Discovered in 1863 by the Austrian Henry Wickenburg, Vulture Mine was the largest producing gold mine in the history of Arizona. Today you can visit the ghost town and explore this witness of the past on a self-guided tour. Guided group tours may be scheduled, as well as camping and trailer-park reservations.
Follow the trail to the Assay Office built in 1884 out of ore from the mine. It's walls contain over $600,000 in gold and silver. Continue to the Blackshop Shop and Main Shaft which is over 2,000 feet deep and maintains a perfect 35 degree angle. Further on is the Stamp Mill, the Ball Mill, Talling Recovery structures, the Power Plant and Machine Shop. Talling deposits can be seen which contain an estimated seven to twelve dollars per ton of flour gold. The Hanging Tree where 18 miners were hung for high-grading gold stands a short distance from the original Wickenburg home.
The Vulture gave up $200,000,000 in gold and silver before the Federal Government closed it in 1942. An estimated 2 to 3 times this amount still remains.