Clarkdale, Arizona

Clarkdale was founded in 1912 as a company smelter town by William A. Clark, for his copper mine in nearby Jerome. Clarkdale was one of the most modern mining towns in the world, including telephone, telegraph, electrical, sewer and spring water services, and was an early example of a planned community.{{cite web|title=The History of Clarkdale|url=http://www.clarkdale.az.gov/history.html|publisher=Town of Clarkdale|access-date=March 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224192740/http://www.clarkdale.az.gov/history.html|archive-date=December 24, 2013|url-status=dead}} The Clark Mansion, a local landmark, was built in the late 1920s by William Clark III, Clark's grandson and heir to the United Verde Copper Company. The structure, east of town across the Verde River near Pecks Lake, was destroyed in 2010 by a fire of "suspicious" origin.{{cite news|last=Hutchinson|first=Jon|title=Historic Clark Mansion Fire Called 'Suspicious'|url=http://verdenews.com/main.asp?ArticleID=37071&SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1190|work=Verde Independent|publisher=Western News&Info|date=June 25, 2010|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306222210/http://verdenews.com/main.asp?ArticleID=37071&SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1190|archive-date=March 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}

The town center and business district were built in Spanish Colonial style, and feature the Clark Memorial Clubhouse and Memorial Library, both still in use. The Clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire original town site is also on the National Register as the Clarkdale Historic District.

The mine and smelter closed in 1953, and Clarkdale entered hard times. Clarkdale was bought and sold by several different companies. In 1957, Clarkdale was incorporated as a town. The 1959 construction of the Phoenix Cement Company (now Salt River Materials Group) plant restored a modest prosperity to the community.

Clarkdale was a segregated town for much of its early history. Mexican and Mexican-American laborers were restricted to living in Patio Town (see neighborhoods), with a separate swimming pool and park; the town swimming pool was marked "whites only." Additionally, Upper Clarkdale was designated for engineers and executives, while Lower Clarkdale was for the "working class."[http://www.k7buc.org/wxdisp/wx9.html About the Town of Clarkdale] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522002421/http://www.k7buc.org/wxdisp/wx9.html |date=May 22, 2009 }}

A portion of the Yavapai-Apache Nation is within Clarkdale's boundaries.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Clarkdale has a total area of {{convert|7.5|mi2|km2}}, of which {{convert|7.3|mi2|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.2|mi2|km2|1}} is water.

Clarkdale is at {{convert|3545|ft|m}} above sea level at the confluence of Bitter Creek and the Verde River in Yavapai County, northern Arizona. The town is about {{convert|40|mi|km}} southwest of Flagstaff and about {{convert|90|mi|km}} north of Phoenix. Arizona Route 89A skirts the town on its south edge, while Historic Route 89A passes through Clarkdale. Nearby towns include Jerome, about {{convert|4|mi|km}} to the southwest, and Cottonwood, about {{convert|4|mi|km}} to the southeast.{{cite book|title=Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer|publisher=DeLorme|location=Yarmouth, Maine|year=2008|pages=32–35|isbn=978-0-89933-325-0}}

Tuzigoot National Monument, a {{convert|42|acre|ha|adj=on}} Sinagua pueblo ruin,{{cite web|title=Tuzigoot: History and Culture|publisher=National Park Service|url=http://www.nps.gov/tuzi/historyculture/index.htm|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=March 15, 2013}} is between Clarkdale and Cottonwood, Arizona, on land donated to the National Park Service by Phelps Dodge in 1938.

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness lies several miles north of town. Sycamore Creek, which flows through the wilderness, enters the Verde River canyon about {{convert|6.5|mi|km}} north-northwest of Clarkdale.{{cite web|work=Geographic Names Information System|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=February 8, 1980|url={{Gnis3|45636}}|title = Sycamore Canyon|access-date =March 13, 2013}}

The average temperature in Clarkdale in January is {{convert|45|F|C}}, and in July it is {{convert|84|F|C}}. The highest recorded temperature for the town was {{convert|118|F|C}} in 1994, and the lowest was {{convert|8|F|C}} in 1990. The wettest month is August, averaging about {{convert|2|in|mm}} of precipitation. In the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clarkdale has a tropical and sub-tropical steppe climate, abbreviated BSk on climate maps.{{cite web|title=Clarkdale, Arizona|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=409820&cityname=Clarkdale%2C+Arizona%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |work=Weatherbase|publisher=CantyMedia|year=2013|access-date=September 23, 2013}}

Little snow falls in Clarkdale. Between 1949 and 1977, Cottonwood, Clarkdale's close neighbor, received an average of about {{convert|4|in|cm}} of snow a year. About half of this fell in December. The average snow depth in Cottonwood during the period of record was reported as zero.{{cite web|title=Cottonwood, Arizona: Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?azcott|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center|access-date=March 14, 2013}}

