Goldfield, located at the base of the Superstition Mountains, is a popular day trip from Phoenix, Arizona. This ghost town, is a rare find in the Southwest. It features Old West-style buildings and a main street, offering a glimpse into the past.
Is Goldfield a genuine ghost town, or is it a reconstructed tourist destination? I'll share its history, and you can decide for yourself.
During the Wild West era, a prospector discovered valuable gold in the Superstition Mountains. News of the high-grade ore spread, drawing in more miners who eventually established the Mammoth Mine. This led to the birth of a new settlement around the mine. The discovery of a new mine added to the famous tale of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, attracting more miners and settlers to Goldfield. The town quickly expanded, reaching a population of over a thousand.
In 1893, a post office was established in this mining settlement, officially turning it into a town. Settlers quickly built a church, schoolhouse, general store, and meat market. A blacksmith and a brewery arrived, followed by saloons, a boarding house, and a hotel. The town and its population thrived for a while, but when the gold ran out, its growth came to an end.
Goldfield became a ghost town in 1898, only five years after it was established, as the mines closed and people gradually left. The once-thriving town saw a decline until it was completely abandoned, leaving empty buildings to be swept by the wind. Despite the persistent legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, some prospectors stayed behind in Goldfield, attempting to locate it, while others aimed to reopen the old Mammoth Mine. Though they did find gold, it proved insufficient for sustainable living.
In the early 1900s, a prosperous businessman named George Young introduced modern mining equipment and decided to revive the mines. This attracted settlers, leading to the town's revival in 1921, now called Youngsberg.