my heart. I moved to Clifton when I graduated from High School. Best place, best people. Haven't been in several years so really appreciated this. Thanks

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi Sharon, Glad you enjoyed it, I wish I had more time to spend there. Bet you have some stories 🙂 Have a great week!

@454Casul 2 ай бұрын

I was born and raised in Morenci. I worked at the mine as a laborer, locomotive engineer, and after college, as a Metallurgical Engineer. The Morenci mine is the largest mine in North America and top ten, maybe top five in the world, in regards to production. They are currently producing a Billion pounds of copper per year. That slab of black material you saw at veterans park is waste material from the old 1800's smelter that was located where the circle k now stands. The material is called Slag, and the veterans park is built on top of a slag dump. The large building next to the jail was built by The Arizona Copper Company, one of the original mining companies in the district. It was thier headquarters in the late 1800's-early 1900's. It later was the site of The Valley National Bank, and the building on the far side was The Elks lodge.

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Wow! Thanks for all the information. If it's ok, I will post the Morenci information on my video of Morenci and route 191 to Alpine that comes out this afternoon. Have a great day!

@454Casul 2 ай бұрын

@@SeabeeTraveler Sure!

@LongdistanceRider22 2 ай бұрын

This is the Devil Highway. Beautiful scenic camping all the way to Hannigan’s Meadow.

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

I continued on thru Morenci to Alpine. Beautiful but curvy 🤣

@uncltod8801 Ай бұрын

My Grandmother was a school teacher in Clifton back in the 1940’s, my Father lived there as a child, took me there once back in the early 80’s, so this was a surprise coming across this video 😊😊

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi uncltod, I'm glad you found it. It was a neat place to visit with so much history. Have a great week!

@genekostcruiser 12 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for showing Clifton. Looks like it was a Beautiful town in it's payday. Thank for you documenting this treasure.

@SeabeeTraveler 12 күн бұрын

Hi Gene, You're very welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week!

@craiglowrey9550 2 ай бұрын

That huge shovel reminds me of the pit mine in Baghdad. We did several jobs down there on the 90's and a friend got us permission to go down in the pit. Those trucks are HUGE! And mostly women drivers. Nice trip through Clifton. I don't think I ever got over there while living in Prescott. Thanks Randy.

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi Craig, That would be cool to be at the bottom of the pit, After Clifton I went thru Morenci and saw some of those huge trucks. Have a great week!

@marcusshumway4946 3 күн бұрын

Great video, my dad grew up in Clifton in his younger years. His family moved to Snowflake his Jr/Sr year. After graduation he join the Navy and fought in the pacific during WWII as a radar man. As kids he would take us to Clifton/Morenci. We saw the jail which we had fun exploring. Thanks for the memories.

@SeabeeTraveler Күн бұрын

Hi Marcus, Wow, a radar man that was high tech back then. Clifton is a cool little town, I felt like a kid again checking out the jail😁. Thank you for sharing and have a great day!

@user-xv6wm5jq2b 27 күн бұрын

We have been to Clifton once. Friend used to live in Phoenix and the Sports Car Club there held a Hillclimb competition each year in the late sixties and early seventies. We trailered out to run the event and had a great time. The event was revived in recent years and several videos are on You-tube. A lot of fun to visit a small town that you have never seen and participate in an event that regular folks enjoy. So Clifton holds a special place in my memory.

@SeabeeTraveler 27 күн бұрын

Hi Pat, Glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Have a great week!

@karenr67 2 ай бұрын

Very interesting. You have such a soothing voice to listen too.

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi Karen, Thank you for the kind words. I'm blushing a little.🙂 Have a great week!

@thatkajunguy8029 2 ай бұрын

He's very smooth 😂😂

@joshuasjericho3915 Ай бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Thanks Mr.Bee 🐝 for the tour of Clifton, Arizona USA 🇺🇸! Thank 😊 you for your sacrifices to serve as well Mr.Navy! 🫡

@sparky1642 Ай бұрын

There’s song called “Open pit mine” by George Jones where mentions Clifton and Morenci

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Oh Cool... I will definitely check that one out. Have a great week!

