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Historic Smokestack: A Sentinel of Mayer's Past

A towering landmark in Mayer, Arizona, the Historic Smokestack symbolizes the town's mining heritage and the dreams of a bygone era.

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The Historic Smokestack in Mayer, Arizona, is a towering reminder of the town's early 20th-century mining boom. Though the smelter it served never fully operated, the smokestack remains a striking landmark and a testament to the dreams and challenges of a bygone era.

A brief summary to Historic Smokestack

  • 10099 AZ-69, Mayer, Arizona, 86333, US

Local tips

  • Bring your camera! The smokestack provides a unique backdrop for memorable photos.
  • Explore the surrounding area for other historical sites and natural attractions.
  • Visit during the spring or fall for pleasant weather.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Historic Smokestack is located at 10099 AZ-69, Mayer, AZ 86333. From I-17, take exit 262 for AZ-69 N toward Prescott Valley. Follow AZ-69 N for approximately 30 miles. The Historic Smokestack will be located on the right. There is no fee to visit the site. Parking is available near the smokestack.

  • Public Transportation

    Public transportation options to Mayer are limited. From Phoenix, you can take a Greyhound bus to Prescott, and then arrange for a taxi or rideshare service to Mayer. From Prescott, Mayer is about 22 miles away. Check the Greyhound schedule for current times and connections. A taxi or rideshare from Prescott to the Historic Smokestack will likely cost $40-$60.

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Discover more about Historic Smokestack

Rising from the high desert landscape of Mayer, Arizona, the Historic Smokestack stands as a monument to a period of industrial ambition and unfulfilled potential. Constructed in the early 1900s (likely 1916 or 1917) by the United Verde Copper Company, the 129.5-foot smokestack was intended to vent smoke and waste gases from a large smelting operation. The smelter was meant to process precious metals mined in the surrounding Bradshaw Mountains, with the smokestack designed to handle a daily capacity of 700 tons. However, with the end of World War I in 1918, the demand for these metals decreased, halting construction on the smelting foundry. As a result, the towering smokestack never served its intended purpose, becoming a silent sentinel over the town. For decades, the smokestack remained a prominent feature of the Mayer skyline, witnessing the town's evolution from a bustling mining hub to a close-knit community. In more recent times, local high school students celebrated homecoming events with bonfires inside the smokestack until 1985. Today, the Historic Smokestack offers visitors a glimpse into Mayer's rich heritage and provides a striking photo opportunity amidst the natural beauty of Yavapai County. Though the smelter lies in ruins at the foot of the smokestack, the towering structure continues to evoke the spirit of Mayer's past.

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