Sometime in the late spring or early summer, I visited the town of Clifton.
It almost qualifies as a ghost town and by that I mean that most of the town shops have been abandoned and a lot of the buildings have fallen down, but people still live there.
I always find towns like this sad, but especially a place like this when the surroundings are so beautiful.
It sits nestled in a mountain and it was built because of the mining that went on there and is still ongoing, albeit a little farther away in a neighboring town.
The first part of town has a railroad track that divides the main street, as you can kind of tell by the following pictures.
On one side there is the courthouse:
and neighborhoods...
On the other side are shops, including this hotel:
The old girl has changed quite a bit looking at a picture from inside the hotel.
So has the town.
You can see more pictures of what Clifton used to look like "here".
The couple that owns the Hotel Reardon were kind enough to invite us in to take a look. They're in the process of fixing it up and they allow dogs, so if you're ever up the way and need a place to stay, they'd be happy to have you (They don't have a website, but their number is: 480-599-2819 :)
Farther down, on the same side as the hotel, are more houses, which we decided to walk alongside and take pictures.
I was pleasantly surprised that most of the homes were being restored and still had their old windows intact.
Moving on down the road, we came across the railroad station, which is still beautiful and well taken care of.
Even further down, there are a couple of main streets that are in disrepair and we couldn't figure out if they were part of Clifton or not, but we're assuming they are. They were mostly just streets of sad abandoned buildings:
Except for this church turned house:
All in all Clifton is still beautiful in it's own way and it looks like there are a few people that want the town to thrive once again.
I truly hope it does :)
xo
rue
Sad when a town kind of folds in on itself.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
So much history in the town!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that people are restoring the homes...I hope the whole town has a renaissance!
I often wonder how people survive in these small towns. Driving through Colorado years ago, my husband and I will pass small towns or communities, beautiful country and we would love to move there, but how can we make a living? I hope too, there is a renaissance in Clifton.
ReplyDeleteLove your AZ travels, Kathleen in Az
That's a big problem! When the mining dried up, so did the town. It's happened everywhere. But I think of places like Prescott and Flagstaff and people seem to be able to live there, with no jobs and that town isn't any less cute. Who knows why some towns survive and others don't.
Deletexo
Oh those old buildings could just tell stories couldn't they. I like the front two-story verandas on them. They look so welcoming. Glad you had fun.
ReplyDeleteYour photos tug at my heart. So much history there and good bones for renovations. The economy definitely changes how and where we live.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Love the pictures! It would be hard to choose 1 house as my favorite. So many neat and unusual features that make them individual instead of the carbon copy homes we see row after row today!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to post... love it so much when you do.
diana in illinois
Thank you Diana :)
DeleteAnd yes, it would be very hard to choose!
xo
I hope this old town will be restored also. It has such charm. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ~ FlowerLady
It is sad to see towns die. It looks like there were some great bones of houses and buildings to restore.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's like two separate towns, the homes are so charming and looked cared for...hopefully, one day the shops will be restored as well. Neat trip, thanks for taking us along! xo
ReplyDeleteI love the steps on the church-turned-house. And I always wonder about places like this. Where do all the people go??
ReplyDeleteSo many towns have fallen into this state. It's sad but hopefully will come back one day.
ReplyDeleteOh my, it is a shame to see towns and cities going down like that. I love some of the bigger older homes that I am sure were amazing in their time and probably could be again if this town could come back. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love to tour towns like this looking into their past, and viewing spots of change for a better future. Enjoyed this post --- great photos. Sally
ReplyDeleteSome of those homes were just amazing! I would love to find an old home to restore (but would really appreciate it if the plumbing and electric had already been updated of course ;) ).
ReplyDeleteOh my - that's really something else!
ReplyDeleteI sure enjoy seeing your travels - I know I shall never go to any of those places, so I am living vicariously through you.
Thanks, Rue. Hugs. ♥
Rue this is so sad to see this beautiful town with no money for up keep. Glad at least some of the residents there are trying to keep those homes up. Such a charming little town. Unless some industry or chains come in there is no money probably for renovation to happen. That is always a shame that little towns like this are fading away. Glad you showed us this sweet town.
ReplyDeleteHi Rue, There are so many towns in America like this. It saddens me too. I often think that maybe with people working more from home, small towns will see a come back. Hope so. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful town. So sad that it's half ghost town.
ReplyDeleteOh Rue.. I hope it thrives again too!
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice that people hang in there. I wouldn't mind living in a place like that myself.
Thanks for sharing these photos. There are lots of things I would never have seen if not for your wonderful photos and stories.
Crap - I had a comment typed out and hit a wrong button - I don't know if it posted somewhere or disappeared into thin air!
ReplyDeleteAnyway - thanks for sharing your trip with us. I hope that town makes a comeback. Such lovely homes that just need a little TLC.
Growing up in the Southwest,these towns were all around me. I do hope this one can survive.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little town. I would love to live in a place like that and try to bring it back to life!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace,
Pam
It’s always so sad to see these declining towns. At the same time I like to look at those old houses with so much character that you usually see in these places and think about how much fun it would be to fix them up.
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you.
Melissa
Clifton reminds me of a small town that we like to visit a few times each year, I have mixed feelings about it not progressing, and /or staying the same. Clifton seems so quaint, and it looks as though a few citizens want to upgrade it, I love the idea of allowing our fur babies, our Jack goes with us almost everywhere we go.
ReplyDeleteI also read your thoughts on your last post and agree with all that you said. Your honesty is so refreshing!
Thank you for visiting me and for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment.
Blessings,
Sue
A quaint little town to explore! What fun to stroll the streets and see all of the houses, I enjoyed seeing all your pictures of the houses and their various states of repair. I hope along with you that the town can rebuild itself!
ReplyDeleteI know how much you enjoy your visits to those types of towns - my daughter, Shannon, is the same - she loves to visit old ruins and houses in disrepair. Those types of places make me so sad, people put up McMansions all over the world instead of putting the money into these old houses and buildings that have such character and just need someone to love them!
ReplyDeleteWow, I would enjoy exploring this area. I also like that the people are restoring, but keeping the windows. A can tell the area has a lot of old town charm. Hope the couple can make the hotel work out.
ReplyDeleteCarla
All those old homes! I love visiting towns like that.
ReplyDeleteI hope the town revives too, Rue. With so many people who want homes, so many crowded up into cities, isn't it a shame that they can't just move there and find a way to support themselves and bring this town back to life? I can see why this town got to you, Rue, you who love a home so much. I know you'd like to see each house there in loving hands again.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just wish you were a millionaire and could go in and fix every little house in town?
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy seeing all of your photographs, and I do hope the town makes it and revives, wouldn't that be just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThere are some great looking buildings especially the railroad station.
I hope you are enjoying October, can't believe we are half way through the month already!
All the best Jan
That’s my brothers hotel!! :D he is currently restoring it.
ReplyDelete