Clemenceau, Arizona was established in 1917 by James Douglas Jr. as a company town for the United Verde Extension Mine. Named after the French Prime Minister, it housed between 1,000-5,000 residents who lived under strict corporate control. When the smelter closed on December 31, 1936, the town quickly declined into abandonment. Today, you’ll find remnants preserved in the Clemenceau Heritage Museum, while toxic soil remains as a lasting environmental legacy.
Key Takeaways
- Clemenceau was established in 1917 as a company town for the United Verde Extension Mine by James Douglas, Jr.
- The town was tightly controlled by the mining company, which owned homes and paid residents in scrip.
- After the smelter closed on December 31, 1936, Clemenceau was abandoned and became a ghost town.
- The mining operations left behind approximately 3 million tons of waste, contaminating soil with heavy metals.
- Today, the Clemenceau Heritage Museum preserves remnants including the 1924 schoolhouse, 1918 bank, and post office.
The Birth of a Company Town (1917-1920)
As the copper industry boomed in Jerome during the early 20th century, Clemenceau emerged from necessity in 1917 when James Douglas, Jr., owner of the United Verde Extension Mine (UVX), established a company town to serve the mine’s smelter operations.
Town construction began January 1, 1917, with Joseph R. Hall overseeing the steelwork for the smelter. The town was named after French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, who was serving his second term as France’s wartime leader during World War I. Situated on the Verde River’s southern banks, the settlement originally bore the name Verde.
The Arizona-Extension Railway was built to transport ore from Jerome, located five miles west. Population growth followed rapidly as workers and families arrived, with numbers fluctuating between 1,000 and 5,000 residents. Much like nearby Cottonwood, Clemenceau experienced a similar real estate boom as settlers and entrepreneurs were attracted to the area’s economic opportunities.
Life in the Shadow of the Smelter
If you’d lived in Clemenceau during its heyday, you’d have experienced the mining company’s tight grip on every aspect of your life, from your housing assignment to where you shopped and how you socialized.
You’d have watched as the smelter’s toxic emissions killed surrounding vegetation and created a barren landscape that posed constant health risks to your family and neighbors. The abandoned site still contains approximately 3 million tons of mining waste with no vegetation able to grow in the contaminated soil.
Despite these harsh realities, you might’ve found strength in community bonds formed through the Cottonwood Women’s Club and other grassroots efforts that provided relief during economic hardships and ultimately sustained the area’s identity beyond the company’s control. The Cottonwood Civic Center, completed in 1939, served as a testament to the Women’s Club organizing efforts to support those affected by the Clemenceau smelter closure.
Company Control Dominated
When the United Verde Extension Mining Company established Clemenceau in 1917, they created more than just a settlement—they engineered a tightly controlled company town where every aspect of residents’ lives fell under corporate oversight.
You couldn’t escape company governance—they owned your home, ran the stores where you shopped, and paid you in scrip that couldn’t be spent elsewhere. The company dictated social activities, controlled the school curriculum, and managed all town facilities.
Worker autonomy was virtually nonexistent. Your economic survival depended entirely on staying in good standing with company officials. Even routine decisions like housing assignments reflected your job status. Mining operations produced enormous amounts of toxic heavy metals that contaminated the surrounding environment. The town was built specifically to support the smelter that processed ore from the Little Daisy Mine, which James S. Douglas had purchased in 1912.
When the smelter finally closed in 1936, the company’s iron grip loosened, but by then, most residents had fled, leaving behind a ghost town that would gradually be absorbed into Cottonwood.
Environmental Devastation Persisted
The Clemenceau smelter cast a toxic shadow over the surrounding landscape that persists to this day. As you walk the area, you’re experiencing the aftermath of industrial operations that prioritized profit over environmental justice.
Heavy metals including arsenic, lead, and cadmium permeate soils up to 12 miles from the site, a silent legacy threatening community health decades after operations ceased.
Current concerns include:
- Contaminated soil persisting in residential areas where children play
- Potential long-term health impacts from decades of exposure to carcinogens
- Contested science around what constitutes “safe” levels of these toxins
- Ongoing battles for thorough testing and remediation
While modern air quality testing shows improvement, the battle for complete remediation continues as residents demand accountability for the invisible poisons left behind by a company that’s long since abandoned them. Recent air quality studies conducted by ADEQ found that the airborne lead levels at the VFW post near the slag pile were 0.1 µg/m³, approaching but still under the national standard. Today, Freeport McMoRan is finally addressing this historical contamination through a yard remediation program that includes replacing toxic soil with clean material that meets current safety standards.
