In the process of trying to find (unsuccessfully in this case) a geocache (
GC30ZBN), we ran across the remnants of the town of Aripine, Arizona. I'd never heard of it. Based on web research, it looks like most other people haven't either. There were a few old log cabins with newer sheet metal roofs.
Aripine shows up in a couple "ghost town" websites with minimal information, but it does have its own zip code.
Google Maps suggests that the stone house served as the post office at one time but I'm betting it was the stone building to the left of the house.
There were a few newer homes in the town, with a chain across the driveway. We didn't see any sign of anyone residing in the town the day we were there.
I especially liked the gate structure at the stone house near the intersection. The rock work included lots of pieces of petrified woods. It's a long ways by road but not so far as the crow flies to
Petrified Forest National Park. It leaves one to wonder the source of this petrified wood.
The best part of the open gate was the nearly unreadable No Trespassing sign! (As always, click on the photo for a larger version.)
There's obviously been a livestock operation at one time. A concrete silo was still standing, but this loading chute had seen its better days.
Apparently, Aripine was best known for the Sundown Girls Ranch. It was quite popular 50-60 years ago with girls (and a separate ranch for boys) from eastern cities. The girls ranch still shows on the map, but it's not clear if it's in operation.
Usually, the story of a ghost town can be determined in part just by looking around. This one is more perplexing since there are essentially three different era of structures - log, stone, and frame construction - yet no one is home.
We ran across this old ranch today while out looking for Elk. I was very taken by the old rock house and the log structures that appeared to be bunk houses. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a ghost town, but many of these ranches are only occupied seasonally. Some of the buildings you pictured are owned by relatives of mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback! I loved the character of many of the buildings.
DeleteOf course I don't know the origin of the petrified wood that was used in the stone arch, but I live in this area and know that petrified wood is abundant all over this area. The greatest concentration of petrified wood in the area is certainly in the petrified forest, but to make any assumptions that it was taken from the petrified forest is a big stretch. However, my family and I just drove through the little town again yesterday. I appreciated being able to find some pictures online of the small, scenic valley. Thank you for taking the time to share.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you should read my statement as making an assumption. There's clearly an assumption made, but it's not mine...
DeleteMy apologies for incorrectly reading into your statement. After a re-read of the caption by the picture, I realize that I am the one that made an assumption. I really like the information and the pictures in your blog. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your adventures.
DeleteWent to the boy's ranch in '65-'66. The girls was long closed down, and the boys did in '71 after drug use became too common there. It was a wonderful experience as one really was involved in herding cattle, managing your own horse, and working alongside the real cowboys all summer. Never forget that immense sky and the double rainbows after big storms.
ReplyDeleteI was at Sundown Boys Ranch for three Summers. They were the best three Summers years of my life and I'm 83 now. Sadly many of the people are gone. Alma Bigler the owner died years ago. His daughter used to live where the girls ranch was, Their son is a professor at the U of AZ.
ReplyDeleteThere was a marvelous article published about the ranch. I have it, but don't know if I can upload it to this web site.
I drove by about ten years ago, much against recommendations from myself. Never go back, just keep your memories. The place was burned out in the big fires. I climbed up the hill where we used to have Sunday night bar-b-ques and home made ice cream. Looked down on my memories. Drove on.
Sundown was a fabulous place.