Mining is important industry in Globe, Arizona, then and now

Globe, Arizona

Globe, Arizona, was founded in the mid 1870s as a mining town. It supposedly got its name from a globe-shaped piece of silver found there.

Silver was first discovered by prospectors in 1875 on the nearby San Carlos Apache Reservation. The vein was not a very good one, but then copper was found and the rest, as they say, is history. There are four copper mines and associated facilities in the Globe area today. Back then, the Old Dominion Copper Mine was one of the richest in the world. It closed in 1931, but you can learn more about it at the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park.

Globe was a rough and tumble frontier town during its early years. It had the usual lynchings, gunfights and stagecoach robberies, and was raided by its Apache neighbors.

Old Globe is located on a hill, with the new city stretching out before it. The historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places. Many historic buildings remain standing, including the Woolworth’s building, which was the last Woolworths west of the Mississippi River to close. The city’s high school, built in 1010, is the oldest high school in the state that it still being used by its original occupant. Another cool building is the Art Deco Globe Theatre with copper columns; the theatre has been restored following a fire in 2006.

Globe is the capital of Gila County.  Surrounded by mountains and Tonto National Forest, it is located on Highway 60 less than 90 miles west of Phoenix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Globe, Arizona, park features mining heritage, fitness trails

Raw copper ore

The old Dominion Historic Mine Park serves two purposes. One is to educate the public about the importance of mining in the Globe, Arizona, area. The other is to provide a series of fitness trails through the old mine site.

From 1880 to 1931, the Old Dominion Mine was a powerhouse in Globe’s copper mining industry, producing more than 765 million pounds of copper.

You’ll find pieces of old mining equipment scattered around the mine site. At the entrance, you’ll see a copper-studded boulder as well as a display of various types of rocks, each identified with a placard on the chain link fence.

Mining equipment on display

The park has trails for all levels of fitness. Non-motorized bicycles are allowed as well as wheelchairs and strollers.  The trails are not paved, just gravel and dirt. They are named for original mine claim owners at this location.

If you’re visiting on a hot summer day, be sure to have water with you. As you walk the trails, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes; I heard one in the bushes when we were there, but did not see it.

The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Operated by the City of Globe, there are restrooms at the entrance; picnic facilities are available.

The park is located on Highway 60 in Globe. Turn on Murray Street by DeMarco’s Pizza and go up the hill.

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