Community Resilience Emerged
Despite the devastating closure of the Clemenceau smelter in 1936, community resilience quickly manifested through organized response networks that would ultimately transform the region.
You’d have witnessed the Cottonwood Women’s Club distributing food to struggling families while local fundraising efforts filled gaps left by departing mining companies.
When seeking independence from company control, residents found refuge in Old Town Cottonwood, establishing informal networks to share resources.
The Works Progress Administration provided critical support, employing locals to construct the Cottonwood Civic Center in 1939.
Families adapted economically by shifting to agriculture, ranching, and small businesses.
This community support fostered economic adaptation as residents leveraged existing skills for entrepreneurial ventures.
The preservation of this resilient heritage continues today at the Clemenceau Heritage Museum, housed in the former school building.
Economic Backbone: Mining Operations and Railroad Connections
If you’d visited Clemenceau during its heyday, you’d have witnessed an economy entirely dependent on the United Verde Extension Mining Company, which processed copper, gold, and silver extracted from Jerome District’s rich ore bodies discovered in 1914-1916.
The Arizona-Extension Railway‘s strategic two-branch system connected the smelter both to the Josephine Tunnel (accessing UVX Mine) and to Clarkdale, substantially reducing transportation costs that had previously limited regional mining profitability.
Mining companies wielded enormous influence over every aspect of local commerce, housing, and industry, creating a company town where economic fortunes rose and fell with the smelter’s operations until its closure in 1936.
Mining-Dependent Town Economy
Established in 1917 by James Douglas, Jr., the Clemenceau smelter formed the economic backbone of this company town, processing valuable copper, gold, and silver ores from the United Verde Extension Mine in nearby Jerome.
The mining companies exerted strict control over Clemenceau’s development, creating significant economic disparities between management and workers.
At its peak, you’d have witnessed:
- Population fluctuations between 1,000-5,000 residents
- Company oversight of housing, commerce, and social infrastructure
- The Arizona-Extension Railway delivering ore for processing
- Production of 2.5 tons of waste per ton of copper extracted
The operations at Clemenceau represented Arizona’s position as the second-largest producer of mineral commodities in the United States.
When the smelter closed on December 31, 1936, it triggered massive workforce changes, leaving many unemployed and sparking community relief efforts.
This decline continued until the 1950s when Phelps Dodge finally shuttered operations, marking the end of Clemenceau’s mining era.
Rail Transport Infrastructure
The Arizona-Extension Railway formed the critical transportation artery for Clemenceau’s economic survival, connecting the town’s smelter operations to both raw materials and outside markets. Built by James Douglas Jr., this strategic shortline operated two essential branches: the western line linked the smelter directly to the Josephine Tunnel for ore extraction, while the eastern branch connected to Clarkdale’s Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad network.
The rail logistics system featured specialized loading docks and sidings designed for efficient ore transportation between the UVX Mine and smelter facilities. This infrastructure dramatically reduced costs compared to animal-drawn transport methods, enabling continuous production despite labor tensions. Today, visitors to the Clemenceau Museum can explore the model railroad display representing these historic rail operations and eight other regional railroads.
Through this integrated rail network, Clemenceau maintained its economic viability, supporting a population that fluctuated between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
Company Control Impact
While rail infrastructure facilitated Clemenceau’s physical connections, company control formed the town’s underlying power structure. The United Verde Extension (UVX) smelter dominated every aspect of life from 1917 to 1937, creating profound economic dependency. James S. Douglas Jr.’s mining operation wasn’t just an employer—it was the town’s very foundation.
This company control manifested in four key ways:
- Complete oversight of commerce, employment, and housing
- Construction and management of essential community facilities including schools and banks
- Environmental transformation through 3 million tons of mining waste
- Creation of community vulnerability demonstrated when operations ceased
When the smelter closed in 1936-1937, the economic ripple effects were devastating. Without its economic backbone, Clemenceau faced mass unemployment, population exodus, and environmental legacy costs that would persist for decades.
The Contrast: Clemenceau vs. Old Town Cottonwood
As Jimmy Douglas established Clemenceau in 1917 near the intersection of Willard Street and Mingus Avenue, a stark contrast emerged between this highly regulated company town and its neighbor, Old Town Cottonwood, which had organically developed since 1879.
Clemenceau life revolved entirely around company rules and the smelter operations, with housing, commerce, and social activities all under company control.
