You’ll find Tiger, Arizona as a ghost town with roots in an 1881 gold mining settlement originally called Schultz. It transformed into a copper mining hub after World War I, reaching its peak population of 1,800 in the early 1950s. The community declined when ore quality deteriorated, with the post office closing in 1954. Today, only scattered rubble remains as the desert reclaims this piece of Arizona’s boom-and-bust mining heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Tiger began as a mining settlement called Schultz in 1881, changing its name after World War I due to new mining operations.
- The town peaked at 1,800 residents in the early 1950s before declining rapidly as copper ore quality deteriorated.
- The Pine Grove-Tiger District produced approximately 130,275 ounces of gold by 1959.
- Tiger’s post office closed in 1954, marking a definitive sign of the community’s abandonment.
- Today, only scattered rubble remains, with desert vegetation reclaiming the former mining town’s location.
From Schultz to Tiger: The Mining Town’s Origin Story
When prospectors discovered gold in 1881 in what would become the Mammoth Mine, they established a small settlement called Schultz (sometimes spelled Schulz). The community grew around this promising gold deposit, despite the challenge of local water scarcity.
You’d find miners hauling ore four miles to a mill near the San Pedro River in Mammoth for processing. Like many Arizona towns founded near mining activity, Tiger’s existence was directly tied to the commercial value of its mineral deposits.
The Schultz settlement thrived as the heart of mining operations in the district, establishing a post office by 1894.
After World War I, the town underwent a significant name change to Tiger, reflecting shifts in mine ownership and renewed mining focus. This change marked a new chapter in the area’s mining heritage.
Tiger eventually grew to house approximately 1,800 residents during its peak years before its eventual decline and was ultimately bulldozed completely by operators of the San Manuel Mine to access valuable minerals below.
World War I Revival and the Gold Rush Renaissance
The revival of Tiger’s mining operations coincided with the global demands of World War I, transforming the once-declining settlement into a bustling hub of activity once again.
After a 17-year hiatus following its 1902 closure, the mines reopened in response to critical mineral scarcity during the conflict. Wartime innovation and military production needs drove demand for trace elements found in Tiger’s rich deposits.
This renaissance continued until 1919, sparking substantial economic transformation. Shortly after the war’s conclusion, investors purchased the town, officially changing its name from Schultz to Tiger. This pattern of economic fluctuations mirrored other mining towns like Arizona City, which also experienced boom and bust cycles throughout their histories.
The economic momentum continued into the post-war period, eventually leading to the establishment of a new post office in March 1939. Mining infrastructure improvements attracted newcomers, laying the foundation for Tiger’s population boom that would peak at 1,800 residents in the early 1950s, comparable to Ray’s population height during the same period.
Boom Years: Life in a 1950s Arizona Mining Community
Tiger’s boom years reached their zenith in the early 1950s, when the mining community’s population swelled to approximately 1,800 residents. Life revolved entirely around the American Smelting and Refining Co.’s operations, with your daily schedule dictated by mining shifts and labor demands.
Life orbited the mines, with time measured in shifts rather than hours, your existence synchronized to company demands.
You’d find stark community dynamics at play – housing was basic and temporary, while social gatherings centered around the post office and general stores. Mexican workers faced significant discrimination, barred from skilled positions despite their essential contributions to the workforce. Like other mining towns in the Tiger in Yavapai County area, silver mining was a significant economic driver for the community. The district contributed significantly to regional mineral wealth, with the Pine Grove-Tiger District producing approximately 130,275 ounces of gold through 1959.
Labor challenges were constant. You’d work long hours underground facing hazardous conditions with minimal safety standards. Employment remained cyclical and uncertain, tied to ore availability and market demands.
Women primarily maintained domestic roles while men endured the mining’s physical toll. Despite these hardships, residents forged tight bonds through mutual support in their isolated mountain setting.
The Final Chapter: How Tiger Became a Ghost Town
Despite years of profitable operation, Tiger’s decline began abruptly in the early 1950s as copper ore quality deteriorated and extraction costs skyrocketed.
The last major mining operations ceased by mid-decade, triggering severe economic decline throughout the area. In 1954, the post office closed—a definitive sign of Tiger’s demise.
Without mining jobs, residents fled. Similar to Jerome’s fate after 1953 when its mining operations ended, Tiger experienced a mass exodus of its population. The population plummeted from its 1,800 peak as families sought work elsewhere, leading to community fragmentation.
Unlike Jerome, Tiger never experienced a cultural renaissance with artists and creative individuals moving in to revitalize the abandoned structures.
Businesses shuttered, schools emptied, and property values collapsed. Once-vibrant community gatherings ceased entirely.
What Remains: Exploring Tiger’s Legacy Today
Unlike many Western ghost towns that maintain partial structures or restored buildings, today’s visitors to Tiger will find virtually nothing of the once-thriving mining community.
You’ll encounter only scattered rubble, loose rock foundations, and desert vegetation reclaiming the landscape where miners once sought their fortunes.
While the physical remnants are minimal, Tiger’s historical significance persists through official ghost town inventories and regional guides.
The site remains accessible via unpaved desert roads, though you won’t find interpretive signage or visitor facilities.
What endures most strongly is Tiger’s place in cultural memory—its story continues in historical research, photographs, and written accounts.
Despite its barren state, Tiger contributes to our understanding of Arizona’s mining heritage, a reflection of the boom-and-bust cycle that shaped the American West.
Like many sites throughout the state, Tiger stands as a testament to Arizona having one of the highest numbers of ghost towns in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Owned the Copper Company That Demolished Tiger?
San Manuel Copper Company demolished Tiger during their copper mining expansion. They’d later merge into BHP Billiton, with Freeport-McMoRan eventually acquiring the property, changing the town’s history forever.
What Happened to the Residents After Tiger Closed Down?
While some might assume a coordinated exodus, residents’ fate varied drastically. You’ll find they scattered primarily to Mammoth, San Manuel, and Oracle following Tiger’s 1954 closure, with the community impact rippling throughout the region.
Were Any Significant Archaeological Artifacts Recovered From Tiger?
No significant archaeological artifacts have been documented from Tiger. You won’t find notable historical significance in recovered findings, though mining equipment remains represent the town’s industrial rather than prehistoric past.
Did Any Famous People Come From Tiger, Arizona?
Lightning rarely strikes twice. You won’t find famous residents in Tiger’s historical significance records. The available documentation focuses exclusively on mining operations rather than notable individuals from this short-lived settlement.
How Did the Aerial Tramway’s Engineering Compare to Others?
Tiger’s tramway shared common aerial tramway design elements with other Western systems, but you’d notice its unique engineering challenges from extreme terrain requiring longer spans and specialized tension management.
References
- https://azgw.org/pinal/ghosttowns.html
- https://azgw.org/yavapai/ghosttowns.html
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/tigerp.html
- https://janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/category/arizona-ghost-towns/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Tiger
- https://www.oakrocks.net/blog/mining-towns-of-arizona-part-1-active-towns/
- https://www.mindat.org/loc-16802.html
- https://www.mindat.org/loc-21610.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLnetfVjYc
