Cerro Colorado, Arizona, Pima County is a captivating ghost town that intrigues visitors with its rich history and remnants of a once-thriving mining community. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Pima County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 31.9471° N, 111.2873° W
Elevation: Approximately 3,576 feet (1,090 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST), UTC -7
Established: April 17, 1872
Disestablished: April 15, 1911
Comments: Cerro Colorado was primarily a mining town during its brief period of prosperity, mainly focused on silver mining. It gained fame due to the Cerro Colorado Mine, which was one of the richest silver mines in Arizona during the 19th century. The town experienced rapid growth during the silver boom, attracting miners and settlers. However, as with many mining towns, it faced a swift decline when the silver resources were depleted.
Remains: Visitors to Cerro Colorado can still find remnants of its mining past, including a few stone foundations and the remains of mining structures. Some old equipment and mining tools might still be scattered across the site, providing a tangible link to its industrious past.
Current Status: Cerro Colorado is classified as a ghost town today. While it no longer has a permanent population or active industry, it remains a site of historical interest for visitors seeking to explore Arizona’s mining history.
Remarks: The town of Cerro Colorado is a testament to the boom-and-bust cycle typical of many mining towns in the American West. Its story is marked by the pursuit of prosperity and the inevitable decline once the resources were exhausted. The town’s remnants offer a glimpse into the challenges and hopes of those who lived there, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
In 1861, fifteen Mexican and Native American men were killed after being buried alive in their shaft when the roof caved in. The men were deep within the shaft, so no rescue was possible or attempted; this frightened the Mexican employees, who felt the mine was haunted, so they left and went home to Sonora. Several German and American miners then became employed.
