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Vulture Mine

By John Morphis

In December of '05, The API Investigative team conducted a tour of the Vulture Mine located northwest of Phoenix, just outside of Wickenburg, AZ. I would like to share my thoughts on this remarkable historic site.

The Vulture Mine in its heyday was the largest active goldmine in the US in the late 1800s to early 1900s. At that time there was no Wickenburg or Phoenix. Henry Wickenburg founded the site. The story goes that Wickenburg was hunting and either shot a vulture or found a vulture in the area and also found gold. That being said....the gold rush was on. Over the years as the the gold was mined, the town grew to about 5000 people. Located in a remote area of the desert, with no railway or major roadways in its time, one has to appreciate just how all of the extensive mining equipment and concrete structures were put into place without the modern conveniences that we now have to accomplish this type of grueling work.

For the most part, the town is still complete and upon touring the site one will find all the necessities required to accommodate the population that existed in the town at that time. There are two school houses, what is left of a saloon and mess hall, bunkhouses, the Assay office, Henry Wickenburg's personal house, a mill, the plant that was used in extracting the gold from the ore, and of course the mine itself. The mine and tunnels stretch some 30 miles underground and is over a half mile deep underground. Over the years, the water table has risen. It is only safe to go about 750 feet down into the mine without finding the water.

There are many stories surrounding the mine and events that took place there. The current Caretakers of the mine are very knowledgeable of the History and will gladly give you the nickel tour. During the mine's heyday, 13 people were hanged for stealing gold and the 'Hanging tree' is still on site. The mine was closed by an edict from Theodore Roosevelt and all the population was literally forced to leave overnight. Those early peoples founded what we now know as Wickenburg and Phoenix.

I recommend that anyone who has in interest in History and ghost towns pay this place a visit. It is a very unique piece of Arizona's history and will captivate you. As for Paranormal Activity in the area, it is definitely going on and can be experienced if you dare! JGM'06

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