Blog Date: 3/14/2022
Date Visited: 2/19/2022
Location: Arizona SR71 between mile markers 89 and 90 (near Aguila, AZ).
Note: This location is under new management and this website may change
All content is © 2022, Larry Nader & Larry Nader Photography & Art
Sitting about 20-miles west of Wickenburg and nestled in a canyon surrounded by saguaro-covered mountains & hills, lies possibly the best-preserved mining claims in the state of Arizona. Today it's called Robson’s Arizona Mining World, but this gold mining camp was first founded as the Gold Leaf Mine in 1917 by the Wesley Rush family who operated a large ranch in nearby Aguila, Arizona.
A short seven years later, the mine would change ownership to Ned Creighton, who renamed the mine the Nella-Meda Mine after Rush's daughters, Nellie and Alameda. The mine would only be in operation for less than another 20-years until the US government closed all gold mines in the US in 1942 to focus on metals necessary for the war effort.
With the closure of gold mines, the government placed its effort in the production of iron, copper, and other various metals that were necessary to build planes, ships, tanks, bullets, etc. The gold mines were also forced to cease operations in order to increase human resources in the military, with many of the mine's workers being forced to join the military after jobs were lost in the mines.
With the closure of its mining operations, the Nella-Meda Mine would be placed in the hands of one of the site’s mining engineers, Harold Mason, who maintained the property for the owners before eventually being deeded the mine.
Several years later, enter Charles Robson, who was building his fortune following the war by farming and operating the Saguaro motel in Aguila, in addition to promoting the health benefits of his local bee pollen. At some point, Robson became acquainted with Mason who eventually allowed the Aguila businessman to place beehives at the mine. It turned out that there were minerals around the mine that made the bee pollen even more exceptional, and, in return, the bees deterred poachers. That partnership lasted until 1979 when Robson bought the mine from the aging caretaker.
A mere one-year later in 1980, Charles and his wife Jeri began the painstaking task of restoring fourteen original buildings surrounding the mine. Eventually, old buildings were moved to this location from other locations throughout the southwest and new buildings were constructed to look old. Robson also purchased many pieces of antique equipment and artifacts to help display the history of mining in the old west.
In 1992, Litcsh’s Boarding House, named in honor of Robson's mother whose maiden name was Litsch. was built as a place for visitors to stay on the site to take in the area's beauty and amazing scenic views. The new boarding house was built at the same location as the mine's original boarding house. In the early 2000s, there was a fire that started on the upper floor destroyed the 26-room building. Personally, I was completely bummed out to hear about this as I would have jumped at the chance to stay on the site for a day or two to photograph local flora and fauna in addition to some amazing night photography as there is next to no city lighting to pollute the night sky.
After Charles Robson passed in 2002, his wife Jeri carried on her late husband's mission. Jeri herself was aging and, near the end of her life, sold the Mining World to Western Destinations Corporation in 2009 with the stipulation that nothing would ever leave the property. Western Destinations sold it in 2021 to the new owner who has been putting together his plan to continue the mission started by the Robsons.
In talking with the Mining World’s caretakers during our visit here, we were also told of a few ghost experiences that have been witnessed by several visitors that stayed at the property. Given how rough and violent these mining camps could be, there is a strong possibility that some of the people who died there during its heyday may still be hanging around, for you paranormal fans out there.
In addition to the Mining World town tour, you may want to take a bit of time and make the hike beyond the encampment and through the canyon to an old Indian battleground area with several well-preserved petroglyphs. This trek is about 3-miles round trip and will give you some amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
When driving to Robson’s Arizona Mining World you would be well advised to use your GPS to help you spot the turnoff from SR71 as there is nothing else in this remote area. However, if you don’t use your GPS, be sure to look for the roadside sign shown below to make your turn onto the old desert dirt road. Arizona Mining World is a mile north of the main road.
Personally, I think this is definitely one of the best ghost towns that I have been to. It's not a tourist trap like many others. Currently, Arizona Mining World does not have food or beverages available for purchase, so bring your lunch and picnic at the site and be sure to bring plenty of water with you, especially if you plan to hike to the petroglyphs. Arizona Mining World is definitely high on my recommendation list as far as ghost towns and mining camps go, and I will be back to shoot some night photography here at some point. Robson's Arizona Mining World is definitely a fun place to visit for adults and children alike.
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