Gleeson Jail
The Jail That Outlasted the Town
Gleeson was a copper and turquoise mining town that boomed across three different eras. The stone jail, hospital, and school ruins remain photogenic attractions in the Chiricahua Mountain foothills. The jail's thick walls and barred windows make it one of Arizona's most iconic ghost town sites.
Three Mining Booms
Gleeson experienced booms in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1920s as copper and turquoise prices fluctuated. Each time, miners arrived and left with the market.
Ruins That Remain
The stone jail, hospital, and school are substantial ruins that attract photographers. The jail's walls are over two feet thick, built to hold the roughest characters of the mining camps.
Timeline
- 1900 - Boom Major copper mining began
- 1920s - Last Boom Final mining surge
- 1930s - Abandoned Mines closed permanently
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Fall through spring
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 1 hour
Quick Facts
- The jail had walls over 2 feet thick
- Turquoise was also mined here
- The ruins are on private land but viewable from road
Location
Address: Gleeson Road, Cochise County, Arizona
Coordinates: 31.8233, -109.8403