Cordes is a ghost town in Yavapai County, Arizona, originally established as a stage stop in 1883 by John Henry Cordes. You’ll find abandoned buildings from its heyday as a mining supply hub that thrived until the construction of I-17 bypassed the town. The community declined after the general store burned and the post office closed in 1944. The site offers a glimpse into Arizona’s pioneering past with fascinating stories waiting to be uncovered.
Key Takeaways
- Cordes was established in 1883 by John Henry Cordes as a stage stop that later became a vital mining supply hub.
- The ghost town originally served the California & Arizona Stage Company route before supporting Bradshaw Mountains mining operations.
- Cordes declined after I-17 construction bypassed the town, with its general store burning down and post office closing in 1944.
- Historical structures remain standing today, though visitors should exercise caution when exploring these abandoned buildings.
- Located in Yavapai County, the site requires personal transportation as no public transit options are available.
The Birth and Naming of a Stage Stop
In 1883, when John Henry Cordes arrived at Antelope Station with his wife “Lizzie” and their one-year-old son Charles, he couldn’t have known his surname would eventually define the settlement.
This German immigrant purchased the adobe stage stop for $769.43, acquiring a strategic point along the California & Arizona Stage Company route. When Cordes applied for a post office, authorities rejected “Antelope Station” due to confusion with another location (later called Stanton). Undeterred, he submitted his family name instead.
A practical solution to government bureaucracy, Cordes stamped his family legacy on Arizona’s territorial map.
As first postmaster of “Cordes,” John Henry established a crucial communication hub for travelers, miners, and settlers. The stage stop evolved beyond its transportation roots into the nucleus of community identity, with the Cordes family maintaining their presence well into the 20th century. John and Lizzie had first met in New York after both immigrating from Germany. Similar to the Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company stations that once dotted Arizona, Cordes Station served as a vital waypoint for those traversing the challenging terrain.
This practical solution to a bureaucratic challenge typifies the independent spirit of Arizona’s territorial development.
From Antelope Junction to Mining Hub
While John Henry Cordes was establishing his family’s namesake post office, the settlement was already becoming much more than just a mail stop.
You’d find Cordes serving as the critical supply junction for mines throughout the Bradshaw Mountains. Before railways transformed the region’s mining logistics, stagecoaches and wagons carried essential equipment and provisions from Cordes to remote mining operations. The town became the crucial link between Prescott and southern mining districts.
When the Bradshaw Mountain Railway arrived in 1902, Cordes’ importance surged. The railway impact was immediate – Cordes Siding became a designated stop for mining freight, dramatically increasing efficiency. The area particularly flourished during the gold mining boom of 1890-1917 when improved processes increased production throughout Arizona. This paralleled Arizona’s emergence as a copper powerhouse in the late 19th century when the Southern Pacific Railroad made mining economically viable.
The 1910 general store served as a key supply depot for miners, while the settlement functioned as a change point for horses and mules used in transport operations throughout the region.
Daily Life in a Frontier Community
Life in Cordes took shape around the rhythms of a frontier mining community, where daily existence balanced hardship with remarkable resilience.
You’d find residents like John Henry Cordes working night shifts at the mill before tending bar during daylight hours.
The stage stop served as the heart of social activity, where community gatherings brought together German immigrants, miners, and pioneers like Charles Hayden. Care was taken to avoid confusion with other locations named “Cordes,” as the term serves as a disambiguation reference in multiple contexts.
Family traditions centered around adobe homes where children played while adults managed gardens, preserved food, and tended livestock. Similar to other ghost towns in Arizona, Cordes offers a glimpse into the state’s rich mining history.
Without a formal church, religious observance remained informal, with Mrs. Eliza Edwards particularly concerned about proper Sabbath keeping.
The fourteen-year-running school provided basic education and served as another gathering spot, though frontier isolation limited learning opportunities for the children of Cordes.
The Decline After Black Canyon Freeway
When the Black Canyon Freeway (I-17) carved its path two miles east of Cordes in the mid-20th century, it delivered a fatal blow to the once-thriving frontier community.
The freeway impact was immediate and devastating, reducing travel times from Phoenix to Flagstaff from five hours to just two, bypassing Cordes entirely.
The economic shifts that followed were relentless:
- The Cordes General Store burned down and wasn’t rebuilt as customer traffic disappeared.
- The post office closed in 1944 as community viability collapsed.
- Business activity relocated to the newly established Cordes Junction near the interstate.
Recent flex lanes implementation has further cemented the isolation of old Cordes by enhancing traffic flow along I-17 during peak travel periods.
You can still visit what remains of old Cordes today, but you’ll find only ghost town remnants where sheep drivers and miners once gathered, all victims of progress and changing transportation patterns.
Visiting the Ghost Town Today
Situated in the high desert landscape of Yavapai County, Cordes ghost town offers visitors a glimpse into Arizona’s pioneering past, despite its diminished state.
You’ll need your own vehicle to reach this remote location, as no public transportation serves the area.
The site’s historical significance stems from its role in 19th-century mining operations, with several structures still standing from this bygone era. The town was established in 1883 by John Henry Cordes, who became its namesake when the postal service rejected “Antelope Junction.”
While exploring the abandoned buildings, exercise caution due to potential structural hazards.
Expect no amenities on-site—bring water and supplies.
The surrounding area compensates with outdoor opportunities like hiking near Agua Fria National Monument and fishing at Cordes Lakes. Unlike other Arizona ghost towns like Jerome or Goldfield, Cordes remains largely undeveloped for tourism.
Visit during spring or fall to avoid summer’s 100°F heat and winter’s frigid temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Any Famous Outlaws or Gunfighters Visit Cordes?
No, there’s no historical evidence that famous outlaws or gunfighters visited Cordes. You won’t find credible records of Billy the Kid, the James Gang, or Wyatt Earp in this small community.
What Happened to John Henry Cordes After the Town’s Decline?
You’re mixing up the timeline! John Henry Cordes died in 1919, decades before the town’s decline in the 1950s. His Cordes descendants maintained his legacy by operating the family business until the post office closed in 1944.
Were There Any Major Disasters or Epidemics in Cordes?
You won’t find any major disasters in Cordes. Historical records show no disease outbreaks, mining accidents, floods or earthquakes. The only notable tragedy was Henry George Cordes’ death in 1887, possibly from meningitis.
What Indigenous Tribes Inhabited the Area Before Settlement?
While records aren’t always complete, you’ll discover the Hohokam primarily inhabited the Cordes area, evidenced by excavated pit houses. These Native Tribes left rich Cultural Heritage through artifacts, farming techniques, and settlements before European contact.
Are There Any Reported Hauntings or Paranormal Activity?
You’ll encounter reports of Native American spirit sightings in the Cordes Lakes area. Local legends describe battle apparitions and unexplained sounds, though no formal paranormal investigations have documented these ghost sightings with scientific evidence.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordes
- https://www.apcrp.org/Cordes/CORDES – MASTER DOCUMENT 082907.htm
- http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/htme/cordes.htm
- https://www.arizonahighways.com/article/arizona-ghost-towns
- https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Best-Ghost-Towns-in-the-State-of-Arizona
- https://prestonm.com/bct-cordes-to-big-bug-creek/
- https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Yavapai_County
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragoon_Springs_Stage_Station_Site
- http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-american-ranch-ritz-of-stage-stops.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sIR5BQkmWQ
