Jerome

Understand

Jerome is an old copper mining town set on the steep slopes of Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and Sedona. Once the fourth largest city in Arizona, it became one of the West's largest ghost towns in the 1950s. Now designated a National Historic District, the town has gained new life as an artist colony and tourist attraction.

History

Once known as the "Wickedest Town in the West", Jerome owes its existence to two ore bodies that pushed close to the surface near Jerome and drew early settlers and miners. Two mines opened up - the first in the late 19th century, the second in 1917. While known mostly for copper, other metals including gold, silver, lead and zinc were mined. A narrow gauge railway connected Jerome to Jerome Junction, a railway transfer point 27 mi to the west. Over the years mining expanded, the mine becoming the leading copper producer in the state and the population of Jerome growing ten-fold from 1890 (250 persons) to 1900 (2,500 persons). Four fires between 1894 and 1898 destroyed much of the business district and half the homes, and in 1899 Jerome incorporated as a town making it possible to collect taxes to build a formal fire-fighting system and establish building codes to prohibit tents and other fire hazards within the town limits.

Mine production had always fluctuated, with boom and bust cycles from World War I to the Great Depression. Today the mines are silent: they closed for good in 1953 when the ore deposits ran out. The population dwindled to fewer than 100 persons in the mid-1950s, becoming a ghost down (down from 4,900 in 1920 at its peak, to 1,200 in 1950). Residents turned to tourism and retail sales, putting Jerome back on the map as a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

Climate

Situated at 5,000 ft elevation within the Prescott National Forest, Jerome has climate typical of this elevation and environment – hot summers (temperatures in the 90s °F / 32 °C) with strong thunderstorms, and cool winters (lows average just above freezing, 33 °F / 1 °C) with some dusting of snow.

Most precipitation arrives as rain from July to September, although snow and fog sometimes occurs. Jerome is often windy, especially in the spring and fall.

Get in

Jerome is located along Arizona State Route 89A (AZ 89A ), which is a great road to experience on its own. Jerome is 27 mi south of Sedona and 35 mi north of Prescott.

To reach Jerome from Phoenix, take I-17 north to Camp Verde, then head northwest on Arizona State Route 260 (AZ 260) to Cottonwood, then continue northwest on AZ 89A through Clarkdale and to Jerome. And from Flagstaff, you can take the scenic route of AZ 89A south all the way from Flagstaff through Sedona. Or more directly, you can take I-17 south to Camp Verde, and take AZ 260 northwest, continuing on same route as from Phoenix.

AZ 89A has scenic and historic designations: between Prescott and Jerome, it is known as the Mingus Mountain Scenic Road. Between Jerome and Cottonwood, it is known as Historic US 89A, officially named the Jerome-Clarkdale-Cottonwood Historic Road. And from Sedona to Flagstaff, the route is known as the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road.

Get around

A small town, Jerome is best seen on foot. Parking can be an issue, especially on weekends. The city runs a free shuttle during Art Walk weekends.

Go next

• Head further along :

* North to Clarkdale, Cottonwood, to Sedona. * South to Prescott and Prescott Valley.