Audrey Headframe Park: A Glimpse into Jerome's Mining Past

Audrey Headframe Park, adjacent to Jerome State Historic Park, provides a captivating look into Arizona's mining heritage. The park's centerpiece is the Audrey Shaft Headframe, the largest wooden headframe remaining in the state. Built in 1918 for the United Verde Extension (UVX) Company, the Audrey Headframe was constructed after the discovery of a rich copper deposit. The Audrey shaft extends 1,900 feet into the earth, deeper than the height of many iconic structures.Visitors can stand on a glass platform and peer down into the depths of the Little Daisy Mine shaft. Mirrors and lighting illuminate the shaft, revealing water seepage from mountain springs far below. Informative displays and interpretive signs offer insights into the mining operations and the lives of the miners who worked there. The park also features original mining equipment.During its peak, the Little Daisy Mine was incredibly profitable, producing millions in copper, silver, and gold. The UVX operation included a complex of buildings, such as a power substation, machine shop, and warehouse. The Audrey shaft played a crucial role in transporting ore to the surface and later to the Clemenceau smelter. Today, Audrey Headframe Park offers breathtaking views of the Verde Valley and surrounding landscapes.