Discover Jerome through several different lenses: the history of copper mining, the communities represented in museum exhibits, a long-standing art scene and views across the Verde Valley. This lets you decide whether to focus on technical history, cultural perspectives, art or landscape.
Mining History and Engineering Milestones
The first mining claims and a mill site near present-day Jerome were established in 1875. They lay at the foot of two large, conical hills later named Cleopatra Hill and Woodchute Mountain. This grounds Jerome’s early mining history in a specific place and a landscape you can easily picture.
Another landmark is the small smelter, which produced nearly one million dollars’ worth of copper and is now on display in Jerome. The Audrey Shaft and Audrey Headframe represent another scale of mining. During the operating years of the United Verde Extension (UVX) Company, they were the largest facility of their kind. Built in 1918, they became economically viable after an exceptionally rich copper deposit was discovered.
From 1919 to 1938, more than 3.6 million tons of ore were hoisted through the headframe. This yielded 320,000 tons of copper, 190 tons of silver and 5.3 tons of gold. The figures describe different quantities: the 3.6 million tons refers to the ore hoisted, while the other amounts refer to the metals recovered from it.
The Mine Museum: Work and Communities
The Mine Museum traces Jerome’s history from the past to the present. Exhibits include old mining equipment and remnants of gambling in saloons. Its themes therefore extend beyond mining itself. The museum also features exhibits about Jerome’s Chinese population, as well as its Italian, Slavic, Mexican, Irish and Russian communities. Visitors interested in the social history of a mining town will find stories of different communities alongside technical artifacts.
Art Scene and Historic Architecture
Jerome has nurtured its connection to art since the Verde Valley Art Association was founded in the early 1950s, and it remains known for a lively, diverse art scene. At Jerome Art Park, visitors can buy handmade jewelry, pottery, textiles and other works of art. This brings together two aspects of the art story: the town’s longstanding cultural connection and a specific selection of crafts.
Jerome State Historic Park centers on a museum housed in a mansion. James Douglas had the house built in 1916 above the Little Daisy Mine; it initially also served as a hotel for visiting mining executives. This former role as a hotel is part of the town’s history and complements the evidence of shafts and smelters with a building that has its own connection to mining.
Views Across the Verde Valley
One of Jerome’s major attractions is the view from around 5,000 feet above sea level across the Verde Valley and the spectacular red cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. The San Francisco Peaks, about 13,000 feet high and roughly 50 miles to the north, rise above the cliffs. Views of the valley, cliffs and mountain backdrop add a landscape-focused dimension to the town’s technical and cultural themes. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip: focus on local history and exhibits, or take in the sweeping surroundings.
Explore more destinations: Ash Fork, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Seligman, Lake Montezuma, Clarkdale, Prescott, Prescott Valley
For the regional travel overview: Yavapai.