Meanwhile, just a short distance away, Old Town independence flourished. Founded by Charles D. Willard and other settlers, Old Town became a haven for those escaping the restrictions of company towns.
Free spirits found sanctuary in Old Town, where independence thrived beyond the reach of company control.
While Clemenceau residents lived under constant oversight, Old Town attracted entrepreneurs, bootleggers, and free spirits who valued autonomy.
This fundamental difference shaped the communities’ characters—one planned and regulated, the other diverse and unrestricted.
The Great Decline: When the Smelter Closed
When the Clemenceau Smelter finally closed its doors on December 31, 1936, the economic heart of the community stopped beating.
Without the smelter operations that had employed hundreds, the town’s fate was sealed. The economic shifts were brutal and swift.
The aftermath was catastrophic:
- Population collapsed dramatically – Jerome shrinking from 8,000 to nearly zero
- Mass unemployment triggered widespread economic hardship
- No significant industrial replacement emerged to fill the void
- Most residents simply left with little reason to stay
Environmental Legacy of the Mining Era
Beyond the economic devastation left by the smelter’s closure, Clemenceau’s industrial past continues to impact the landscape in profound ways.
You’ll still see the slag piles and tailings in Cottonwood, silent monuments to the copper, gold, and silver processing that generated 2.5 tons of waste per ton of copper.
Recent ADEQ air monitoring from February to June near Kids’ Park and the VFW post showed particulate pollution levels below national averages, with low airborne heavy metals.
Still, residents worry about mining pollution and potential health impacts from arsenic, lead, and cadmium exposure.
Living in the shadow of industry’s past, locals fear invisible contaminants lurking in their soil, air and water.
Dr. Sina has petitioned the ATSDR for an environmental health investigation, though approval awaits further testing.
Remediation efforts now include innovative approaches using satellite and AI monitoring, with community involvement encouraged in managing this industrial legacy.
What Remains Today: Traces of Clemenceau in Modern Cottonwood
Three distinct remnants of Clemenceau’s ghost town past stand preserved within modern Cottonwood today. The Clemenceau Heritage Museum operates in the original 1924 schoolhouse, alongside the preserved 1918 bank and post office building, offering visitors tangible connections to this once-thriving company town.
Perhaps most striking is the massive slag pile, silently testifying to the smelter operations that ceased in 1937 and triggered the community’s decline.
- The museum showcases intricate model railroad displays of the nine historic train lines
- A meticulously restored 1920s classroom brings educational history to life
- The Clemenceau Water Company continues operating under Cottonwood’s management since 2004
- Historical exhibits highlight the area’s mining, ranching, and farming development
This Cottonwood integration preserved Clemenceau’s identity primarily through museum efforts rather than active town structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Clemenceau Ever Incorporated as an Official Town?
Like a ship without a captain, Clemenceau was never officially incorporated. Your mining community operated solely as a company town, with no documented incorporation history, until Cottonwood absorbed its town status in 1960.
What Notable People Lived in or Visited Clemenceau?
You’d encounter historical figures like James Cleator, Charles Willard, and James Douglas Jr. among Clemenceau’s residents. Famous visitors included French statesman Georges Clemenceau and aviation pioneer Jack Frye with his Lockheed Electra.
Were There Any Major Accidents or Disasters at the Smelter?
While you might think smelter explosions were rare, you’d face several incidents at Clemenceau. Fire outbreaks, mining accidents releasing toxic fumes, and equipment failures periodically endangered workers throughout its operational history.
What Cultural or Religious Institutions Existed in Clemenceau?
You’d find no documented church history in Clemenceau. Residents likely worshipped in nearby towns instead, though you could participate in community gatherings at the town’s school, clubhouse, and bank/post office building.
Did Clemenceau Have Any Unique Local Traditions or Celebrations?
Miners celebrated while smelter workers gathered—you’d find unique local festivals throughout Clemenceau’s calendar. Company-sponsored community gatherings, French-themed dinners, and railroad celebrations marked the town’s industrial rhythm and cultural identity.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clemenceau
- https://cottonwoodaz.gov/389/About-Cottonwood
- https://jerome.az.gov/jerome-then-and-now
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Clemenceau
- https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-arizona-ghost-town-gold-king-mine-2023-12
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/clemenceau.html
- https://clarkdalelodge.com/2022/09/06/clemenceau-heritage-museum/
- https://cottonwoodaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6852/2000-Historic-Commercial-Inventory-Survey-Report
- http://cottonwoodhotel.com/cottonwoodazhistory.html
- https://www.oldtown.org/communityresources.html