@donhornjr6603 3 күн бұрын

Great Video! I was born and raised in Morenci (3rd gen Miner). I graduated in '83 and just left into the Army right before this flood. Where you're parked telling the story of the flood is, at the left of the screen below the point of the mountain. The building that is under water there was a Sears and Robuck store. That is the current location of the Veterans park after they cleaned up the mess of that flood. Where the shovel sits was an old 5 & Dime store or drug store before the flood. That's what the wall had the painted parking sign for. God Bless on your travels. 👍

@SeabeeTraveler Күн бұрын

Hi Don, Thank you so much for all that great information and your service. It's alway good to hear from a local with knowledge to share. Have a great day!

@Zap652 2 ай бұрын

Wow!! What a cool jail. Thanks for sharing

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Yeah it was neat. Have a good one?

@christinedegroot7951 7 күн бұрын

Hi I'm Christine I was born and raised in Arizona and there have been a lot of places in Arizona don't live there anymore all my family's been buried there most of them anyway my husband was a CB he was stationed in Port Hueneme California just missed the Vietnam War but I enjoy this trip you have taken and thank you

@SeabeeTraveler 7 күн бұрын

Hi Christine, Thank you for sharing, I was stationed in Port Hueneme as well. I'm glad you enjoy the videos as there is so much interesting history to see here. Have a wonderful day!

@2_pencil 4 күн бұрын

This is such beautiful scenery. I was from Flagstaff area but have always appreciated any desert landscapes. Thanks for the video.

@SeabeeTraveler Күн бұрын

Hi #2 pencil, I appreciate the desert more now than I did when I was younger. It is a beautiful place. Have a wonderful day!

@lloydbaker6988 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Randy. I appreciate the video. Great job as always 👍

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi Lloyd, Thank you and have an awesome week!

@t-bone9403 2 ай бұрын

The turquoise color in the rocks is copper. My dad worked at the Morenci mine, just up the hill from Clifton.

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi t-bone, Thanks for the info. I passed thru there on my to Alpine. Have a good day!

@annealissa 8 күн бұрын

My dad was born in Clifton. I also have a lot of family members buried there. I remember going to the old jail as a kid to explore.

@SeabeeTraveler 8 күн бұрын

Hi Alissa, Thank your sharing your memories. Clifton was a neat place to see and hope to go back for a longer visit. Have a great day!

@user-bn1wj3lk5g 6 күн бұрын

Love your content Bravo Zulu Shipmate. Beautiful little town.

@SeabeeTraveler 6 күн бұрын

Thank you Fernando. Have a great week!

@karenannelopez 15 күн бұрын

My Grandpa Ray Hayes, worked at the Check in Shack. When I was 6 a conductor let me take control ha ha I blew the Horn. So fun for a young one. My Grandparents are in the cenetary. I miss Morenci. The cousins. I miss Clifton and the Hottest red chili Burro I ever had at The Mexican restaurant. Good Memories

@SeabeeTraveler 15 күн бұрын

Hi Karen, What a fun memory of blowing the horn on the train! Next time I'm there I will try the restaurant. Thank for the story, and have a great day!

@user-tp1wb1df6w 11 күн бұрын

Great Tour, Great Narrative. OUTSTANDING! Keep Posting Brother Bee.🐝 HOORAH!

@SeabeeTraveler 11 күн бұрын

Thanks Jess, I appreciate the support and the kind words. HOORAH!

@gingerriviera3654 6 күн бұрын

I really like listening to you. And your perspective on things you see.

@SeabeeTraveler 6 күн бұрын

Hi Ginger, thank you for the kind words and I hope you have a wonderful week.

@stevenkaskus6173 15 күн бұрын

Thanks for the interesting tour of Clifton Arizona, I currently live in Clifton CO AND AM VERY FAMILIAR with Clifton N J. 😊. I've seen some of the ghost Hunter programs but doesn't do the same kind of tour you did, this is more like what my Mom and myself would have done. I just found your channel the other day and finally finished this video and I just joined your channel. Keep up the adventures as and always stay safe.