{{Weather box

|location = Clarkdale, Arizona

|single line = Y

|collapsed = Y

|Jan high F = 60

|Feb high F = 63

|Mar high F = 69

|Apr high F = 78

|May high F = 88

|Jun high F = 97

|Jul high F = 100

|Aug high F = 97

|Sep high F = 92

|Oct high F = 81

|Nov high F = 69

|Dec high F = 58

|Jan low F = 30

|Feb low F = 34

|Mar low F = 38

|Apr low F = 44

|May low F = 52

|Jun low F = 60

|Jul low F = 67

|Aug low F = 66

|Sep low F = 59

|Oct low F = 47

|Nov low F = 36

|Dec low F = 30

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.16

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.15

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.08

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.59

|May precipitation inch = 0.35

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.22

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.69

|Aug precipitation inch = 2.02

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.52

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.02

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.79

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.16

|source 1 = The Weather Channel{{cite web | title = Monthly Averages for Clarkdale, Arizona|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USAZ0041 |access-date= March 14, 2013|publisher= The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc}}

|date=March 2013

}}

{{clear}}

File:Slag2.jpg

The [https://www.srmaterials.com/ Salt River Materials Group (formerly Phoenix Cement Co.] is Clarkdale's only major industry. The cement plant was built in 1959 to supply Portland cement for the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and is owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Clarkdale is home to the Verde Canyon Railroad, a scenic excursion train that follows part of the route of the Verde Valley Railroad, constructed in 1911–12 to serve Clark's mine and smelter, to Drake and Perkinsville, now ghost towns.[http://www.onemine.org/search/summary.cfm/Filled-Stopes--Mining-Methods-of-Verde-District-Arizona?d=AB8DA5D6EF3E4CEAD61C425C50F821936F7017F3B3A822A255312853E217ABC015270 Filled Stopes – Mining Methods of Verde District, Arizona] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723023817/http://www.onemine.org/search/summary.cfm/Filled-Stopes--Mining-Methods-of-Verde-District-Arizona?d=AB8DA5D6EF3E4CEAD61C425C50F821936F7017F3B3A822A255312853E217ABC015270 |date=July 23, 2011 }} Yavapai College also has a campus in Clarkdale.

Several motion pictures have been shot in Clarkdale, including Desert Fury, Midnight Run, Universal Soldier, Benefit of the Doubt and Brothel.[https://www.imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Clarkdale,%20Arizona,%20USA&&heading=18;with+locations+including;Clarkdale,%20Arizona,%20USA Titles with locations including Clarkdale, Arizona, USA]{{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Internet Movie Database

The Made in Clarkdale organization hosts an annual invitational art show each December in the Clark Memorial Clubhouse.{{cite web|title=Made In Clarkdale 2012|url=http://www.madeinclarkdale.org/index.html|publisher=Made in Clarkdale|access-date=March 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920185012/http://madeinclarkdale.org/index.html|archive-date=September 20, 2013|url-status=dead}} and free concerts are offered in Clarkdale Park through the summer months.{{cite web|title=Concerts in the Park|url=http://www.clarkdale.az.us/concerts_in_the_park.htm|publisher=Town of Clarkdale|date=February 7, 2013|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504024839/http://www.clarkdale.az.us/concerts_in_the_park.htm|archive-date=May 4, 2011|url-status=dead}} The Arizona Copper Art Museum is located in the city.

Clarkdale's neighborhoods are not strictly defined, but include:

• Upper Clarkdale, the oldest part of the historic section of town, from 9th Street/Miller's Hill west to 16th Street.
• Lower Clarkdale, east of 9th Street/Miller's Hill, along Main Street to 4th Street and the railroad tracks.
• Riverfront, between 4th Street/railroad and the Verde River (sometimes included in Lower Clarkdale).
• Patio Town, now referred to as Patio Park across Bitter Creek between the train depot area and the river.
• Centerville, the oldest development not in the historic site, along Avenida Centerville off of Arizona State Route 89A. Said to be named for its location at the geographical center of Arizona.
• Foothills Terrace, a development west of Arizona State Route 89A along Lisa Street and Lanny Lane.
• Black Hills, north of Black Hills Drive and west of Old Jerome Highway. Site of Yavapai College's Clarkdale campus.
• Bent River, east of Broadway (Historic US Route 89A) along Bent River Road and Old Clarkdale Highway.
• Verde Palisades, west of Broadway along Palisade Drive.
• Giant's Grave, on a bluff north of Arizona State Route 89A along Panorama Way.
• Newer developments, including Lampliter Village, Pine Shadows, Mingus Shadows, Mingus View Estates, [https://mandalayhomes.com/communities/mountain-gate-the-traditions/ Mountain Gate], and [https://crossroadsatmingus.com/ Crossroads at Mingus].
• Individual homes in un-subdivided areas, including Haskell Springs, Hawk Hollow Way and Mescal Wash/Tavasci Road.

