1864 - 1979

In 1863 Jacob Snively, founder of Gila City, and right hand to Sam Houston, avenger of the Alamo, following blazes left on the saguaros by Mexican and Conquistador predecessors, came to Castle Dome, and within 15 years, Castle Dome City's population rivaled that of nearby Yuma.

In 1871, the Floral Temple mine within the district had the distinction of being the second patented mine in Arizona. The Castle Dome Mine with 7 shafts was patented in 1876. In 1878, Castle Dome Mine built the world's largest wagon, with a capacity of 20 tons. The wagon required a team of forty horses or mules to pull.

The mines in the district proved so rich they helped sustain centuries of off-and-on enterprise. The Government's need for lead brought another boom to Castle Dome during WWI. After falling silent during the Great Depression, the town sprang to life again in the early 1940's thanks again to the need for lead. During WW2 over 9,000,000 pounds of lead ore was mined out of the area, leading Castle Dome to be considered one of Japan's top targets, if they had long range bombers.

In 1993 Allen and Stephanie Armstrong bought the property, and salvaged much of the buildings and artifacts located in and around the Museum.

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Show me all markers in:  Yuma, AZ  |  Yuma County  |  85365  |  Arizona  |  United States of America

Flora Temple Mine
Camp Laguna
World War II Bridge Test Site
Italians at the Yuma Test Branch
In Memory of Harold and Ethelind Woodhouse
Antelope Hill Campsite
Site of Mission San Pedro
Picacho
Red Top Wash Bridge
Picacho Mines

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