11 Best Historic Small Towns in the West

“Prescott, Arizona, is only 90 minutes from Phoenix, with great weather and amazingly friendly people. It has loads of hiking trails and several small lakes for fishing and kayaking. Historic Whiskey Row and Courthouse Plaza have great restaurants and bars, many pet friendly. There’s also the Sharlot Hall Museum living history programs and the Museum of Indigenous People. We visited 20 years ago then retired here, and are loving every minute of it.” —Marcy Meyer

“I admit I am biased toward Jackson, California, since six generations of my family are buried in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Jackson is home to two major gold mines, the Kennedy and the Argonaut, and many of my ancestors worked those mines. My great-great-uncle Eugene Buscaglia perished in the Argonaut Mine disaster in 1922 along with 46 others. The Amador County Museum [has an exhibit detailing the tragedy].” —Victoria Melin

“I enjoy living history, and it’s thriving in Auburn, California. The vibe transports me instantly to the California Gold Rush era. The 1850s Old Town Post Office recently reopened as a welcome center and mini museum with volunteers dressed in period costumes. A short walk away, a giant miner statue offers a memorable photo op. A courthouse (with a museum inside) beckons nearby. And the guided walking tour on Saturdays can spark newfound appreciation for a small corner of California that bustles with a mix of the modern and times long gone.” —Gus Thomson

“McCloud, California, was originally owned by the McCloud River Lumber Company. The history of the town, and the railroad that served one of the largest lumber mills in the West, runs deep with fascinating lore. The historic McCloud Hotel once housed the mill workers, the old cookhouse is now an event venue, the McCloud River Lumber Company office is now a bed-and-breakfast with dining inside the old vault, and the old mercantile is now a restaurant and hotel. I was born in the McCloud Hospital in 1956. It still stands on a hill overlooking the town and is known to be haunted!” —Kristy Cottini

“Set in picturesque high-desert mountains, Pioche, Nevada, boasts many historical buildings left in near-original condition. I am part of the team restoring the historic Gem Theater, and the lit neon marquee is quite a sight to behold in the evenings. I love it, and I will be so happy to show films again in this building.” —Melissa Clary

“Some of the best-preserved Victorian architecture can be found in rural Ferndale, California. Be sure to visit the historic commercial district along Main Street as well as drive around the outskirts of town to view some impressive mansions. Ferndale Museum provides a nice history of the town and its past residents. Like many others, we fell in love with Ferndale on our first visit, kept returning, and eventually escaped the San Francisco Bay Area to settle here.” —Matt Knowles

“Spring City, Utah, is an exceptionally well-preserved pioneer town, settled principally by Scandinavians. They built beautiful stone farmhouses and magnificent barns. In the 1970s, two forward-thinking men, Craig Paulsen and Tom Carter, convinced the small population, one by one, not to tear down their buildings. Today, Spring City is an art colony, still largely agricultural, and it is a National Register Historic District. We’ve attended mutton roasts, taken horse-drawn carriage rides, and found treasures at a little antique shop housed in a neighbor’s garage.” —Kim Duffy

“The history of Wickenburg, Arizona, is rooted in mining, and downtown has been preserved in its original character. There are also several dude ranches and rodeo arenas, and the town is alive with cowboys during rodeo season [November through April]. Gold Rush Days in February bring a parade, large artisan fair, and carnival. Many enjoy the ghost tours and visiting the Jail Tree, where outlaws were chained until the sheriff came up from Phoenix.” —Janice Koehler

“When you drive up the mountain to Virginia City, Nevada, it looks like you have entered a movie studio lot where they are about to shoot Westerns. Tourists can visit gold and silver mines, and there’s an old opera house, plenty of old saloons, and even casinos with old-school slot machines. But this is not a facade. One of the most fascinating adventures is visiting the old cemeteries.” —Alfred Spielmann

“A former mining town, Jerome, Arizona, is literally on the side of a mountain. It has become an artist town with fun restaurants and bars and unique shops. You can walk the entire town in a couple of hours, but take your time. Enjoy the good food and friendly people.” —Jeff Young

“Once called ‘Hangtown,’ Placerville, California, was the center of the Gold Rush and still has historic buildings and mines you can tour. Wagon Train Days have taken place every June for the last 77 years. An actual wagon train travels from Nevada to Placerville, and when it arrives, it marks the start of Golden History Days. You might see a (fake) gunfight on Main Street or mustachioed sheriffs looking for scoundrels. Gold Bug Park has a mine to explore, and there’s also a restaurant and bar on the Main Street site where hangings took place during the Gold Rush.” —Doug Brown