Chloride is in Western Arizona . It is in Mohave County. The town is located in the foothills of the Cerbat Mountains. You can get to Chloride from Kingman by taking U.S. Highway 93 north out of town, until you come to the Chloride turn off. After the turnoff, you will travel approximately 20 miles before you reach town.

Overview:
Chloride is one of the oldest continuously inhabited mining communities in Arizona . Today Chloride's population is 400. The town sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The warm desert climate has a winter low Temperature of 40 degrees and summer high Temperature of 105 degrees. People sometimes refer to Chloride as the "Gem of Cerbats." The town offers clean air, friendly neighbors and old west charm.

Community Features:
One attraction you absolutely can't miss is a performance from the "Immortal Gunfighters of Chloride." This band of gunfighters gathers at high noon on the first and third Saturdays of each month for a display you won't soon forget. The gunfight takes place in Cyanide Springs, an old west town built by locals. Even the lumber used for constructing this 1860's town is authentic. Builders used lumber found at nearby century old buildings. Following the gun battle, a vaudeville show begins in one of the town's buildings named the Melodrama Theater. Chloride residents volunteer their time to promote the Wild West. Another stop in town is the Jim Fritz Museum. The museum includes six buildings that have been purchased to preserve the past. The new home of Jim Fritz, a local, has furnishings dating from 1918 to 1925. It is a great place to soak up pioneer life.

There are two outdoor activities that are within a stone's throw of town. Both Windy Point and Pack Saddle campgrounds offer spectacular views and great camping areas.

Events:

Saint Patrick's Day March
Black Powder Days April
Donna Days May
Old Miners' Days June

History:
It began back in the 1840's, when prospectors canvassed the area in search of minerals. Minerals are exactly what they did find. Silver, gold, lead, zinc and turquoise were all in the mountains around where Chloride is today. Even the town's name came from the silver Chloride discovered here.

Although many knew home of the riches in the area, Chloride was a difficult place to reach. The Hualapai Indians protected this land, making it impossible for prospectors to search. Many years passed, before the Army troops came in and controlled the tribe.

In 1862, silver was discovered. The mine was called "Silver Hill." During the time of the discovery, there were already approximately 75 mines operating in the surrounding area.

During Chloride's boom period, there were estimated nearly 2,000 people living in town. Chloride was large enough to be the county seat for Mohave County in 1871. In the same year, Chloride established its post office. Today, the post office is noted for being the oldest post office in Arizona . The Butterfield Stage served Chloride from 1868 to 1919. The Santa Fe Railroad left Kingman and made its way to Chloride from 1898 to 1935. The town was growing.

By the 1930's, the richest mine in the area was the Golanda. This mine was located between Kingman and Chloride. It was estimated that the Golanda had produced six and a half million dollars in ore. Later on, the Tennessee Silver Mine surpassed the Golanda and became one of the area's riches mines.

In 1944, the mines were forced to close. The cost of materials and labor were not worth the price of the mineral. After the mine closures, Chloride was considered to be by many a ghost town.

However, the town proved everyone wrong. Today, Chloride is a town of retirees and business owners. The goal of the residents is to preserve the past. Visitors come to Chloride to experience the old west. There are shops, arts and crafts studios and cafés. The town prides itself on the preservation of buildings like the Jim Fritz Museum and the old jail. Even the fire department shows off its historic piece. The 1939 Ford Engine is a part of the Chloride Volunteer Fire Department. The Chloride Volunteer Fire Department is also noted as the oldest volunteer fire department in Arizona .

Chloride is a town from the past that is living in the future.