Harquahala Mine, Arizona - Ghost Towns of Arizona and Surrounding States

Mining Ruins, Salome, Arizona

Harquahala Mine
The 5 mile drive to the Harquahala Mine wasn’t bad when coming from Interstate 10 on Harquahala rd. A two wheel drive medium clearance vehicle will get you there on this route. Once there the two building are still standing but in poor shape with the cemetery a mile or so up the road. Most if not all graves have unmarked wooden markers and one large cement enclosure missing its plaque. If you come in from the town of Salome, I’m sure the drive is much smoother since a man drove his 1920s model T there to show his grandchildren the cemetery.

History:
Spanish explorers in the Harquahala Mountains discovered gold in the 1760’s. Attempts to recover the gold deemed unsuccessful at that time, then once again failure in 1814.

Pima Indians were hostile and drive off the prospectors during that era. In 1863 Herman Ehrenburg discussed with Henry Wickenburg that he had found a promising location in the Little Harquahala Mountains. After Wickenburg explored the area he agreed it had potential for riches. Wickenburg upon his return trip from Little Harquahalas, discovered an even richer vain "The Vulture Mine" and Henry Wickenburg forgot all about Little Harquahala potential. The mine stayed in operation off and on up until 1907.