Welcome
This research brings together photography, mapping, and interactive media to make local history more accessible and engaging. Whether following a virtual railway journey, exploring historic townsites, or viewing archival images in their modern settings, each feature is designed to help you understand how towns, mines, and railways evolved over time across Central Arizona.
Start here to begin exploring Central Arizona:
• Take a Virtual Tour, visit historic towns and landmarks
• View the Railyards, explore historic railyards
• Ride the Railways, follow the historic railroads
• Use the Atlas, freely explore Central Arizona
• Browse Photo Albums, compare historic landscapes
• Download Research Papers, read for deeper learning
New to the site? Visit the Help Center, which includes step-by-step guides, short videos, frequently asked question to help you get started quickly.
• Take a Virtual Tour, visit historic towns and landmarks
• View the Railyards, explore historic railyards
• Ride the Railways, follow the historic railroads
• Use the Atlas, freely explore Central Arizona
• Browse Photo Albums, compare historic landscapes
• Download Research Papers, read for deeper learning
New to the site? Visit the Help Center, which includes step-by-step guides, short videos, frequently asked question to help you get started quickly.
Research and Tour Updates
- Version 1.1 - October 2026 Clarkdale Research: Added numerous new Tour Stops and Photos for Clarkdale. The Clarkdale Research Paper was also enhanced.
- Version 1.1 - August 2026 Cleanup Jerome, Clarkdale, and Cottonwood Research: Ticked and tied railroads, smelters etc. ALL together!
- Version 1.0 - August 2026 Clarkdale Research: A brand NEW tour of Clarkdale was added!
- Version 1.1 - August 2026 Railroad Tours: Five brand NEW railroad tours were added!
- Version 1.1 - August 2026 Ghost Town Research: Two brand NEW tours of Cherry and Perkinsville were added!
- Version 1.1 - July 2026 Cottonwood Research: Enhanced the Cottonwood Research Paper and Cottonwood Tour. I added historic information on the Big 1933 Fire and clarified the history of Clemenceau and Smelter City. The Cottonwood Tour added about 12 new Tour Stops! Also updated was the Jerome Research paper to tie Clarkdale, Cottonwood, and Jerome railroads together..
- Version 1.1 - May 2026 Chino Valley Research: Enhanced the Chino Valley Tour. I added additional historic information and photos for the Sullivan Lake and Dam as well as the nearby historic train trestle.
- Version 1.0 - April 2026 Finished Beta Testing and formally released the entire research project.