Vulture City

GHOST TOWN

I recently went on an interesting and quite different photography excursion. I was accompanied by my friend and fellow photographer, Harv Emter from Canmore. Harv is visiting family in the Phoenix area and was able to join me on a visit to the Vulture City Ghost Town, near the town of Wickenburg, Arizona.

The Vulture Mine was a gold mine and settlement in Maricopa County Arizona. The mine began in 1863 and became the most productive gold mine in Arizona history. From 1863 to 1942, the mine produced 340,000 ounces (9,638.8 kgs) of gold and 260,000 ounces (7,370.9 kgs) of silver. The mine attracted more than 5,000 people to the area, and is credited with founding the town of Wickenburg, Arizona. The town that served the mine was known as Vulture City.

In 1942, the Vulture Mine was shut down by a regulatory agency for processing gold. This was a violation at the time because all resources were to be focused on the war effort. The mine appealed the shut-down order and reopened, but with less vigour. A few years later, the mine closed permanently.

Today the mine and ghost town are privately owned, but tours are available, offering a glimpse of the olden days, through a tour of some of the remaining buildings. Or you can simply wander around, as we did.

This first picture shows one of the many vehicles abandoned in and around the town. It reminds me of a couple of vehicles I owned in my younger days.

There are many old buildings and pieces of mining equipment located in the abandoned town of Vulture City. This vehicle (?) is parked in front of a building which was once a gas station.

Here’s another view of today’s second photograph, above. I include it to display the setting of this marvelous property and because I like the image.

Lastly, I include this aged truck, parked in front of the old Assay Office. I conclude it’s a 1930 vintage vehicle, based upon this ad for International’s “Seven for One”.

Harv likes night photography, a favourite of his is, “light painting”. I hope to share the fruits of our efforts my next post. I will explain the creation of the image, an interesting process with very cool results.