Filed Under Arizona and the Wider Southwest

Vulture City, Arizona

By William M. Bercu Ph.D.
Overlooking Vulture City Discovered by Henry Wickenburg in 1863, Vulture was one of the richest gold mines yielding $15/ ton. By 1870 there were 200 inhabitants. Date: c. 2015

Vulture, or Vulture City, lies in Maricopa County. The Post office opened on October 4, 1880 and closed on April 24, 1897. Henry Wickenburg discovered Vulture mine in 1863, which was the richest mine in the area.

Images

Overlooking Vulture City Discovered by Henry Wickenburg in 1863, Vulture was one of the richest gold mines yielding $15/ ton. By 1870 there were 200 inhabitants. Date: c. 2015
Jaw Crusher. This device was part of the mining process. Miners would put rocks suspected of containing into the crusher to separate materials, thus revealing any gold contained in the rock. Source: Peoria Historical Society Date: c. 2005
Overview of Vulture City. Vulture City's post office was established October 4, 1880 and was discontinued April 24, 1897. Discovered by Henry Wickenburg in 1863, Vulture was one of the richest gold mines yielding $15/ ton. By 1870 there were 200 inhabitants. Eventually, an 80 stamp mill was erected. Oddly enough, some of the original buildings were made from discarded ore from the mine and after the mill was in operation, these buildings were torn down and run through the mill resulting in about $2000 in gold from the assay office alone. Wickenburg died a pauper despite the fact that his mine produced millions in gold. He ended his own life with a colt revolver. Source: Peoria Historical Society Date: c. 1900
Assayer's Office (today) Ovens and benches remain at this historic mining town. The assayer's office was the place that would determine the metallurgical content and value of ore. Source: Peoria Historical Society Date: c. 2015
Assayer's Bench. This photo was taken in the early 20th Century. It shows the bench and ovens used in the assay office. Source: Peoria Historical Society Date: c. 1900
Miss Hamill, Vulture City School Teacher. At one point, Vulture City had a large population and an active public school. Miss Hamill was one of the teachers. Source: Peoria Historical Society Date: c. 1913
Three Vulture Miners. Three unnamed miners posing for a picture at the Vulture Mine. Date: Peoria Historical Society

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Citation Info

William M. Bercu Ph.D., “Vulture City, Arizona,” Salt River Stories, accessed December 5, 2023, https://saltriverstories.org/items/show/242.
Published Dec 8, 2016. Last updated May 9, 2017.

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