Much of Clarkdale is in the Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st04_az/schooldistrict_maps/c04025_yavapai/DC20SD_C04025.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Yavapai County, AZ|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|pages=1-2 (PDF pp. 2-3/3)|access-date=2024-12-28}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st04_az/schooldistrict_maps/c04025_yavapai/DC20SD_C04025_SD2MS.txt Text list] - Includes boundaries of municipalities and CDPs, as well as high school district boundaries. That district operates Clarkdale–Jerome School in Clarkdale, a facility which also takes students from Jerome. The public school has enrollment from kindergarten to eighth grade.{{cite web|title=Clarkdale Jerome School Page|url=http://www.cjsd.k12.az.us/school.htm|publisher=Clarkdale–Jerome School|access-date=March 20, 2013}} A portion of Clarkdale is in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary School District..

All of Clarkdale is in Mingus Union High School District. Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood takes Clarkdale high school students.{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Philip|title=Historical Societies Receive High School Annuals|url=http://verdenews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=42601|work=Verde Independent|publisher=Western News&Info|date=June 24, 2011|access-date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422045921/http://verdenews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=42601|archive-date=April 22, 2012}} There are also charter schools in Cottonwood. In addition, Yavapai College has a community college campus in Clarkdale. The campus is home to the newly opened Southwest Wine Center.

Historically, Clarkdale had an elementary school, located in Lower Clarkdale, a junior high school, located at the top of Miller's Hill in Upper Clarkdale, and a high school, next to the junior high school. Clarkdale High School combined with Mingus High School in Jerome in 1960 to form Mingus Union High School, then located in Jerome. The combined high school adopted the name of the Jerome school and the colors of the Clarkdale school. The school then moved to Cottonwood in 1972.{{cite news|title=A Mountainous Journey: Mingus Union High School Moves from Jerome|url=http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=201&subsectionID=675&articleID=25150|date=February 11, 2008|work=Verde Independent|publisher=Western News&Info|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721025144/http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=201&subsectionID=675&articleID=25150|archive-date=July 21, 2012|url-status=dead}} In 1983, the junior high school burned down. A new elementary school was built, becoming the K-8 school at 16th and Main Streets in Upper Clarkdale in 1985.

{{US Census population

|1920= 2435

|1930= 5526

|1950= 1609

|1960= 1095

|1970= 892

|1980= 1512

|1990= 2144

|2000= 3422

|2010= 4097

|2020= 4424

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 3,422 people, 1,433 households, and 994 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|466.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,546 housing units at an average density of {{convert|210.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 84.5% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 6.8% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 11.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,433 households, out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,911, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $28,824 versus $21,811 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,441. About 7.4% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Clarkdale became one of the municipalities in Arizona to recognize civil unions for same-sex partners and opposite-sex partners seeking a form of recognition other than marriage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.journalaz.com/news/cottonwood/2139-clarkdale-becomes-5th-town-to-ok-civil-unions.html|title=Clarkdale becomes 5th town to OK civil unions|last=Lineberger|first=Mark|website=www.journalaz.com|language=en-gb|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728040040/http://www.journalaz.com/news/cottonwood/2139-clarkdale-becomes-5th-town-to-ok-civil-unions.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.verdenews.com/news/2013/dec/19/clarkdale-registers-first-civil-union/|title=Clarkdale Registers First Civil Union|work=Verde Independent|access-date=July 28, 2018|language=en}}

• List of historic properties in Clarkdale, Arizona

{{wide image|Clark Memorial Clubhouse pano.jpg|600px|Panorama of the Clark Memorial Clubhouse}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Clarkdale, Arizona}}

• [http://www.clarkdale.az.gov Official Clarkdale website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131224192740/http://www.clarkdale.az.gov/history.html Clarkdale's history]
• [http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/htme/clarkdale.htm Clarkdale photo gallery]
• [http://www.azcommerce.com/doclib/COMMUNE/clarkdale.pdf Clarkdale community profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717171541/http://www.azcommerce.com/doclib/COMMUNE/clarkdale.pdf |date=July 17, 2007 }}, from Arizona Department of Commerce
• [https://experienceclarkdale.com Clarkdale Tourism Site]

{{Yavapai County, Arizona}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Yavapai County, Arizona

Category:Company towns in Arizona

Category:Populated places established in 1912

Category:1912 establishments in Arizona