@SeabeeTraveler 14 күн бұрын

Hi Steven, Thank you for the kind words and the sub. I hope to get up to Colorado and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Have a great week!

@tjjudah 2 ай бұрын

Enjoyed another cool trip.. Randy!

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Teej, Have a great week!

@Telephony954 Ай бұрын

More than I expected, actually. The story of my life. thank you for sharing.

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

You're welcome Telephony, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week!

@ddcmr9 24 күн бұрын

I stayed in Clifton at the RV park over by the river worked out the mine, one of the greatest little towns in Arizona

@SeabeeTraveler 23 күн бұрын

Hi Diddle. I really enjoyed the visit and agree that it is a great little town. Have a great week!

@trishrobbins9942 Ай бұрын

I just stumbled onto your excellent channel. Thank you for your work! I lived in AZ during the Covid years and didn’t have the opportunity to explore these historic towns. I love architecture and share your perspective on these old buildings.

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi Trish, Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you found the channel. Arizona has plenty of old towns to explore. Have a great week!

@JigsawPuzzleConnection 29 күн бұрын

Wow just found your channel. Had an awesome time in Clifton.

@SeabeeTraveler 28 күн бұрын

Hi Puzzle Time, Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful week!

@dezertraider 27 күн бұрын

THANK YOU..

@SeabeeTraveler 27 күн бұрын

You're Welcome. Have a good day!

@ronnieleemichael4973 11 күн бұрын

Love this video, as I do everyone from you. I'm going to vote you "The best narrator with the best voice" on KZfaq ( and probably all other sites).

@SeabeeTraveler 11 күн бұрын

Hi Ronnielee, Thank you for the kind words! Have a great day and we'll see ya on the next one.

@emmahardesty4330 5 күн бұрын

Thanks, neat to travel along with you. It's a marvel that Clifton has survived. For a really great read about Clifton, and Morenci, read Holding the Line, by Barbara Kingsolver. Though the topic is about bravery in the face of a huge disinterested mining company, like any great book it's about so much more. One of Kingsolver's best. It makes you want to see the place.

@SeabeeTraveler 4 күн бұрын

Hi Emma, Thank you for sharing. I will check out "Holding the Line" it sounds interesting. I hope you have a wonderful day!

@W7DSY Ай бұрын

Cool...cool

@philwhipple4557 Ай бұрын

Strangest thing I ever saw there was my high school English teacher.

@jkmarshall3553 Ай бұрын

Dude, 75 degrees a little warm? I live in FL and 75 is amazing.... compared to 93 w/ 95% humidity for half the year. : )

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi JK, I know what you mean... I went to bootcamp in August at Orlando back in the mid 80s. That is a whole different kind of heat than Phoenix.🤣 Have a great week!

@ThomasLeonard454 5 күн бұрын

You travel like my wife and I do when we see something that seems interesting we stop and investigate. Our destination is still in front of us, we'll get there eventually.

@SeabeeTraveler 4 күн бұрын

Hi Thomas, When I was younger I just fly thru these towns. Now I take my time and enjoy the moment. Thank you for sharing and have a great week!

@Mama_298 13 күн бұрын

Love this! My husband was a SeaBee!!

@SeabeeTraveler 13 күн бұрын

Hi Mamma Mia, Thank you and please thank your husband for his service for me. Have a good day!

@Mama_298 13 күн бұрын

He passed away in 2013. He also was an express driver for empire after he retired, he drove many miles back and fourth to Morenci and all the mines in arizona delivering parts. He loved that adventure for 7 years. Thank YOU for your service to our country.

@SeabeeTraveler 13 күн бұрын

@@Mama_298 Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you again!

@emilya9944 5 күн бұрын

My mom grew up there !! I went there it was cool.

@SeabeeTraveler 4 күн бұрын

Hi Emily, Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed my visit there too. Have a great week!

@Enquiringkitty 11 күн бұрын

The BPOE sign on the newer part of the boarded-up building stands for "Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks".

