Arizona has more ghost towns than almost anywhere else in the country. In varying stages of decay, these abandoned cities tell long-forgotten stories of our state’s past. Brigham City is one such place. Check it out:
Located along the Little Colorado River, Brigham City was founded by a group of Latter-Day Saints in 1876. Twenty Mormon families and a handful of singles settled the area.
Wikimedia Commons/MRobison In 1880, the population was a mere 191.
The settlers built homes and several other buildings, most of which were washed away during a flash flood. The resulting crop failure from the overly saturated land led to the town’s abandonment in 1881, just five years after its establishment.
YouTube/American Ghost Towns Brigham City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and restoration of the ruins began shortly thereafter.
Very little evidence of its former life remains today. Archaeologists have been excavating the area in search of artifacts that might have been buried.
FindAGrave/Pete Henderson Three other Mormon colonies were also settled nearby: Sunset, Joseph City, and Obed. Joseph City is the only one still standing.
You’ll find Brigham City just 1.5 miles north of present-day Winslow, at the GPS coordinates: 35°02′31″N, 110°41′04″W.
Google Maps
Take a virtual tour of Brigham City in this video by American Ghost Towns:
Wikimedia Commons/MRobison
In 1880, the population was a mere 191.
YouTube/American Ghost Towns
Brigham City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and restoration of the ruins began shortly thereafter.
FindAGrave/Pete Henderson
Three other Mormon colonies were also settled nearby: Sunset, Joseph City, and Obed. Joseph City is the only one still standing.
Google Maps
Have you ever been to Brigham City? What’s your favorite ghost town in Arizona? Take this road trip to experience some of the spookiest.
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