La Paz

La Paz is a ghost town situated along the western edge of La Paz County, Arizona, and stands as a reminder of the rapid rise and fall of early gold mining settlements in the region. When gold was discovered nearby in 1862, the town expanded quickly, drawing prospectors and settlers to the area. Its name — Spanish for 'peace' — was chosen to honor the feast day of Our Lady of Peace. At the time of its founding, the site fell within the New Mexico Territory, but it became part of the newly created Arizona Territory after President Abraham Lincoln established that territory in 1863. In a fitting historical echo, the county that now bears the town's name, La Paz County, was itself formed in 1983 and adopted the name in recognition of the old settlement.

Visitors today will find little infrastructure or formal access, and the site is best approached with a sense of historical curiosity rather than expectations of preserved structures. It suits those interested in photography and sightseeing in a remote desert setting. Given the area's desert climate, spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for a visit, while summer heat can be intense.