You’ll find all kinds of ruins scattered around Arizona, whether they’re ancient dwellings that date back 800 years or a quirky attraction no longer operating in the state. And, while we could wax poetic about some of the really well-known locations, we do like to focus on places most people don’t know about, and that’s certainly the case with this one strange little spot hiding in one of Arizona’s deserts.
Located about 25 miles east of Florence is the little ghost town of Cochran and its strange coke-oven ruins.
Google Maps The town was founded as a mining camp and received its post office back in 1905. The town lasted for about ten years and gained approximately 100 residents before it shut down.
Not much of the town remains. A few building foundations and some of the strangest ruins you might ever set your eyes on.
Desert Modern/Flickr These are the coke ovens, a set of beehive-shaped kilns used to manufacture “coke”.
The “coke” mentioned here isn’t the same as the drink (or drug). Instead, this is coke that is produced from coal by baking it at a high temperature until it reaches a high carbon level. The end product - coke - was then used for smelting ore or softening metals for blacksmiths.
Stahlkocher/Wikimedia
At one point in time, people were able to visit the coke ovens by hiking or driving ATVs to the site, but it is now located on private property, so we don’t recommend trying to visit them!
Desert Modern/Flickr However, you can see them virtually through videos! This one from Youtuber R. Burnie shows the ovens during a trip and you’ll even get a peek inside!
Are there any other strange ruins you’ve seen around Arizona? We have plenty of old ghost towns and abandoned places, so there’s bound to be more lurking around the state! If you want to see more strange sights around the Copper State, read The 13 Strangest Things To Ever Be Found In The Arizona Desert.
Google Maps
The town was founded as a mining camp and received its post office back in 1905. The town lasted for about ten years and gained approximately 100 residents before it shut down.
Desert Modern/Flickr
These are the coke ovens, a set of beehive-shaped kilns used to manufacture “coke”.
Stahlkocher/Wikimedia
However, you can see them virtually through videos! This one from Youtuber R. Burnie shows the ovens during a trip and you’ll even get a peek inside!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Cochran, AZ 85137, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona Ruins October 02, 2021 Tori Jane What are some interesting abandoned places in Arizona? Arizona is a truly fascinating state; as part of what was once the “old west”, it’s got more than its fair share of ghost towns, derelict mining towns, barely-living mining towns, and more. Some of the most interesting now-abandoned places in the Copper State include several buildings in the ghost town of Jerome. For example, there’s the old jail, the post office, and the remains of the old Bartlett Hotel. The entire town is a blend of half-abandoned, half-vibrantly alive, and it’s truly an interesting place to visit. The Casa Grande Domes are famous for their interesting abandoned aesthetic, and it’s a popular spot for desert parties. There’s the old stop along the I-40 known as Two Guns, east of Flagstaff, where the old gas station and some buildings still remain. If you know where to look, you’re sure to find all the coolest abandoned places in the state. What are the creepiest places in Arizona? Along with a wild-west history comes some tales of violence and bloodshed. Arizona is no stranger to dark or tragic backstories, and there are plenty of places where you can still seem to feel the past. For example, the old San Carlos Hotel in Phoenix is a nice vintage hotel nowadays, but back in the 1920s, it was home to at least one infamous suicide. It’s said to be haunted to this day, both by startled guests and over-it employees. The entire town of Jerome is pretty spooky, but most especially at night – and during the Halloween season when all the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. There’s also the Apache Death Cave, located near Two Guns, where a group of Native Americans was trapped and slaughtered long ago. Need some more creepy Arizona in your life? Take a look at this list of nine of the most haunted places in the state!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona Ruins
October 02, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some interesting abandoned places in Arizona? Arizona is a truly fascinating state; as part of what was once the “old west”, it’s got more than its fair share of ghost towns, derelict mining towns, barely-living mining towns, and more. Some of the most interesting now-abandoned places in the Copper State include several buildings in the ghost town of Jerome. For example, there’s the old jail, the post office, and the remains of the old Bartlett Hotel. The entire town is a blend of half-abandoned, half-vibrantly alive, and it’s truly an interesting place to visit. The Casa Grande Domes are famous for their interesting abandoned aesthetic, and it’s a popular spot for desert parties. There’s the old stop along the I-40 known as Two Guns, east of Flagstaff, where the old gas station and some buildings still remain. If you know where to look, you’re sure to find all the coolest abandoned places in the state. What are the creepiest places in Arizona? Along with a wild-west history comes some tales of violence and bloodshed. Arizona is no stranger to dark or tragic backstories, and there are plenty of places where you can still seem to feel the past. For example, the old San Carlos Hotel in Phoenix is a nice vintage hotel nowadays, but back in the 1920s, it was home to at least one infamous suicide. It’s said to be haunted to this day, both by startled guests and over-it employees. The entire town of Jerome is pretty spooky, but most especially at night – and during the Halloween season when all the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. There’s also the Apache Death Cave, located near Two Guns, where a group of Native Americans was trapped and slaughtered long ago. Need some more creepy Arizona in your life? Take a look at this list of nine of the most haunted places in the state!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is a truly fascinating state; as part of what was once the “old west”, it’s got more than its fair share of ghost towns, derelict mining towns, barely-living mining towns, and more. Some of the most interesting now-abandoned places in the Copper State include several buildings in the ghost town of Jerome. For example, there’s the old jail, the post office, and the remains of the old Bartlett Hotel. The entire town is a blend of half-abandoned, half-vibrantly alive, and it’s truly an interesting place to visit. The Casa Grande Domes are famous for their interesting abandoned aesthetic, and it’s a popular spot for desert parties. There’s the old stop along the I-40 known as Two Guns, east of Flagstaff, where the old gas station and some buildings still remain. If you know where to look, you’re sure to find all the coolest abandoned places in the state.
What are the creepiest places in Arizona?
Along with a wild-west history comes some tales of violence and bloodshed. Arizona is no stranger to dark or tragic backstories, and there are plenty of places where you can still seem to feel the past. For example, the old San Carlos Hotel in Phoenix is a nice vintage hotel nowadays, but back in the 1920s, it was home to at least one infamous suicide. It’s said to be haunted to this day, both by startled guests and over-it employees. The entire town of Jerome is pretty spooky, but most especially at night – and during the Halloween season when all the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. There’s also the Apache Death Cave, located near Two Guns, where a group of Native Americans was trapped and slaughtered long ago. Need some more creepy Arizona in your life? Take a look at this list of nine of the most haunted places in the state!
