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Nestled in the rugged eastern Arizona landscape, Clifton stands as a testament to the endurance of mining communities in the American Southwest. This historic copper mining town, situated along the San Francisco River in Greenlee County, has weathered economic booms and busts while maintaining its distinctive character. With a population of approximately 3,700 residents, Clifton represents a diverse tapestry of cultures shaped by its mining heritage. The community is predominantly Hispanic (over 80%), with Anglo, Native American, and other ethnic groups comprising the remainder. What makes Clifton truly unique is its dramatic setting—buildings cling to steep canyon walls, while the town’s industrial heritage remains visible in its historic architecture and the still-operational Morenci Mine nearby, one of North America’s largest copper producing operations. Clifton embodies the resilience of resource-dependent communities and the complex relationship between industry, environment, and cultural identity in the American West.
Today, Clifton honors its complex history through institutions like the Greenlee County Historical Society and the Clifton Historical Museum, housed in an 1913 train station. Annual events commemorating the town’s mining heritage and multicultural past ensure that each generation remains connected to Clifton’s remarkable journey from frontier outpost to contemporary small town.
Long before European settlement, the Clifton area was home to Apache peoples who utilized the region’s natural resources and established trading routes along the San Francisco River. Archaeological evidence suggests human presence dating back thousands of years, with the river valley providing sustenance in the otherwise harsh desert environment.
The modern community’s story began in the 1870s when copper deposits were discovered in the nearby hills. In 1872, a prospector named Henry Clifton staked the first mining claim, giving the settlement its name. The arrival of the Longfellow Copper Mining Company in 1873 marked the beginning of industrial-scale mining operations, transforming the remote river valley into a bustling frontier town.
The construction of the Arizona and New Mexico Railway in 1879 connected Clifton to wider markets, accelerating its growth. The town’s early years were marked by a wild frontier atmosphere, with saloons and gambling halls operating alongside mining operations. This period was also characterized by labor conflicts, most notably the Clifton-Morenci Strike of 1903, when Mexican and European immigrant miners protested discriminatory wage practices.
The Phelps Dodge Corporation’s acquisition of local mining operations in 1921 ushered in decades of corporate mining dominance, a relationship that continues today under Freeport-McMoRan’s ownership of the nearby Morenci Mine. Throughout the 20th century, Clifton weathered devastating floods—particularly those in 1906, 1983, and 1993—which reshaped the physical community but failed to break its spirit.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Southeastern Arizona, Greenlee County (county seat), along the San Francisco River |
| Founded | 1870s as a mining and smelting town |
| Incorporated | 1909 |
| Population | Approx. 3,700 (as of the 2020 Census) |
| Elevation | ~3,470 feet (1,058 meters) |
| Climate | Semi-arid; hot summers, mild winters |
| Known For | Copper mining, historic downtown, scenic canyon location |
| Major Attractions | Clifton Cliff Jail (carved into rock), Chase Creek Historic District, Train Depot, San Francisco River Walk |
| Key Industries | Mining (adjacent to Morenci Mine—one of the world’s largest open-pit copper mines), government services |
| Cultural Significance | Strong mining heritage, multicultural labor history, proximity to Morenci mining operations |
| Annual Events | Clifton Hill Climb, Blues & Brews Festival, Fourth of July Parade |
| Transportation | U.S. Route 191; rail access via Arizona Eastern Railway |
| Education | Clifton Unified School District; close educational ties with Morenci |
| Nearby Natural Sites | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Blue River Wilderness, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area |
| Outdoor Activities | Hiking, historic site exploration, wildlife viewing, scenic drives |
| Community Features | Historic architecture, preserved 19th-century buildings, town park, arts initiatives |
| Regional Significance | Part of Arizona’s Copper Corridor and gateway to remote wilderness areas and mining tours |
Clifton’s cultural identity has been shaped by the convergence of diverse influences—Hispanic, Anglo, European immigrant, and Native American traditions have all contributed to the community’s unique character. This mining town became a cultural crucible where workers from Mexico, Ireland, Italy, China, and Eastern Europe created a distinctly southwestern multicultural society.
The Hispanic influence remains most prominent, with Mexican cultural traditions deeply embedded in community life. Spanish remains widely spoken alongside English, creating a naturally bilingual environment where code-switching between languages occurs seamlessly in daily conversation. Local expressions combine mining terminology with Spanish and English, creating a dialect unique to the Clifton-Morenci area.
Religious traditions reflect this cultural blending. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, established in 1883, serves as both a spiritual center and cultural touchstone, particularly during celebrations like Dias de los Muertos and Las Posadas. Meanwhile, Protestant denominations brought by Anglo miners have maintained their own traditions while adapting to the multicultural context.
