The Growler Mine Area is a historic mine located in

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a U.S. national monument and UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona that shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora. The park is the only place in the United States where the ...

west of the Bates Well Ranch.

History

The Growler mine site "at one time featured a boarding house, three boilers, an Ingersol-Rand air compressor, and two steam hoists." The area was first mined by Frederick Wall who named the mine after John Growler, his friend. The mine reached peak production , and ceased in 1917. Attempts to restart production were halted by rising groundwater in the mineshafts, high cost, and the low price of ore. The Growler mine claims yielded "a total of 12,000 pounds of copper, 2 ounces of gold, and 200 ounces of silver with a sum value of $2,000". Growler had a store and office building, which were in ruins by the 1960s. Around 1928, the ghost town and mine were purchased by Charles Greer and his step-father Bert Long, of Ajo. According to Nell Murbarger, the site quickly became a popular sightseeing destination. In 1934, visitors reported seeing camels near the old ghost town of Growler. The report was later mentioned in a 1961 issue of ''

Arizona Highways ''Arizona Highways'' is a magazine that contains travelogues and artistic photographs related to the U.S. state of Arizona. It is published monthly in Phoenix by a unit of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Background The m ...

''. Many of the old Growler buildings in the ghost town site were bulldozed in May 1962 by

officials for being "dangerous and unsightly". The old Growler town-site was mentioned in a 1969 '' Phoenix Republic'' article on scenic drives through the O'Neil Hills area. The Growler Mine Area in the vicinity of

Lukeville, Arizona Lukeville is a small unincorporated town on the Mexico–United States border in southern Pima County, Arizona, United States. It was named for World War I aviator Frank Luke, an Arizona native who was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. Descr ...

was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

in 1978. With

Rail site

siding (rail) A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line, branch line, or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end. Sidings often have lighte ...

along the

Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , legally Union Pacific Railroad Company and often called simply Union Pacific, is a freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Paci ...

's Roll Industrial Lead, at , approximately northwest is also known as Growler.

References

{{National Register of Historic Places Former mines in the United States National Register of Historic Places in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Populated places in Yuma County, Arizona National Register of Historic Places in Pima County, Arizona Buildings and structures completed in 1880 Mines in Arizona