Silver Bell

Tucked into the Silver Bell Mountains of Pima County, Arizona, this corner of the desert holds the layered remnants of two separate communities that share a name but different eras. The older settlement, called Silverbell, took shape in 1904 and had faded away by the early 1930s. A second, distinct town named Silver Bell was built nearby in 1954 and operated for three decades before being abandoned in 1984. Copper mining drove both communities into existence, and the end of that mining activity ultimately emptied them out.

Visitors today are stepping into a genuine ghost town, though the sparse documented record means expectations should be kept modest. The desert setting in Pima County is the draw as much as any specific structure or artifact. Photography and sightseeing are the most realistic pursuits here.