Vulture City, Arizona

The tragic story of Henry Wickenburg is an all-too-familiar one to the student of mining history. Wickenburg discovered the rich strike called Vulture in 1863. The success of the mine was instrumental in the development of central Arizona. Wickenburg sold his share, but was never paid the money owed him. In 1905, at the age of 85, a penniless Wickenburg took his own life with a Colt revolver. The mine closed in 1942, but Wickenburg's name lives on -- the nearby town was named after him.

Vulture City is located 13 miles southwest of Wickenburg on paved Vulture Mine Road. Many interesting buildings are left standing to explore. The site is private property, but the public is admitted for a small fee.