Gabby

Stanton, Arizona

I've met some strange characters in my ghost town travels, but this feller was one of the strangest. The name tag on his hat said "Gabby," but he sure wasn't much of a talker. He just sat there on the front porch of the old stage station, staring into the distance with those creepy blue eyes. After a while I realized he wouldn't answer my questions about the history of the building, so I had to read the sign:

STAGE STOP AND SALOON

CHARLES P. STANTON, OWNER

HISTORICAL SITE

This is the original stage stop owned by Charlie P. Stanton, the illegitimate son of an Irish lord and a University of Dublin graduate. Once the richest man in Arizona. Shot by the Lucero Brothers in this building November 13, 1886.

Directions: The turnoff to the town of Stanton is 2 miles northeast of Congress, Arizona, on Highway 89; a graded dirt road passable to a passenger car leads another 6 miles to the townsite. At the time of my visit (November 2007), the townsite was open to the public during daylight hours. No entrance fee is charged, but visitors must register. The Lost Dutchman's Mining Association operates the town as an active RV park; please respect the privacy of the residents.

Last visited: November 2007.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.