Sunday, October 25, 2015

Definition of Middle of Nowhere: (n) - Swansea Ghost Town, Parker AZ

Over the aqueduct and through the desert to the Swansea Townsite we go! 

On a long dirt road, just 30 miles outside of Parker, Arizona (in literally the middle of nowhere) sits an old copper mining town.  Archaeological and historical sites litter this once bustling boomtown and the Bureau of Land Management has done an excellent job restoring and protecting this massive and extinct townsite.

It’s no surprise that we were once again lured to an abandoned mining area full of mine shafts, artifacts and the residual smell of history and danger.

Swansea Townsite was a copper mining town that was settled around 1909. It’s one of the largest ghost towns we have visited so far. At the town’s peak (of about 750 residents), it boasted everything from a car dealership, a moving picture theater, lumber yard and an electric light company (in addition to the normal saloons, barbershops, cemeteries and restaurants). What a cutting edge town, to have their very own electric light company! As you walk the dusty “streets” of Swansea, it’s difficult to imagine a car dealership out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by open mine shafts.

What a journey this copper went on after being mined from the earth. It took a train ride along the Colorado River and ended up on a boat down the Gulf Coast, around Cape Horn to Swansea, Wales (hence the namesake)! That’s over 4,900 miles…….

The townsite sits surrounded by large mountain ranges in every direction. It’s even a steep, curvy and hairy drive into the townsite (so we don’t recommend going when it’s been raining, or with a trailer or large RV). Once nestled into the town, you can’t help but feel safe and thousands of miles away from anyone and anything.

At the entrance to the town, BLM has a kiosk with flyers, maps, historical photos and information as well as pit toilets. We could have spent days wandering and exploring the historical gems hidden within Swansea, and particularly appreciated the massive mine shafts, finding portions of the old railroad and the ramshackled brick buildings from long ago. The old copper mining town still has evidence of the massive copper smelter and dust chamber, which was a rather large and impressive brick building. Due to recent toppling walls and bricks, the building has been fenced off, but you can’t miss the undeniable presence this building had in the town.

The mine shafts are all covered for safety purposes. These heavy duty safety measures allow you to walk over and around the shafts safely, while eerily peering down these deep black holes.

There is an interpretive trail, hiking trails, picnic spots and ATV trails in the area. The interpretive trail takes you through the worker’s cottages, general office, company store, company residences, railroad depot, manager’s house, copper smelter and dust chamber, the hospital and school site along with rusted old cars and magnificent views.


Just like all the ghost towns we have visited, Swansea fell victim to the Great Depression and the last milling was reported in 1944. Today, Swansea gives us glimpse back to our past as well as a reminder at how wild the west really was. 

Although there are a handful of small campsites in Swansea, Totally Trailer does not recommend any large RV's or trailers due to the hairy roads getting into the townsite. The campgrounds at Swansea are perfect for small vans or tent camping only. It's a fun day trip and beautiful drive in from Parker, AZ. We recommend parking your RV or camper in nearby Parker.



Here is our short video on the Swansea Ghost Town


BLM Swansea Townsite Parker Arizona kiosk pit toilets
Welcome Kiosk and pit toilets


dust chamber copper smelter ghost town Arizona abandoned building
The remains of the copper smelter and dust chamber


Swansea workers cottages sunset ghost town Arizona
Sunset in Swansea was eerie and exciting at the same time! Standing on a mine shaft looking back at the worker's cottages and enjoying the sunset


1917 mining cottages Arizona ghost town Swansea
Interpretive plaque for the Worker's Cottages from 1917


rusted truck in desert Arizona Swansea
This old rusted guy had so much personality, he looked like he belonged in the Disney movie Cars!


covered mine pit and Arizona views exploring Swansea Ghost Town
Standing on a giant mine pit and enjoying the expansive view of nothing-ness


inside adobe mine cottage from ghost town mining era Swansea Arizona
Inside one of the worker's cottages. It was said that there were 6-8 people in each cottage- hard to imagine in that tiny space.


interpretive trail at Swansea Arizona looking at copper smelter collapse
Interpretive trail guide and railroad tie steps make for an easy hike around the townsite


old copper mining town Parker Arizona abandoned ghost town
Hubby admiring the view and imagining a once bustling copper town


Swansea Townsite Arizona 1918
Look back at the previous picture and you can get an idea of how big this town was


abandoned ghost town mining brick building Arizona
Massive brick building and dust chamber dwarfs us


pile of bricks from earthquake collapse at Swansea Ghost Town
A wall recently collapsed and left this pile of bricks and rubble


mining town abandoned building Arizona desert ghost town
Over time, walls are collapsing and succumbing to the harsh climate


Swansea Railroad 1910 ruins
Once a busy railroad line carrying copper ore. The first train arrived here on the Swansea Railroad in 1910


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