Cleator, Arizona, Yavapai County is a alluring ghost town with a rich history that intrigues many explorers and history enthusiasts. Once a bustling mining community, it now stands as a tribute to the resilience and eventual decline of many such settlements in the American West. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Yavapai County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 34.2881° N, 112.3243° W
Elevation: Approximately 3,450 feet (1,052 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Established: 1864
Disestablished: Not officially disestablished, but largely abandoned by the mid-20th century
Comments: Cleator was originally established as a mining town named Turkey Creek Mining District. The town was later renamed after James P. Cleator, who took over the town in 1925. With the decline of mining activities, Cleator, like many other mining towns, saw a decrease in population and activity.
Cleator /’kli?t?r/ is a ghost town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. It lies along the road that has replaced Murphy’s Impossible Railroad between Cordes and Crown King.
Remains: Today, Cleator features a few standing structures, including the Cleator Bar & Yacht Club, which serves as a quirky reminder of the town’s past. Some original buildings and abandoned vehicles can still be found, offering a glimpse into its historic era.
Current Status: Cleator is considered a ghost town, with very few residents remaining. It functions more as a tourist curiosity than a residential community, attracting visitors interested in its history and remnants. Cleator’s population fell in the 1920s as mining in the area declined and the town was put up for sale by James Cleator in April 1949. It then had about 60 residents.
James P. Cleator’s son Thomas bought the town and lived there until his death in 1996. He kept the small bar open most of the years he lived there. After his death everything was inherited by his sister Eleanor and her son. The bar is still open and a favorite stop along the dusty road for recreational ATV drivers and weekend tourists.
Remarks: Cleator’s charm lies in its rustic and authentic ghost town atmosphere. It offers a unique look at a bygone era and serves as a reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized many mining towns in the region. Despite its status as a ghost town, Cleator’s small community and visitors keep its spirit alive.