@SeabeeTraveler 11 күн бұрын

Hi Patsy, Thank you for letting us know, I appreciate it. Have a great week!

@cliftonmelonzon7385 22 күн бұрын

I worked for the Arizona Department Health Services doing inventory and been to every town in Arizona. Thank you for memories. By the way my first name is Clifton.

@SeabeeTraveler 21 күн бұрын

Hi CPM, that is a lot places to have been to. I would imagine you've seen some pretty amazing stuff AZ has to offer. Have a great week!

@seabee73 Ай бұрын

Nice video. I just subscribed. That camo train was neat.

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi Seabee, Thanks for the sub and I'm glad you liked it. Have a great week!

@Pompomgrenade 26 күн бұрын

😂 okay video. Thank you for your naval service... Awesome Town and cool to see by motorcycle for sure

@SeabeeTraveler 25 күн бұрын

Hi P M, I'm ok with "okay"🙂. It would be a good ride on a motorcycle for sure, especially the highway into the mountains above. Have a great week!

@susanvanriper9605 11 күн бұрын

Hi, from Clifton, NJ

@SeabeeTraveler 11 күн бұрын

Hi Susan, Probably a little cooler in your Clifton than it is in ours😅 Have a good week!

@briannave7326 24 күн бұрын

Just subscribed, interesting video. I used to have a cabin in Whispering Pines, Az.

@SeabeeTraveler 24 күн бұрын

Hi and thank you for the sub. Whispering Pines is a beautiful area. Pretty close to the Tonto Natural bridge if I remember correctly. Have a great week!

@seanwiley558 2 ай бұрын

BU2 here, Raised in AZ, been through and seen it. Arizona has a lot of history. Keep up the great work! Can Do!

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Hi Sean, BU2 as well, born and raised in AZ, and have seen tons of change. Thank you and have a great week! Can Do!

@davidmcpherson7451 Ай бұрын

Used to pick up copper there and usually hauled it to Connecticut. Many times.

@mcmlxix69 16 күн бұрын

75 degrees is chilly!

@SeabeeTraveler 15 күн бұрын

I'm missing the 75 degree days now. It looks like 100+ for a while now. 🤣Have a great week!

@jackchivvis4188 29 күн бұрын

We have visited here and this corner of Az. for the last 10 years usually in March or Apr. Sadly the buildings on Chase st. are in bad repair and the shops can't seem to make it. Locals have told us the boom and bust mining economy makes it hard. The setting in a rugged canyon is cool and there are some nice places to camp in the general area. Not crowded here and also far west N.M. Some years the poppies are incredible.

@SeabeeTraveler 29 күн бұрын

Hi Jack, Thank you for the information. Have a good week!

@kathleenhack3897 28 күн бұрын

Hey Seabee, watch your visit to Florence, Az.. The Catholic Church you're at and you wondered What those little memorials were. They lock like Signs of The Coss, it's part of the Catholic Churches Mass or church service. I love your program as you walk slowly through the towns I'm definitely a new watcher.❤️🇺🇲

@SeabeeTraveler 28 күн бұрын

Hi Kathleen, Thank you for the info and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Have a great week!

@thehoneybadger8089 2 ай бұрын

B.P.O.E. would be the Elks Lodge(Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks).

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the info Honeybadger. Have a good day!

@karenpowell4626 16 күн бұрын

I thought it might have been an old railway office. Burlington Pacific Overland Express?

@SeabeeTraveler 16 күн бұрын

@@karenpowell4626 I did see the BPOE markings on the building but maybe it was a railway office before that. Have a great day!

@thatkajunguy8029 2 ай бұрын

3500 ft above sea-level and I see floodgates, that's crazy.... I see floodgates regularly here where I am but I'm 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, as the crow flies, and about 7 feet above sea-level 😂

@SeabeeTraveler 2 ай бұрын

I thought it was crazy too. I was surprised how bad it used to flood here. Have a great week!

