Haunted Arizona: Exploring Pearce, Courtland, and Gleeson on the Ghost Town Trail
Published 2024-07-22
Pearce: In the heart of the wild and dusty state of Arizona, where the sun scorches the earth and the stars light up the vast desert sky, lies the storied town of Pearce. A place where fortunes were dug from the rugged mountains and tales as rich as the ore that ran through the saloons like whiskey. James Pearce, a miner whose veins coursed with hope and determination, struck gold and birthed a town that bore his name. His discovery at the Commonwealth Mine wasn't just a vein of precious metal; it was the lifeblood of a community that would thrive in the shadow of Six Mile Hill.
The Bignons, proprietors of the famed Bird Cage Theater, brought a touch of drama and a flair for the theatrical to this dusty enclave. Big Minnie, a towering figure of strength and beauty, left her mark not just on the stage, but in the hearts of those who laid her to rest in the local cemetery. And let's not forget the likes of Burt Alvord, the lawman whose badge shone under the Arizona sun, and Daniel Barringer, a man whose keen eye for geology helped cement Pearce's place in the annals of mining history.
Courtland: Next, we venture to Courtland, a fleeting boomtown that sprang to life in the early 1900s. Encouraged by high-grade copper findings, big companies sank shaft after shaft at a fever pitch. The population swelled to 2,000, and the town boasted a newspaper, movie theater, ice-cream parlor, and auto dealership. But when the ore pinched out, the mines closed, and the desert reclaimed the town. Today, the Courtland jail stands as a solitary sentinel, a reminder of the town's brief but vibrant existence.
Gleeson: Our final stop is Gleeson, once home to the Chiricahua Apache tribe that mined turquoise for jewelry and trade. When John Gleeson discovered a large copper deposit, the town boomed. Today, the restored Gleeson Jail serves as a museum, housing artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story of this once-thriving community.
Ghostly Experiences: As we explored these ghost towns, we encountered more than just historical remnants. Our video equipment captured unexplained phenomena that left us questioning the boundaries between the past and the present. From eerie sounds to mysterious shadows, our journey along the Ghost Town Trail was filled with spine-chilling moments that you won't want to miss.
Join us as we uncover the secrets of Pearce, Courtland, and Gleeson, and experience the thrill of the unknown. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to Jack's Arizona Adventures for more journeys into the heart of the Grand Canyon State. Until next time, keep exploring!
All Comments (2)
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Had a cool experience in a AirBNB in Pioche, Nv. Which is known to be one of the most haunted towns in Nv. In the middle of the night our bedroom closet light turned on. It was the old type switches that makes a click when you turn it on, which is what woke me up. My girlfriend was not a believer and passed it off as a fluke so she got out of bed to go turn it off and as she was 2 steps from grabbing the door handle the switch clicked off on the inside of the closet turning the light back off.
