Cleator, Arizona is an authentic ghost town nestled in the Bradshaw Mountains, preserving its mining heritage across 40 acres of historic buildings. You’ll find the iconic Cleator Bar and Yacht Club (ironically far from water), weathered cabins, and the 1930s WPA-built schoolhouse. Owned by the Cleator family since 1925, when James Cleator renamed the former Turkey Creek settlement, this hidden gem maintains its frontier character while allowing visitors to experience genuine Arizona history firsthand.
Key Takeaways
- Cleator is a preserved Arizona ghost town established during the 1864 gold rush in Turkey Creek Mining District.
- The town features authentic historic buildings on 40 acres, including a 1930s WPA schoolhouse and weathered mining cabins.
- James Cleator renamed the settlement in 1925, and his family has maintained ownership for nearly a century.
- The Cleator Bar and Yacht Club occupies the original saloon and serves as the town’s quirky social hub.
- Mining, railroads, and commerce drove Cleator’s economy until its decline, with some residents still occupying the historic site.
From Turkey Creek to Cleator: A Mining Town’s Birth
While most mining settlements in Arizona Territory sprang up overnight with the flash of gold in a prospector’s pan, Turkey Creek’s transformation into Cleator followed a more measured path.
In 1864, gold prospecting expanded from Walker into what became the Turkey Creek Mining District, named for the wild turkeys roaming alongside its waters.
You would’ve found a modest stage station and struggling post office by 1869, serving travelers and miners seeking fortune in the creek’s shallow placers.
The 1902 arrival of the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad transformed this outpost, attracting enterprising men like Leverett Nellis and James Cleator.
Their partnership shaped the mining community’s destiny, culminating in 1925 when the town officially adopted the name “Cleator,” reflecting its most influential proprietor’s legacy.
The challenging terrain through which the railroad passed earned it the nickname Murphy’s Impossible Railroad, requiring engineering feats to navigate the steep switchbacks.
The community expanded as Cleator and Nellis built a thriving business, with James developing a herd of cattle while operating their general store.
The Golden Years: Economy and Industry at Its Peak
Three industries powered Cleator during its golden years—mining, railroads, and commerce—creating a bustling hub where fortune seekers and entrepreneurs converged.
Gold mining operations, which began with placer discoveries in 1864, initially drove the local economy until ore depletion prompted diversification into silver extraction.
The promise of gold drew men to Cleator’s earth, but silver’s gleam sustained them when yellow dreams faded.
You’d have witnessed economic fluctuations as mines opened and closed, with operations like the Hidden Treasure Mine sustaining activity well into the 20th century.
When Murphy’s “Impossible Railroad” connected Cleator to neighboring communities in 1902, it transformed the town’s prospects, enabling efficient transport of minerals and supplies.
James Cleator’s general store, post office, and bar formed the commercial heart of town, where miners, ranchers, and railroad workers gathered.
The thriving community was positioned in the Bradshaw Mountains region at an elevation of 3,501 feet, providing strategic access to the rich mineral deposits of the area.
This vibrant intersection of industries defined Cleator’s peak before inevitable decline set in.
Similar to Cleator in Cumbria, England, the town experienced significant population fluctuations that mirrored the rise and fall of local industrial development.
Exploring the Historic Buildings and Infrastructure
Today’s visitor to Cleator can still walk in the footsteps of its early inhabitants, with the physical remnants of this once-thriving community providing a tangible link to its storied past.
The town’s historic architecture remains largely authentic, nestled on 40 acres at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains. The town was originally known as Turkey Creek in the late 1800s before being renamed.
- Original WPA-built stone schoolhouse from 1930 stands as a symbol of Depression-era craftsmanship
- Cleator Bar and Yacht Club occupies the original saloon with its creaking wooden floor and authentic frontier aesthetic
- Dozen weathered cabins dot the landscape, some still occupied by the town’s eight permanent residents
- Main road follows the former Bradshaw Mountain Railroad bed, with visible evidence of rail infrastructure
Despite preservation challenges, Cleator’s buildings continue to tell the story of Arizona’s mining frontier.
