Pinal City, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Pinal or Pinal City is a ghost town
in Pinal County
in the U.S. state
of Arizona
. The town was populated from the 1870s into the 1890s, in what was then the Arizona Territory
.
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
is said to be on the site of Pinal City. Only a few foundations and "a lot of trash" remain at the old townsite. The LOST Trail system crosses from the Arizona Trail to the Town of Superior, crossing through the old Pinal town site. From the USFS "This Legends of Superior Trail connects the historic mining town of Superior with the Arizona Trail, 6 miles to the west. Along the way it passes through the high Sonoran Desert, the remains of the abandoned town of Pinal, and the riparian forest along Queen Creek, all while under the gaze of the majestic Picketpost Mountain to the south and Apache Leap to the east. Along the way you will find numbered stations on posts where you can use this brochure to learn more about the history and environment of this uniquely beautiful area."
from November 1870 to August 1871 the area was developed by prospectors and ranchers. Silver was discovered resulting in a boom town of about two thousand residents at the foot of Picket Post Mountain by 1878. The post office was established on April 10, 1878 as Picket Post, and the name was formally changed to Pinal on June 27, 1879.
Pinal City's biggest claim to fame is as the death place of Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock
, Wyatt Earp
's common law wife on 4 July 1888, from an alcohol and laudanum overdose.
When the Silver King Mine
played out, Pinal City went into steep decline. The post office closed on November 28, 1891, and the town was deserted shortly thereafter.
The nearby Silver Queen mine continued and gradually became a better producer of copper, forming the basis of the town site of Superior by 1900.
.
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
in Pinal County
Pinal County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.4% White*4.6% Black*5.6% Native American*1.7% Asian*0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.8% Two or more races*11.5% Other races*28.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. The town was populated from the 1870s into the 1890s, in what was then the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
.
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is an arboretum and state park of Arizona, USA, located in Superior.-Description:Boyce Thompson Arboretum Park consists of a botanical collection that includes a wide range of habitats and a main loop walking trail. Founded in 1925, the arboretum is the...
is said to be on the site of Pinal City. Only a few foundations and "a lot of trash" remain at the old townsite. The LOST Trail system crosses from the Arizona Trail to the Town of Superior, crossing through the old Pinal town site. From the USFS "This Legends of Superior Trail connects the historic mining town of Superior with the Arizona Trail, 6 miles to the west. Along the way it passes through the high Sonoran Desert, the remains of the abandoned town of Pinal, and the riparian forest along Queen Creek, all while under the gaze of the majestic Picketpost Mountain to the south and Apache Leap to the east. Along the way you will find numbered stations on posts where you can use this brochure to learn more about the history and environment of this uniquely beautiful area."
History
After an abortive settlement by troops under General George StonemanGeorge Stoneman
George Stoneman, Jr. was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.-Early life:...
from November 1870 to August 1871 the area was developed by prospectors and ranchers. Silver was discovered resulting in a boom town of about two thousand residents at the foot of Picket Post Mountain by 1878. The post office was established on April 10, 1878 as Picket Post, and the name was formally changed to Pinal on June 27, 1879.
Pinal City's biggest claim to fame is as the death place of Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock
Mattie Blaylock
Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock was a prostitute who became the romantic companion and common-law wife of Old West lawman and gambler Wyatt Earp for about 8 years...
, Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
's common law wife on 4 July 1888, from an alcohol and laudanum overdose.
When the Silver King Mine
Silver King Mine
The Silver King Mine is an inactive silver mine located near Superior, Arizona in the United States. The richest silver mine in Arizona, it produced an estimated US$42 million worth of silver ore between 1875 and 1900....
played out, Pinal City went into steep decline. The post office closed on November 28, 1891, and the town was deserted shortly thereafter.
The nearby Silver Queen mine continued and gradually became a better producer of copper, forming the basis of the town site of Superior by 1900.
.