Ghost Towns, Gunfights, and Good Old Arizona
by John Scott on Feb. 08, 2012, under UncategorizedWelcome to my blog, Revisiting Arizona’s Old West. Within the confines of this online journal, I intend to explore, experience, educate, and enjoy the rich history contained in our state’s frontier era. I might even come up with another “e” word. If so, I’ll let you know.
A little bit about myself: I am an Old West enthusiast, living historian, reenactor, and intrepid researcher. I attend many history-themed events across Arizona and explore areas of interest to immerse myself in its rich history. Haven’t we all all taken our visiting friends and family to see the gunfights at Old Tucson, Pinnacle Peak, or Tombstone? Sure, we enjoyed the shootouts, laughed at the campy stuff. Maybe even walked away with a little lesson in history.
Well…I want to give you more.
In Arizona we have mining towns that are still producing after 120 years, and the history they hold is terrific. There are wonderful ghost towns that dot our landscape, rich in history of a rough era when settlers were beginning a new life. Last month in a long dead town seemingly lost to the elements, I spotted a rivet from a pair of Levi jeans. After photographing it and doing a little research, I uncovered its date to be around 1885. To me, that’s exciting stuff. Some miner lost a rivet holding his pants together, or maybe he lost his pants…which is a tad more interesting. We probably will never know, but it opens up our imagination.
Documentation from the Old West always seems to be scarce when I want to research something. However, I promise to do my best to present all the lore I can find on a subject, and in many instances will visit the areas to provide you descriptions and photos.
I sincerely hope you join me on this blog while I explore more of this great state’s Old West history. I expect that we’ll learn a lot, and have a ball doing it!
