Vulture Mine

 mine, historical building, historic site

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The remains of a fabulously rich goldmine that pulled up more than $200 million in gold. "It's like a western movie come to life," says Bernadine McCollum, president of the Vulture Mine Preservation and Restoration Association. The history of the beginning of the city of Phoenix begins here. The mine was discovered in 1863 and named by Henry Wickenburg. It kept operating until 1942, when the U.S. government closed all mines that weren't part of the war effort. The Vulture Mine was one of the earliest major mining operations in Arizona. As the population of the area grew, the enterprising Jack Swilling saw profits in a rising demand for food. He raised money from Henry Wickenburg and others to build an irrigation system along the Salt River - the start of a tiny town called Phoenix.