@thatkajunguy8029 2 ай бұрын

@@SeabeeTraveler So true,water don't care...... Really enjoyed the rest of the video as well, looks like a really nice place to spend some time.... Enjoy the rest of your weekend

@shodopoet 18 күн бұрын

Outstanding content Shipmate Respect from Prescott Hooyah part of state I’m least familiar with reminds me of pics I’ve seen of Bisbee and mos def Jerome

@SeabeeTraveler 18 күн бұрын

Thanks Shodo. I definitely plan on visiting both of those historic towns for future videos. Have a great day!.

@shodopoet 18 күн бұрын

@@SeabeeTraveler I was an NPS VIP Ranger and Artist-in-Residence at Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle for 3 1/2 years live in Prescott area love it former HT in USN

@pauladee6937 3 күн бұрын

That Metal bar melted into the rock, oh and they had lights back then, just like there were lights inside the pyramids

@SeabeeTraveler Күн бұрын

Hi Paula, At least there was sunlight in the bigger cell. Probably wouldn't be fun during the monsoons though😃. Have a great day!

@RWilliams6943 16 күн бұрын

I like that. The Navy’s Bad Ass Little Brother.

@SeabeeTraveler 16 күн бұрын

Hi RWilliams, Since the Seabees trained with marines, I learned to respect them. Have a great week!

@cindyowens594 26 күн бұрын

BPOE, Benevolent Protector Order of Elk I think ??? Like similar social organization,

@SeabeeTraveler 26 күн бұрын

Hi Cindy, Thank you for that info. Hope you have a wonderful day!

@pauladee6937 3 күн бұрын

1983 food, wasnt that around the same time it flooded in Thistle Utah? Mud, floods, and fires!

@tombevilockway8754 Ай бұрын

The unknown building is the old Elk's Lodge. BPOE

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi Tom, Thank you for clarifying that for me. It's much appreciated. Have a great week!

@stevesr.fowler1200 23 күн бұрын

My grandfather Manuel Ramirez Siqueiros and my Tios were born out there and worked those mines Siqueiros Ramirez and Franco's moved to California in the 40s

@SeabeeTraveler 23 күн бұрын

Hi Steve, Thank you for sharing that. It's always interesting to hear the history of the people and families that helped build these historic places. Have a great week!

@AZQuadRunner 21 күн бұрын

US 191 is the old Route 666 - the Devil's Highway. The highway number change was made in the early 90s.

@SeabeeTraveler 20 күн бұрын

Hi AZQuadrunner, Thank you for the info. That road has some neat history. Have a great day!

@lutomson3496 2 ай бұрын

mining train engines freeport McMoRan the name is on the side big mines near phoenix

@hectora7479 6 күн бұрын

Reminds me of bisbee or jerome

@SeabeeTraveler 6 күн бұрын

Hi Hector, I thought so too. I have plans to visit both of them in the near future. Have a great day!

@Every_Day_Adventure Ай бұрын

That olval blob thing looked like it's out of an old slag pot

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

Hi adventurer, I think you're right. Someone else commented about it being slag. Have a great week!

@karenannelopez 15 күн бұрын

I used to put pennies on the tracks in clifton. Not great

@azdrifter3968 24 күн бұрын

I've been in Arizona almost 40 years and didn't know Clifton was even here. Lol. Cool jail. I wouldn't want to be a prisoner in it though.

@SeabeeTraveler 24 күн бұрын

Hi AZ Drifter, I wouldn't want a tenant of the jail either😅. Have a great week!

@philwhipple4557 Ай бұрын

Bpoe = Best People On Earth, the Elks club.

@MrJbhorses Ай бұрын

Looks like where Joe dirt was from

@SeabeeTraveler Ай бұрын

🤣 I could see that. Have a good one!

@pauladee6937 3 күн бұрын

Oh and notice all the giant doors and windows,, they have been repourposed to look shorter. 1800's yeah , ask yourselves about the cowboy days? Did they really cut, carry, those huge granite stones on wagons horses. The first power tool wasnt invented until 1895!

@pauladee6937 3 күн бұрын

Oh yeah, and then theres the churches, have you seen the Churches in SLC? Supposedly built-once again in 1800's, funny how that time of the predominant 'faith'