Charleston - Arizona Ghost Town

CHARLESTON

NAME: Charleston
COUNTY: Charleston
ROADS: 4WD
LEGAL INFO: T21S, R10E
CLIMATE: Mild winter hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winter or Fall

COMMENTS: Fairly difficult to find as it is hidden among thick mesquite bushes. Video available, see below.
REMAINS: Some adobe foundations and half walls.

Charleston's post office was established April 17, 1879 and was discontinued October 24, 1888. Charleston was the milltown for nearby Tombstone. When the mines in Tombstone flooded, work stopped in Charleston. By 1899, Charleston was already a ghost town. Charleston has been used as a battleground for war games many times over the years. Much of the town has been destroyed through these games. Jim Burnett, Charleston's Justice of the Peace was rumored to run his court house "his way". He decided what fines to charge offenders with and all proceeds went directly to his pocket. What is left of Charleston is severally hidden among thick mesquite bushes today. Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin VIDEO AVAILABLE	Charleston in 1885 Courtesy Arizona Historical Society Charleston Today Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Tom McCurnin Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Keith Davis Charleston Courtesy Karl Kasarda Charleston Courtesy Karl Kasarda Charleston Courtesy Karl Kasarda

Charleston's post office was established April 17, 1879 and was discontinued October 24, 1888. Charleston was the milltown for nearby Tombstone. When the mines in Tombstone flooded, work stopped in Charleston. By 1899, Charleston was already a ghost town. Charleston has been used as a battleground for war games many times over the years. Much of the town has been destroyed through these games. Jim Burnett, Charleston's Justice of the Peace was rumored to run his court house "his way". He decided what fines to charge offenders with and all proceeds went directly to his pocket. What is left of Charleston is severally hidden among thick mesquite bushes today.