Midwest Ghost Town

Ruby has an interesting story - the history in this episode follows a seral murder that took place in the 1920's -

There was an update as of June 3, 2024 - That Ruby (privately owned) was open for tours for the last 30 years - but this recently changed and Ruby is now officially closed, and no longer open (according to their website).

Their website is www.rubyaz.com - there wasn't an explanation on the website - but as of the recording - they were not closed - and this has since changed.

Just making sure - for people to follow along on the website if they have any further questions.

Jerome, Arizona - a historic town in the mountain of Arizona - Jerome is about 100 miles north of Phoenix and 45 miles southwest of Flagstaff along Arizona State Route 89A between Sedona to the east and Prescott to the west.

The town was self-titled the largest Ghost Town (or Ghost City) in America - and one that I like to consider a "Living Ghost Town" - The population has fluctuated over the years hitting 15,000 at its high point, and averages around 400-500 today.

It was famous for its mines - and with the mining business - miners, saloons, brothels, and a whole host of other "wild west" activities to go along with an old west mining town. It had built such a notorious reputation that one newspaper dubbed it "The Wickedest Town in the West" - and another paper called it "The Wickedest Town in America!"

In this episode - we have the honor of interviewing Jim Schooley (woodworker, toymaker, barista - and whole list of other awesome titles to accommodate his talents!) Jim lived in Jerome, Arizona -during the artist movement and renaissance (as one could call it). Here is Jim's interview. "Let's Keep History Alive!"

Jerome, Arizona - a historic town in the mountain of Arizona - Jerome is about 100 miles north of Phoenix and 45 miles southwest of Flagstaff along Arizona State Route 89A between Sedona to the east and Prescott to the west.

The town was self-titled the largest Ghost Town (or Ghost City) in America - and one that I like to consider a "Living Ghost Town" - The population has fluctuated over the years hitting 15,000 at its high point, and averages around 400-500 today.

It was famous for its mines - and with the mining business - miners, saloons, brothels, and a whole host of other "wild west" activities to go along with an old west mining town. It had built such a notorious reputation that one newspaper dubbed it "The Wickedest Town in the West" - and another paper called it "The Wickedest Town in America!"

One legendary story from William Wingfield - even tells a story of two Wild West legends meeting face to face in "Jerome - The Wickedest City" by William Wingfield

One thing for sure - Jerome, Arizona lives up to its reputation and is worth a bucket list trip to visit and tour.

Thank you to John - for letting me interview him for this episode - #11

John is the "Rural Adventurer" on YouTube and covers, Ghost Towns, Small Towns, and Heritage History Photographs on his channel.

You can find him @ruraladventurer on YouTube -

Pictures in Capa, South Dakota were taken and used by permission by Rural Adventurer.

We also have a new music resource we are using for the channel - and excited to share three of the songs used in this episode.

(Song 1)

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/wild-west-blue

License code: ANIKSFUES1TYCVEI

(Song 2)

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/cory-alstad/the-wound-between-us

License code: YU5DWDH2KHAI06JZ

(Song 3)

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/john-hayes/no-home

License code: QSCQ2L2Q8XPRN89X

Come with us now as we explore the story of "Jug Town, Illinois" and a partial history of the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I & M) Canal

I & M article -

C. C. A. (n.d.). I & M Canal Shaped History. Www.csu.edu. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://www.csu.edu/cerc/researchreports/documents/IMCanalShapesHistory2004.pdf

Songs used for the episode**

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/wild-west-blues

License code: ANIKSFUES1TYCVEI

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/majestic-whispers

License code: JHPU1XGHRWJUHDFQ

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/cory-alstad/the-wound-between-us

License code: YU5DWDH2KHAI06JZ

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/travelers-hymn

License code: CMB6UX0ADVRZZ6FQ

I'm starting a podcast along with my video documentary series "Top 5 Ghost Towns" - this is the Missouri Podcast version.

We cover Five Ghost Towns - and like every Ghost Town - "How do you RANK THEM" - honestly, you don't - but we did our best to list the ones that we felt had an interesting story to go along with the podcast - we mention a couple more in the episode.

But if you are from Missouri and would like to offer a couple more - let us know - we'd likely expand as we continue on.

Our Mail Bag - had one of our listeners reach out - who happens to be a professional photographer, and travels internationally to ALOT of the places mentioned in our podcast. One of these - was a Ghost Town we covered last season in Namibia. Stephen - if you are listening or reading. Thank you for reaching out - and as promised. Check out his website below - he has ALOT of great material - and I'm hoping to work with him on some future project (crossing my fingers Stephen!) www.travelswithstephen.com

Thanks again - and let's keep history alive1

In the late 1800s - magnetic springs were discovered in Cherokee, Iowa - this water was thought to have healing properties for many ailments, and people traveled from long distances to experience the water - which later had a sanitarium and spa added on - called "The Fountain House" - there was a lake nearby called "Magnetic Lake", a race track, and grandstands - all housed in a 60 acre park called "Magnetic Park"

Tragedy struck a decade later when the water was depleted by a nearby well - drawing from the same spring. - and leaving the Fountain House and Magnetic Park - abandoned and run down - and later part of history as it was torn down.

Come hear the story of the "Fountain House" in Cherokee, Iowa

Nicodemus, Kansas...the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River.

Celebrating Black History Month (2024) and covering some of the Ghost Towns, Abandoned Sites, Historical Sites and places - represented in African American History

Nicodemus, Kansas was brought to my attention by one of the MWGT community members - as we remember the westward migration following the Civil War - and the history of Kansas (as a Free State).

Celebrating Black History Month here with Midwest Ghost Town -

We're highlighting some Ghost Towns linked with Black History - and want to put a disclaimer that some of these are not considered "zero population" ghost towns - some were neighborhoods - that might exist today with either a smaller population making them "a near ghost town" OR for the sake of history telling the story. Unfortunately, there are a few sad ones with this episode - and not NEARLY covering the history as detailed as it could be (due to making a shorter podcast) - these are stories that deserve to be remembered - we are an open community here at Midwest Ghost Town - if there are any stories or details, please feel free to reach out to me.

Part 2 - covering the lost rubber plantation of the Ford Motor Company - Fordlandia - the rise and fall!

Reference given to Fordlanda: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City - By Greg Landon. - Excellent read if you get the chance - a lot of the background was given from research with Greg's book - plus from many of the same references included in his book - (A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize) -

Disclaimer Note - Fordlandia had a re-population take place around the 2000's - as of 2017 it is populated at 3,000-

It was virtually a Ghost Town (Abandoned Ford Plantation) from the 1940's - through the early 2000s - It's still a fantastic story -

Thanks for following along!

Country Rock - by LiteSaturation found on Pixabay Royalty Free Music - excellent song - check them out.