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Chloride is a living ghost town in northwest Arizona. It’s considered the oldest continuously inhabited mining town in the entire state.
History of Chloride, Arizona
Mining began in the area in the 1840s, when silver, gold, lead, zinc, and turquoise were discovered. The town was founded in 1863 and named after the silver chloride mines, but widespread mining didn’t begin until the 1870s after a treaty was signed with the Hualapai Indians.
The Arizona and Utah Railway, running between Chloride and Kingman, opened on August 16, 1899. The town eventually grew to around 5,000 people and over 75 working mines. It also became the seat of Mohave County.
By 1917, however, the population dipped to 2,000, and by 1944 it was nearly a ghost town. There are currently around 220 people living there, according to the 2020 census. Today, it’s full of fun kitschy places, some antique shops, art galleries, and a few restaurants. Check the town website for more info and the official calendar to see what’s on.
Mineshaft Market
Our first stop was the Mineshaft Market and Arizona Visitor Center, where we picked up a map of town and learned what to see and do. It’s open daily.
US Post Office
The US Post Office is a few steps across the street from the Mineshaft Market. It’s the oldest continuously operating post office in Arizona. The post office opened in 1873, closed for a short time, and reopened in 1893. It changed locations at least five times since. If you look closely it has a pool rack above the door, indicating that the building once functioned as a pool hall.
Cyanide Springs
Cyanide Springs, a replica Wild West town, is in the center of Chloride. It was built by locals using wood from the Golconda Mine and is operated by the Chloride Historical Society. Four cabins were actually miners’ cabins and housed the families of miners.
Among the buildings represented are a jail, sheriff’s office, bank, saloon, church, and a doctor sharing an office with the undertaker. Other buildings are functioning shops that provide income to the Chloride Historical Society.
Gunfight at Cyanide Springs
During our visit, there was a gunfight reenactment taking place, so we sat down with the rest of the crowd to enjoy an entertaining performance by the locals. The gunfights “break out” most Saturdays at high noon during tourist season, and they’re free to watch (as of October 2025).
Jim Fritz Museum
The Jim Fritz Museum is located at Cyanide Springs. It’s run by the Chloride Historical Society and typically open the first and third Saturdays of each month from 11am to 1pm. It displays artifacts from Chloride’s past, some dating back to the 1880s. Admission is free but donations are encouraged (as of October 2025).
The museum is named for Jim Fritz, whose home was added to the townsite after his death at the age of 95. Fritz and his sister used to feed the miners from their small kitchen.
Chloride Baptist Church
Just south of Cyanide Springs is the Chloride Baptist Church. There were once six churches in town, but this is the only one that remains. It was founded in 1891 as a Methodist Episcopal church and became a Presbyterian church in 1902. The current building was constructed under Pastor Franklin Day in 1916, and it has been a Baptist church since 1947. It’s the oldest continuously operating church in Arizona.
Other Sights in Chloride, Arizona
The town hall is across the street from the Chloride Baptist Church while the Chloride Chamber of Commerce is attached to the Mineshaft Market. A block west of the post office is the old gas station, and a block north you can find the historic train depot. The old jail is also nearby, and you can also see several rustic wooden homes.
Coming into town you’ll see the Chloride Cemetery which dates back to at least 1904. 1 ½ miles east of town you’ll find murals originally painted in 1966 by Roy Purcell (b. 1936). He repainted them in the 1980s with his son and again in 2005 with his family. There are also several abandoned mines in the area. Please be aware it’s never safe to enter one of the mines.
Where to Eat in Chloride, Arizona
We popped into one restaurant for lunch.
Digger Dave’s (Permanently Closed)
We ate at Digger Dave’s, which is a place with a lot of character. I had a great burger and the staff is fun and friendly.
