Today we choose to explore Jerome, Old Town Cottonwood, and Camp Verde, AZ. Everyone of these places provided an excellent stop!
You can see Jerome from Cottonwood. It’s perched up on the mountainside or cliffside, if you will. And although we climbed a couple thousand feet in elevation – it looks like it’s just right “there” from the highway! You would never imagine that you’ve climbed that much elevation.
The town is literally built on the side/top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet up) between Prescott and Flagstaff. It’s a historic copper mining town. Also known as the most Vertical Town in America!
According to AZJerome.com the town was built on a 30% incline! It is interesting (in a weird way) to see gravity has taken a hold on some of the old buildings (like sheds and stuff) and sent them straight down the mountain. I also saw a couple vehicles in the canyon. I hope no one was inside when they went over. Looked like they’d been there for many years. Maybe they were in insurance jobs? Who knows? These hills hold lots of secrets!
You can see Jerome (way in the distance) from Cottonwood and Camp Verde. The surprising thing for us was it didn’t seem that we’d climbed 2,000 ft. in elevation.
You’ll first see the Welcome Center and a Museum. We opted out of the Museum tour but did look around for a good bit before heading on up the “hill” to town. The picture below is actually the original Douglas Mansion (the folks that owned the mine). That is now a Welcome Center.
Onto the town now…..
It’s a touristy place, no doubt. That’s what the town thrives on now. So, yes, there are a lot of wineries, wine tastings, bistro’s, gift shops, etc. But parking is very limited and the city is YES – built vertical! Be sure and look up when you here! There will be a restaurant above another one!
Oh! But before we go – let’s look at the 1900′ mine shaft!
I’m saving Old Town Cottonwood for a post all of it’s own because we ran into the most amazing place/person ever. Maybe he’s just a character or maybe he’s for real – but his place and creation got my heart!