REFLECTIONS

Many Blooming Prairie residents have made Mesa their winter home. Some are located in other spots on the Arizona map.
Judy and I recently had a chance to sample some Arizona life. It brought to life many of the colorful scenes my uncle Ray shared with my mother through the Arizona Highways publication.
“Arizona Highways” is a magazine that contains travelogues and artistic photographs related to the U.S. state of Arizona. It is published monthly in Phoenix by a unit of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
In my Jan. 19 column, I shared my experience of visiting Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa. I have received many comments from people who have also enjoyed this musical phenomenon.
In this column, I will share my experience of visiting the Goldfield Ghost Town, located 19 miles northeast of Mesa in Apache Junction.
I had visited Goldfield five years ago with Neil Mattson., a close friend. We did a quick walk-through of this amazing town. This time, I made it a point to take in an old-fashioned Western shootout, thanks to the recommendation of Darrell and Cindi Hansen.
The Hansens were our kind hosts for a week in early January. I thank them for giving me column material that should last me a long time.
If you ever get close to Mesa, be sure to visit the Goldfield Ghost Town. As soon as one parks the SUV, you realize that the time clock has been turned back to the late 1800s.
Goldfield is located atop a small hill between the Superstition and Goldfield Mountains. Goldfield became a settlement in 1892 when low-grade gold ore was found in the area. The area received its first official post office in 1893.
The legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine brought many hopeful gold miners to the area, in search of that elusive gold.
As time passed, the gold veins dried out and the town began to die.
The town had three saloons, a boarding house, a general store, brewery, blacksmith shop and a school.
Many of these attractions are found in Goldfield today as people enjoy visiting this reincarnated ghost town. Numerous shops and buildings include a brothel, bakery, leather works, a jail, livery and much more.
This attractive old ghost town is alive with gunfighters, madams and other Old West characters.
Learn more about the creation of Goldfield on the Internet.
Robert F. "Bob" Schoose, a long-time ghost town, mining and treasure-hunting enthusiast made his first trip to the Superstition Mountains in 1966. He moved to Mesa in 1970 and began to dream about owning his own ghost town.
Schoose and wife, Lou Ann, found Goldfield as a broken down community.
The thought of rebuilding this ghost town inspired Schoose and wife to rebuild the old town. They purchased the old mill site in 1984. The Internet said this couple first reconstructed a mining tunnel, including a snack bar. They opened for business in 1988.
Next came a photo shop, the Blue Nugget, a General Store, the Mammoth Saloon and the Goldfield Museum.
Currently, Goldfield boasts authentic-looking buildings, and it includes underground mine tours. The Goldfield railroad is the only narrow-gauge railroad in operation in Arizona.
The Hansens arranged our visit so we could take in an old-fashioned gunfight. They knew of a perfect spot to watch the first gunfight of the day at 1 o'clock.
As we strolled the streets of Goldfield, we ran into many of the characters who would appear later in a gunfight. These characters loved to pose for photos and speak in slang of the 1800s.
Spectators lined an area that served as a stage for a roaring gunfight. As some of the cowboys met their end, three women came on the scene and brandished shotguns, mowing down their adversaries.
Smoke billowed from this small town as it became a symbol of years past.
We also visited the church on top of the hill with these 10 commandments to follow:
I. Just one God
II. Honor Yer Ma and Pa
III. No Tellin'Tales or gossipin'
IV. Get yourself to Sunday meeting'
V. Putnuthin' before God
VI. No fooling' around with another feller's gal
VII. No killin'
VIII. Watch yer mouth
IX. Don't take what ain't hers
X. Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff