An abandoned gold mine called “Vulture” and situated in the Arizona desert sounds like the setting of a Western movie, but the Vulture Gold mine in Wickenburg is a real, live, and well-preserved slice of the Old West. Although it shut down in 1942, the gold mine still draws quite a few visitors a year, mainly people from two distinct groups: ghost hunters and Old West fanatics. The Vulture Mine makes both groups happy with its colorful and spooky history.
The History of the Vulture Gold Mine
Arizona has a rich mining history. Copper, lead, uranium, molybdenum, and of course gold have been discovered and mined in the state since the 1800’s. The Vulture Gold Mine opened in 1863, during the sweep of gold fever across the country. During the 80 years it was in operation, it produced 340,000 ounces of gold. If that amount of gold was discovered today, would be worth over 392 million dollars!
Despite the mine’s success, there was trouble. It was the Old West after all, so Old West-type things happened, like water shortages, murders, mine collapses, and a lot of stealing. So much was stolen from the Vulture Mine that even the mine itself was stolen more than once. The mine closed in 1942, but the rumors about a significant amount of remaining gold that’s ripe for the picking persist.
Is It Haunted?
A lot of people seem to think so, including the crew of “Ghost Adventures,” who filmed an episode of the show there in 2010. The crew heard and saw a nearby piano playing all by itself, and also encountered what they thought was a child’s spirit. Here’s the video of the piano playing: it’s really creepy! Other amateur ghost hunters have reported strange happenings at the mine, and consider the mine’s violent and scandalous history as the culprit for the disturbed spirits.
If you want to tour the Vulture Mine, visit www.vultureminetours.com/ for more information, and if you need professional delivery services in the state of Arizona, contact Xcel Delivery! We offer same day delivery services for businesses who expect reliable and friendly service. Call us at 520-408-7200 for more information about our professional delivery services.
This article is part of a series on Arizona’s Amazing Roadside Attractions
