History of Swansea, Arizona
Swansea, Arizona, was founded in 1908 as a mining town named after Swansea, Wales, a region with a long history of mining. The town was located in La Paz County, one of Arizona’s largest copper mining towns. The mining boom began in the late 19th century, and as copper demand grew, mining companies sought to expand operations. Swansea was one of the many mining towns that emerged during this period.
The town was situated in an arid region, and water was scarce. The mining companies built a 22-mile-long aqueduct to bring water from the Bill Williams River to the town, allowing residents to access clean water. The town grew rapidly, with thousands of people moving to Swansea to work in the mines. By the 1920s, the town had a population of over 5,000 people.
The Great Depression hit the mining industry hard, and many of the mines in Swansea closed. By the 1950s, the town was mostly abandoned, and only a few residents remained. Today, Swansea is a ghost town and little remains of the once-thriving mining community. The ruins of the town’s buildings and mining equipment are now a popular destination for tourists interested in Arizona’s mining history.
Despite its short-lived history, Swansea played an important role in the development of Arizona’s mining industry. The town’s mining operations contributed significantly to the state’s economy, and its legacy lives on through the many artifacts and ruins that remain today. Swansea’s story is a reminder of the boom and bust cycles common in the mining industry and their impact on communities.
Know Before You Go
- Region: Southwest United States
- Location: Outside of Quartzsite AZ
- Coordinates: 34.21467838373808, -113.84508774350071
- Costs: No Fees or Permits are Required
- Schedule: Open 24/7 (would be very careful at night)
- Attraction Type: Ghost Town / Abandoned Mine
My Visit to Swansea
Many of my Arizona adventures happened with Scott and his now-wife Jen. Scott is a walking and talking encyclopedia of outdoorsy, history, and overall general knowledge about Arizona. His personal history with the state and with the conservation of wild places is incredibly interesting. One of these topics happens to be Arizona points of interest and off-the-road places. This particular trip started out with Scott sending me a pinned location in the middle of the desert outside of Phoenix on the way to Quartzsite. During this trip, we visited quite a few off-the-beaten-path desert attractions that I was honored to be shown, and I had a fantastic time with them. I met them after work in a remote area, and we set up camp for the evening. The next morning the desert was glowing with a beautiful clear morning. Breakfast and coffee were prepared, and we set off into the desert.
The camp was packed up, and we hit the road. One thing to know about Scott is he owns a silver Subaru that has been all over and back again. His biggest accomplishment to date is that he has visited all 424 National Park units. We hit the road, and I followed the little grey Forrester into the dusty beyond. He did not provide much information other than we were headed to an old town, and it was going to be a dusty drive. I am not sure if Scott enjoys the surprise factor or watching people enjoy places he likes for the first time, but deep down, I honestly feel it is a little of both.
We arrived at Swansea, driving down a beautiful but windy road into the valley from the mountains above. There was a sign with historical facts and information about the town at the entrance. We descended into the desolate town and began wandering around. I have never understood my fascination with these places other than the idea of what was and how people endured such lifestyles that feeds the imagination and my adventurous spirit within. We walked through old foundations and empty shells of buildings. Evidence of a life once lived strewn all around the down. One of my favorite items was an old stove and oven rotting away in the elements.
After spending a couple of hours wandering around, it was time to depart for our next stop. I’m collecting these memories of visiting old places as if they were trading cards, but instead of reading the backs of the cards, I get to thoroughly enjoy his oral history of things from my friend Scott. I could listen to him speak about these fantastic places forever and his stories as many.
Photos From My Visit
