b'KENTUCKY CAMP Today there are five adobe buildings at the town site.bring their own food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, It is located along the Arizona Trail in PimaThe largest building was probably the headquartersdish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, and County near the community of Sonoita. Kentuckyfor the Santa Rita Water and Mining Company.garbage bags. Reservations at Recreation.govCamp\'s story begins in 1874. After finding goldLater, that same large building became the main nearby the population in this area surged toranch house as the land was used for cattle ranching.SWANSEAmore than 500 miners. Migrants from back eastThe small building behind the headquarters buildingLocated about 30 miles east of Parker, near the named gulches in the area after their respectivewas used to process gold samples, evidenced byArizona-California border is a well-preserved homes, giving Kentucky Camp its name. By theliners that came from an assay furnace. Opposite aghost town under preservation by the Bureau of 1880s, most of the gold deposits ran out, and thesmall house where mining engineer James StetsonLand Management (BLM). population thinned almost as quickly as it hadmay have lived are the remains of a ruined barn grown. In 1904, the Santa Rita Water & Miningand another small adobe house remains at the farThe town site sits surrounded by large mountain Company (SRW&MC) built the current buildingsend of the site. It\'s since become a popular place forranges in every direction. Its even a steep, curvy, at Kentucky Camp but abandoned the camp inmountain bikers and runners seeking a quiet trailand hairy drive into the town site (so we dont 1910 after struggling to stay afloat following thewith wide-open space. Visitors can camp on the siterecommend going when its been raining, or with tragic death of its founder in 1905. In 1989, thewith the right permits; however, Kentucky Campa trailer or large RV). Once nestled into the town, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) took ownership of thealso is unique in that you can rent one of two cabinsyou cant help but feel safe and thousands of miles land. When the USFS acquired the property thefor $75 a night as part of the USFS program, "Roomsaway from anyone and anything.buildings were in bad shape. The roofs had to bewith a View." The cabin can accommodate up to repaired first to keep water run-off from contactingfive people, and is equipped with two twin beds, aNamed after the Welsh hometown of founder the crumbling adobe walls. The project was madetwin bunk bed, and a full-sized futon. The kitchenGeorge Mitchell, Swansea\'s serious mining possible by a $10,000 donation from the producershas basic amenities including a small refrigerator,operations began in the mid-1880s. By 1909, a post of the 1989-1992 TV show The Young Riders,microwave, hot plate, coffee pot, dishes, utensils,office was established and the town swelled to a which happened to be shooting in the area. cookware, and a table and chairs. The cabin haspopulation of 750. Just a year later, the first railroad propane heat. Outside, there is a grill andarrived from Bouse, connecting Swansea to the picnic table for outdoor dining. A vault toilet, arest of the world. The town had the normal saloons stall for solar showers, and an outdoor sink areand restaurants but also featured a car dealership, located on-site. The cabin has electricity, but noa lumber company, a moving picture theater, an indoor running water. Guests mustinsurance agent, and an electric light company.At the entrance to the town, the BLM has a kiosk with flyers, maps, historical photos, and information. You can spend days wandering and exploring the historical gems hidden within Swansea, particularly the massive mine shafts, finding portions of the old railroad and the ramshackle brick buildings from long ago. The old copper mining town still has evidence of the massive copper smelter and dust chamber, which was a rather large and impressive brick building. The building has been fenced off, but you cant miss the undeniable presence this building had in the town. The mine shafts are all covered for safety purposes. These heavy-duty safety measures allow you azoffroad.net24 April 2023'