The Cleator Family Legacy and Preservation Efforts
Since James P. Cleator, a Manx immigrant with mining expertise, renamed this small settlement after himself in 1925, the town has remained under remarkable family stewardship. His descendants have maintained ownership for nearly a century, rejecting commercial development in favor of authentic preservation.
You’ll appreciate how the Cleator family allows tenants to live here under strict guidelines—interiors can be remodeled, but exteriors must retain their weathered, historic character. This deliberate approach keeps Cleator’s ghost town aesthetic intact while supporting a small living community of eight full-time residents.
The family’s dedication to community engagement continues through institutions like the Cleator Bar, where the close-knit atmosphere once described as “where everybody knows your name” lives on. The bar has become a central gathering place that even hosted Thanksgiving dinner events to raise money for the local food bank.
Step into the Cleator Bar and discover a place where community transcends time, preserved by generations who value authentic connection.
Their preservation model represents freedom from the homogenization that claims so many historic places.
The Cleator Bar and Yacht Club: A Desert Anomaly
While the Cleator family’s preservation efforts maintain the town’s historic fabric, the heart of this dusty outpost beats strongest in its most famous establishment.
The Cleator Bar & Yacht Club stands as a delightful contradiction—a nautical-themed watering hole nearly 300 miles from any ocean, where you’ll find wooden floors beneath your boots and maritime relics adorning the walls. The interior is uniquely decorated with dollar bills wallpapering the surfaces, added by visitors over the years.
- Boats, buoys, and pontoon displays create surreal nautical decor against the Bradshaw Mountains backdrop
- Cash-only transactions preserve the establishment’s off-the-grid independence
- Community events like “Tina’s 9 Lives Run” demonstrate the bar’s role as a social anchor
- Dogs roam freely, completing the picture of unfettered desert freedom
This seven-day-a-week oasis welcomes wanderers, off-roaders, and freedom-seekers to its ramshackle sanctuary, where cold canned beers await your dusty arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Paranormal Activities Reported in Cleator?
Unlike other ghost towns, you’ll find no documented ghost sightings or haunted locations in Cleator. The town’s rich history doesn’t include paranormal tales—just living residents and a thriving bar scene.
Can Visitors Camp Overnight in or Near Cleator?
You’ll find the ghost town’s million-dollar views, but camping regulations prohibit overnight stays in Cleator itself. You’re free to explore nearby campsites at Ghost Town Road BLM area, just a short drive away.
What Happened to James Cleator After the Town’s Decline?
James Cleator remained in the area until his death in 1959 at age 89, living to see his legacy fade yet endure as a monument to frontier independence you can still visit today.
Is Cleator Accessible During Winter Months?
Time stands still in Cleator even as seasons change. You’ll find it accessible year-round with minimal winter conditions affecting travel. The dirt roads remain passable, presenting only minor accessibility challenges for your freedom-seeking adventure.
Are There Any Annual Events or Festivals Held in Cleator?
Unlike larger ghost towns with established festivals, Cleator offers no regular local celebrations. You’ll only find the new Cleator Wild West Shootout disc golf tournament, which debuted October 2025 as a potential annual tradition.
References
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/life/az-narratives/2014/03/21/david-rhodes-cleator-life-arizona-ghost-town/6711953/
- http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2017/07/cleator-ghost-town-that-was-sold-twice.html
- https://kjzz.org/content/263999/cleator-arizona-ghost-town-watering-hole
- https://azoffroad.net/cleator
- https://kingglobal.gold/cleator/
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/cleator.html
- https://www.arizonahighways.com/article/arizona-ghost-towns
- http://minerdiggins.com/ebht.html
- https://oldhtmlarchive.sharlothallmuseum.org/manuscripts/personal/Cleator_Collection.pdf
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=74224
