Jerome 1976 by Joseph Holcombe
I first visited Jerome in 1976, coming to Prescott to attend a wedding of a relocated Californian.Since I was always interested in mining and ghost towns, my friend took me over to Jerome. I didn't know much about Arizona--thought that there would be apaches behind every rock. We came over in a monsoon and I first saw the town coming out of a fog-seemed like I had been transported in a time machine. I was fascinated and returned to the area and got grounded in the many interesting local features. In l989, we where driving through Jerome and my wife said we had never been off the main drag, so we went down school street and found a darling old building that had fallen into foreclosure after a rehabilation attempt. We peeked through the windows and saw very interesting interior and we investigated buying the building and finishing the project. The building is at the corner of school and center and had been a church and subsequent businesses. We were a little hesitant about getting involved in an unfinished project that had been abandoned by the last owner. Fortunately, we had an excellent contractor and the building was restored and has been a triplex since then. We keep a studio within the building and get back periodically. I guess it was fate that drew me to Jerome but there is no where like it in the American West. We had a boy after redoing the building and he grew up in a "ghost town". When he was little he would ask where all the ghosts were. Eventually, I responded that they were probably down in the cemetery. He then asked to go down to the cemetery to check it out. Jerome's cemetery is out of town on a hill--straight out of a Hollywood horror film. I drove him down at dusk on a motorcycle and when we got to the gate and shut the engine off, he decided he didn't need to check it out after all! The next morning his courage returned and he insisted that I take him back to the cemetery. In the morning light he didn't see why people would be afraid of ghosts. I then reminded him that the building had been an early church and that some of the people we were visiting had probably been in our living room. I think he had problems sleeping in the building thereafter.
Joseph Holcombe
Joseph Holcombe
In reading about Jerome I found myself captivated by the posting on the blog. I noticed that all posts are by Allen Muma. Jerome 1976 by unknown Author
Posted by Allen Muma at 4/22/2008 6:35 AM.
I have driven through Jerome a few years ago while returning from the Grand Canyon to Laughlin, NV. I live in CT and have traveled west to Arizona a few times a year. That accidental drive through Jerome left me with a void for knowledge and it's history. I did some reading but have been re-energized by the stories here. I will be hiking in the Canyon this Sept. and would love to talk with someone that can share some experiences with me.
Phil Gutkin pgutkin@optonline.net
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The story makes me surprised somehow. My Name is Jerome is Jerome born on May 20th 1976 in Africa and when I read the story I found out that there story got my name and my year birth, what amazing is this story?
Communicate with me by email given above or call my number at 514-731-6322 presently living in Montreal Canada.
All comments are welcome,
jerome
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I love Jerome so much, it is probably my favorite place, on the planet that I have visited. If I ever got the chance I would hope to one day live there among the many artists, and hippies and down to earth society.
I drove from Peoria, a solo run through the desert, in about 1999, coming over the mountain, and then, into the city on the hill, it was just absolutely amazing. I visited the Brewery/pizza parlor. One of the Cafe's over looking Sedona Valley, for a late breakfast. Then an espresso/breakfast bar, wedged in between two narrow streets. I went to the gift shops, and gave up some rocks/gemstones, that I had found and was given a book in return, "Gemtrails of Arizona." The shop owner was very nice, or who-ever was working that day? Funny, on my way back to Peoria, which was home for awhile, I saw something way down in the valley, on the Phoenix side of the mountain. I set the book down on a big rock, I looked through some binoculars, and noticed the place, was a slaughterhouse for beef; I was so disgusted, I forgot the book there at that pullout, Danggiit!
Upon a second visit, I went to the Gold King Mine. On a third visit, I hiked and rode my mountain bike above and beyond, the reaches of town, I found a slab of Malachite, so beautiful, which, when I was starving and broke, I later sold, for a mere 40 bucks, the lady who bought it was planning to cut it up, and use it for a mural, it was two and a half pounds, and had an alluvial fan, that went in a circle, about three inches across or more, the sheen was so georgeous, I never should have sold that gemstone! I found in the hills above Jerome.
One night I parked up oh the hill just above the Gold King Mine/Ghost Town. It was one of the greatest meteor showers we have, I want to say it was late in the year, like December. It was so cold, I remember. There were two or sometimes three meteorites flying across the sky at the same time! One appeared, to be coming straight down, while two others would race in, as if head on! It was a most memorable evening of course, I must have seen 1,000 meteorites or more that night. The next morning I tried to start my car, it was dead, funny huh? So I was able to park it at the Gold King Mine, and got a ride back toward Phoenix, from a collector of, fire axes. We stopped by some interesting places on our return.
Well back to Jerome, the views from her high and lofty perch, amazing sunsets, amazing red skies, woderful people, artists and the high life. Just a small town, but it leaves such a lasting impression, I can not wait til I can come back again. Jerome, a her?, well whatever, you know. Jerome Arizona, the high city on the hill. The clubs are rockin', the tourists shops hoppin', the views are amazing and the natives are friendly. One of these days, my own arts may shine, and be sold in Jerome, until the end of time. So many great things there, a gem crazed rockhound myself. It's a place where you can search your soul, and find yourself.
Douglas J
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Jerome is one of the coolest towns that I have ever been to! If you have never visited it is a must! I wish I could move there and stay forever!!!!! Me and my husband have been there 2 times and loved it both times, it was one of the most relaxing vactions we have ever had.... the gosts don't bother u too much!
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