Exploring a Gold Mine of an Opportunity South of Prescott

The Senator gold mine is an inactive mine located in the picturesque hilly and wooded area at the end of Senator Highway, about 10 miles south of Prescott. It was first opened around 1871 and was primarily operated between 1883 and 1899. Although it was initially created for the prospect of gold, the mine also produced significant amounts of lead, zinc, copper and silver.

A mining town was established adjacent to the mine along the Hassayampa River to support the mine, including a saloon, a store and a boarding house. During the 1890s, Phelps Dodge purchased the mine and the settlement became a small town. The town grew and included hotels, restaurants, more saloons, a church and a school.

A dam was constructed on the Hassayampa River to hold water for mining operations and to provide drinking water for the town. Later, the town spread along Senator Highway and the river and was referred to as “Senator” or “Maxton.” In 1901, an official U.S. post office was added to the expanding community. Although the town has long since been abandoned, remnants of the community can still be found, as is typical of the many Arizona ghost towns.

 The scenic area in which the mine is located can be accessed by driving south on Senator Highway for about 10 miles out of Prescott. Much of the drive is paved, with the last several miles being a mostly two-lane, graded dirt road. Four-wheel drive is not necessary and the road is reasonably accessible in non-winter months. The heavily wooded area lends itself to scenic landscapes, with the Hassayampa River basin as the focal point. Lush with vegetation, the environment reaches out to people and makes an excellent day trip for those wishing to explore the gorgeous landscape near Prescott.

There has been some controversy in recent years as to the legacy of the remains of the mining operations. As with many other Arizona mining operations, various petitions and written communications have been made by environmentally conscious and local groups concerned with the impact the abandoned mine has on the ecosystem, with no resolution to date. 

Some 221 acres of the picturesque surroundings, not including the mine, recently have been listed for sale. The property is zoned as residential and can be used for single-family housing with lots of at least two acres. With rezoning, the land could also be used as a public park, a summer camp, a nature preserve, or a number of other public uses to allow everyone to enjoy this one-of-a-kind property just minutes from Prescott. Prescott Commercial Real Estate is the exclusive listing agent for the property. QCBN

By Matt Fish

Matthew Fish, MBA, is the designated broker at Prescott Commercial Real Estate, 122 N. Cortez St., Ste. 300 in Prescott.