11 "Living Ghost Towns" Where History Buffs Can Spend the Night

5. Jerome, Arizona: From Boomtown to Artist Colony

Jerome, Arizona, perched on Cleopatra Hill, offers a fascinating blend of history and modern creativity. Once a booming copper mining town, Jerome was known as the "Wickedest Town in the West" due to its rampant vice and lawlessness. After the mines closed in the 1950s, Jerome nearly became a ghost town, but it was revived by artists and visionaries who transformed it into a thriving arts community. Today, visitors can explore its historic buildings, enjoy art galleries and studios, and learn about its colorful past at the Jerome State Historic Park. The town's unique blend of history and art makes it a captivating destination, with overnight accommodations available in charming bed-and-breakfasts and historic hotels.