Cloride, Arizona - Preserving the Past For the Future

Chloride - Preserving the Past for the Future

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There are still a few mines in operation today, but Chloride looks elsewhere for prosperity. Over the last decade Chloride’s residents have banded together to pull the town out of “ghost town” status to evolve into a tourist mecca and a snow-bird haven. The goal of the residents is to preserve the past, while allowing the town to live on in the future.

The year-round population at Chloride is about 150, but peaks during the winter months at closer to 400. This quaint “Old West” town is filled with gift shops offering handmade art, crafts, and jewelry. Attracting some 20,000 tourists from all over the world every year, Chloride provides a great opportunity to experience the history of this old mining camp.

Shoot-outs are held in Chloride's "old town",

April, 2005, Kathy Weiser

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

The town prides itself on the preservation of buildings like the Jim Fritz Museum, the old jail, the historic post office, and the old train station. Chloride’s Volunteer Fire Department, the oldest in Arizona, proudly displays its 1939 Ford Fire Engine to visitors. At high-noon on Saturdays, you’ll be entertained by gun-fight troupes re-enacting comical scenes of the Old West.

Chloride's old jail contains to cells and a small office,

April, 2005, Kathy Weiser

The remains of the Tennessee and Schuylkill mines are east of town but closed to the public. West of town is an old cemetery that is worth a look.

Outside of town you can see the Chloride Murals, as well as a scattering of ancient petroglyphs.

To get there, take Tennessee Avenue, Chloride’s main road, past the post office then follow the signs. This unpaved road generally requires a high-clearance vehicle. With a four-wheel drive, it is possible to continue up a steep and rocky clearance where more mining remains can be seen.

To get to Chloride, travel northwest on US 93 for approximately 20 miles from Kingman, Arizona. The turnoff to Chloride is well-marked between mile markers 52 and 53, then east three miles on a paved road.

Old gas station in Chloride, Arizona, April, 2008, Kathy Weiser

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Also See: Quirky Chloride

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