Christmas, Arizona, is a historic copper mining community and former company town located in Gila County, Arizona, United States. Situated in the Globe-Miami mining district, it was once a bustling settlement centered around significant copper extraction operations, but today stands largely as a ghost town with remnants of its industrial past.
History
The origins of Christmas date back to December 25, 1902, when prospectors staked the first copper claims in the area, leading directly to the town's festive name. The Christmas Copper Company was incorporated in 1905, initiating substantial mining activities. The company developed a robust operation, including a smelter, and the town grew around the mine to support its workforce. A post office was established in 1905, though its operation was intermittent, reflecting the boom-and-bust cycles characteristic of mining towns.The mine and town changed hands several times throughout the 20th century. Key operators included the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company, which acquired the property in 1918, and later the Anaconda Copper Company. Peak production periods saw the town supporting hundreds of residents, with facilities such as a company store, a school, and housing for employees. The population fluctuated significantly with the global demand for copper and the economic viability of extraction.
Mining operations were often sporadic, heavily influenced by copper prices and labor availability. During World War II, production increased significantly due to wartime demand. However, by the latter half of the 20th century, dwindling ore reserves and economic shifts led to a terminal decline. The Anaconda Copper Company ceased operations in 1982, marking the final major closure of the Christmas Mine and effectively ending the community's reason for existence.
Geography and Location
Christmas is located in the southeastern part of Gila County, Arizona, approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the town of Winkelman and about 20 miles (32 km) south of Globe. It lies in a rugged desert mountainous region, characteristic of Arizona's copper-rich mineral belt. The elevation is approximately 2,200 feet (670 m) above sea level. Access to the area is primarily via unpaved roads branching off State Route 77.Current Status
Following the permanent closure of the mines, Christmas became a ghost town. Most of the original buildings have either deteriorated, been removed, or stand as dilapidated ruins. The site is now largely deserted, with remnants of mining infrastructure, tailings piles, and a few crumbling structures serving as stark reminders of its past as a once-thriving industrial community. The land where Christmas once stood is primarily private property, and little remains of the former townsite.See Also
- Winkelman, Arizona
- Hayden, Arizona
- Globe-Miami, Arizona
- Ghost towns in Arizona