Cedar, Arizona emerged as a gold, silver, and copper mining settlement in the 1870s near the Hualapai Mountains. You’ll find a community that once thrived with about 200 residents, two saloons, and a general store/post office. Mining operations by Cedar Valley Gold & Silver Company supported the economy until mining failures, disease outbreaks, and isolation led to abandonment. Today, its crumbling structures and rusting equipment tell a story of frontier boom-and-bust cycles.
Key Takeaways
- Cedar was established in the 1870s after gold, silver, and copper discoveries near the Hualapai Mountains in Arizona.
- The town’s economy relied heavily on mining operations like Cedar Valley Gold & Silver Company.
- At its peak, Cedar had about 200 residents with two saloons and a general store/post office.
- Population declined due to failed mining operations, accidents, and cholera outbreaks between 1897-1900.
- Today, visitors can explore crumbling adobe walls and rusting equipment via Bumblebee Road north of Phoenix.
The Discovery and Founding of Cedar
In the early 1870s, when the American West still beckoned fortune seekers, prospectors discovered substantial gold, silver, and copper deposits in what would become Cedar, Arizona.
These mineral discoveries quickly attracted miners to the area, establishing a small but vibrant community in the shadows of the Hualapai Mountains near present-day Wikieup.
The settlement growth followed a familiar pattern of western expansion, with mining operations serving as the economic foundation.
Despite its modest size—never exceeding 200 residents at its peak—Cedar developed organized residential and commercial districts to support mining activities.
Curiously, the number of mines actually surpassed the population count.
Named Cedar, possibly reflecting the local geography, the town represented the quintessential mining community born of America’s resource-driven westward movement.
The town’s development led to the establishment of a post office in 1895, marking its recognition as an official community.
Like many similar settlements throughout Arizona, Cedar experienced a brief boom period due to mining prosperity before its eventual decline.
Mining Operations and Economic Development
Mining formed the lifeblood of Cedar, with operations primarily extracting gold, silver, and copper from the eastern slopes of the Hualapai Mountains.
The Cedar Group mine, situated at 4,341 feet elevation in Mohave County, targeted quartz veins with sulphides hosted in granite.
Two major companies dominated the landscape: Cedar Valley Gold & Silver Company and Yucca Cyanide Mining & Milling Company. They employed both underground and surface extraction methods, utilizing cyanide processing and basic mining equipment to increase recovery efficiency. The buildings constructed for these operations often utilized durable cedar wood due to its natural resistance to decay in the harsh mining environment.
During peak operations around 1907, approximately 200 residents depended on these ventures.
The mine was formerly operated by Charles R. Ward Corporation, which managed several mining claims in the area.
The town’s economic sustainability proved fragile, however. Without diversified industries, Cedar’s fate was inextricably tied to mineral extraction.
When accessible ore depleted and prices fell in the early 1910s, operations ceased, triggering the community’s rapid decline.
Daily Life in a Frontier Mining Community
Life in Cedar, Arizona during its brief heyday revolved around a small but vibrant community of approximately 200 residents who adapted to the challenges of frontier existence.
You’d find social interactions centered around the town’s two saloons, where miners sought respite from their dangerous work. The general store and post office (1895-1911) served as essential community hubs, connecting you to necessities and news from the outside world. Similar to Old Irontown, residents depended on iron products for daily survival.
Community dynamics were shaped by the harsh environment and isolation in the Hualapai Mountains. Without schools or churches, informal social structures emerged. Like Jerome with its 15,000 residents at its peak, Cedar experienced the boom-and-bust cycle typical of mining towns.
Isolation forged Cedar’s resilience – a community bonded by hardship where structure emerged from necessity rather than institution.
You’d face daily challenges including limited water access, extreme temperatures, and minimal medical care. Family life existed alongside the mainly male mining workforce, with stone residences offering protection against the elements.
Decline and Abandonment of Cedar
The bustling frontier existence that characterized Cedar, Arizona wouldn’t endure beyond the early 20th century.
Population shifts began as mining operations failed to attract substantial investment, unable to compete with richer deposits elsewhere in Mohave County. The town’s decline mirrored the fate of ghost towns throughout Arizona, including Nothing. Unlike Chloride, which managed to retain its historic buildings and cemetery, Cedar failed to preserve any significant structures for future generations.
The community faced multiple challenges: mining accidents and cholera claimed lives between 1897-1900, weakening an already small workforce of around 200 residents.
Cedar’s remote location near the Hualapai Mountains hindered transportation while the absence of railroad infrastructure limited economic growth.
Exploring the Remnants Today
While Cedar’s heyday has long passed, intrepid explorers can still discover the haunting remnants of this once-vibrant mining community north of Phoenix along the I-17 corridor. Accessible via Bumblebee Road, the site requires no entry fees as it sits on public land.
You’ll encounter roofless structures, crumbling adobe walls, and rusting mining equipment slowly surrendering to the desert landscape. Sagebrush, mesquite, and cacti reclaim the town, creating compelling ghost town photography opportunities against striking desert vistas.
Desert wildlife occasionally inhabits these abandoned spaces, adding to the site’s mystique. Like many other abandoned settlements in the state, Cedar represents Arizona’s harsh environmental challenges that ultimately limited sustainable development beyond mining operations. Similar to Bumble Bee, Cedar is one of the privately owned ghost towns in Arizona with very few remaining residents.
Exercise caution during your exploration—no visitor facilities exist, and structures remain unstable.
For maximum context, combine your Cedar visit with nearby ghost towns, allowing for an extensive understanding of Arizona’s mining history without the commercialized experience of better-preserved sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were Any Notable Individuals Associated With Cedar’s History?
Historical records don’t identify any notable residents or historical figures associated with Cedar. You’ll find no documented prominent individuals from either Cedar Valley Gold & Silver or Yucca Cyanide Mining companies.
How Did Cedar Get Its Name?
You’ll hardly be shocked that Cedar’s origins stem from its proximity to Cedar Creek. The naming significance reflects Arizona’s common practice of christening settlements after local geographic features and abundant flora.
What Happened to Cedar Residents After the Town’s Abandonment?
After abandonment, Cedar residents dispersed to nearby mining towns, railroad hubs, or agricultural communities. You’ll find they adapted by changing occupations, following seasonal work, or relocating for more stable economic prospects elsewhere in Arizona.
Are There Any Legends or Ghost Stories About Cedar?
While exploring Arizona’s ghost towns, you’ll find no documented Cedar legends or ghost sightings in historical records. Unlike other mining towns with established paranormal folklore, Cedar lacks specific supernatural narratives tied to its abandoned ruins.
Was Cedar Ever Threatened by Wildfires or Natural Disasters?
Historical records don’t indicate Cedar faced significant wildfire risks or disaster impacts. Unlike forested California regions, Cedar’s desert location likely limited natural threats contributing to its abandonment.
References
- https://www.apcrp.org/BLOCK_KATHY/TALE_OF_TWO_TOWNS/A_Tale_of_Two_Towns_Mast.htm
- https://www.arizonahighways.com/article/arizona-ghost-towns
- http://genealogytrails.com/ariz/mohave/ghost-towns.html
- http://www.apcrp.org/CEDAR_CEDARVILLE/Cedar_Text_Mast012609.htm
- https://www.guroute.com/GuRoutes/532478?tourType=5
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/cedar.html
- https://kids.kiddle.co/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Arizona
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar
- https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10283782/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQZnThaWN0s
