Midwest Ghost Town Midwestghosttown

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