Gleeson
Originally called Turquoise for the gemstone mined by Native Americans, Gleeson became a copper boom
State: Arizona
County: Cochise County
Founded: 1900 (post office)
Abandoned: 1939 (post office closed)
Peak Population: 500
Originally called Turquoise for the gemstone mined by Native Americans, Gleeson became a copper boomtown after Irishman John Gleeson struck a copper claim in 1896. Tiffany and Co. once owned turquoise mines here. A devastating 1912 fire destroyed 28 buildings but the town rebuilt, only to fade when mines closed in the 1930s.
Timeline
- Pre-1870s - Turquoise Era The area was originally settled as a turquoise mining camp, with Native Americans having mined the gemstone extensively. The settlement was called 'Turquoise.'
- 1870s - Prospectors Arrive White prospectors discovered deposits of copper, lead, and silver alongside the turquoise.
- 1890 - Tiffany Turquoise Tiffany and Co. acquired turquoise mines in the area, evidence of the quality of gemstones found here.
- 1896 - Copper Discovery Irishman John Gleeson staked a successful copper claim, establishing the Copper Belle Mine. The shift from turquoise to copper mining began.
- 1900 - Town Named A post office named Gleeson opened, officially renaming the settlement. The town featured a hospital, bank, and Chinese restaurant.
- 1912 - Great Fire A catastrophic fire destroyed 28 buildings, causing $100,000 in damages. The determined residents rebuilt the town.
- 1914-1918 - World War I Boom Copper production surged during World War I as wartime demand skyrocketed.
- 1930s-1939 - Decline The mines began playing out. The post office closed permanently in 1939.
- 1940 - Ghost Town With mines ceasing operations, Gleeson became a semi-ghost town.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: October-April
Difficulty: Easy to moderate - dirt road access
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Tips
- The restored jail now functions as a small museum
- Remnants of hospital, saloon, and cemetery are visible
- Historic structures can be seen from public roads
- Often combined with visit to nearby Courtland ghost town
- Part of the Turquoise Mining District
Quick Facts
- Tiffany and Co. once owned turquoise mines here
- The town was originally called 'Turquoise' before being renamed for copper miner John Gleeson
- A 1912 fire destroyed 28 buildings worth $100,000—and the town rebuilt anyway
- The Gleeson jail has been restored and serves as a museum
- Native Americans mined turquoise here for centuries before Europeans arrived
Location
Address: Gleeson Road, Cochise County, Arizona
Coordinates: 31.4728, -109.8586