Culinary traditions particularly showcase Clifton’s cultural synthesis. Mexican staples like enchiladas and tamales appear alongside Cornish pasties—a food tradition brought by immigrant miners from Cornwall, England. These “underground sandwiches” designed to be eaten during mining shifts have become localized with southwestern ingredients and flavors.
Cultural preservation efforts have intensified in recent decades as residents recognized the value of their multicultural heritage. The Clifton Cliff Jail Museum preserves artifacts from various ethnic communities, while oral history projects conducted through Eastern Arizona College document the experiences of mining families across generations.
As the community has evolved, newer residents have brought additional cultural influences, while technological connectivity has introduced contemporary global culture. Yet Clifton maintains its distinctive character through intergenerational transmission of stories, foods, music, and celebrations that honor its multicultural foundations while embracing changing times.
Clifton’s artistic expression is inextricably linked to its dramatic landscape and industrial heritage. The stark beauty of the surrounding Peloncillo Mountains, the winding San Francisco River, and the striking colors of the open-pit mine have inspired generations of local artists who capture both natural grandeur and human intervention in the landscape.
Traditional craft practices brought by diverse ethnic groups have evolved into distinctive local artistic traditions. Mexican-influenced pottery and textiles, mining-themed metalwork, and practical crafts born of frontier necessity have merged into an artistic identity that values both aesthetics and functionality. This practical approach to artistry reflects the community’s working-class roots and resourceful spirit.
Notable artists from Clifton include David Govedare, whose large-scale metal sculptures reflecting the mining experience have gained regional recognition, and Elena Gallego, whose paintings documenting the changing face of Clifton’s historic buildings preserve architectural heritage through art. Contemporary photographer James Selby has built a significant body of work capturing the intersection of industrial and natural landscapes that define the region.
The Clifton Arts Council, established in 1998, works to promote local artistic expression through regular exhibitions at the Clifton Train Depot Gallery. This converted historic building provides space for rotating exhibits featuring local and regional artists, with particular emphasis on work that engages with themes of place, identity, and heritage.
Art education programs operate through both formal channels like school programs and informal community workshops. The annual “Copper Canvas” program brings working artists to local schools, connecting younger generations with artistic traditions while encouraging innovation. Meanwhile, the “Mine to Gallery” initiative provides studio space for emerging artists in repurposed industrial buildings, literally transforming mining infrastructure into creative infrastructure.
Perhaps most distinctive is Clifton’s tradition of industrial art—creative works fashioned from mining materials and equipment. Sculptural pieces created from discarded machinery parts represent a direct artistic engagement with the community’s economic foundation, transforming tools of production into objects of reflection and beauty.
Clifton’s annual calendar of events serves as a living expression of community values, bringing together residents across generations to celebrate shared heritage, contemporary identity, and collective aspirations. These gatherings strengthen social bonds while preserving cultural traditions that might otherwise fade with time.
This three-day celebration coincides with the anniversary of Clifton’s founding, showcasing the community’s mining heritage through demonstrations of historical mining techniques, equipment displays, and talks by retired miners. The festival features a competition where artists create works using copper as a primary medium, producing everything from jewelry to sculpture. The “Copper Crown” pageant honors individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving local heritage, while educational components ensure younger generations understand the technology and human stories behind the industry that built their community.
This springtime celebration honors the waterway that has sustained life in this arid region for millennia. Traditional blessing ceremonies acknowledge the river’s vital importance, followed by family-oriented activities including fishing competitions, riverside picnics, and environmental education stations. Originally a simple community picnic in the early 1900s, the event has evolved to include conservation components focused on riparian habitat protection. The festival brings together environmental concerns with cultural celebration, reflecting growing awareness of ecological sustainability alongside economic needs.
This arts-focused event celebrates the multicultural artistic traditions that flourish in Clifton’s borderlands context. Local and visiting artists showcase music, dance, visual arts, and crafts representing Hispanic, Anglo, and Native American traditions. The festival features cross-cultural collaborations, with artists working across traditional boundaries to create new expressions of borderlands identity. What began as a small gathering in 1997 has grown to attract visitors from across Arizona and New Mexico, providing economic benefit while strengthening recognition of Clifton as a cultural destination.
This solemn yet celebratory event honors those who lost their lives in mining accidents while recognizing the ongoing contributions of mining families to community life. The day begins with a memorial service at the Miners’ Monument, followed by storytelling sessions where families share personal histories related to mining life. Community service projects focus on assisting retired miners and their families, reflecting Clifton’s commitment to caring for its own. The day concludes with a community dinner featuring dishes from the various cultural traditions that comprise Clifton’s mining heritage.
Established in 1999, this contemporary event embraces Clifton’s dramatic terrain by featuring competitions where participants race up the town’s famously steep streets and stairways. Categories include professional athletes, community teams, and whimsical costumed racers. The festival includes a street fair with local food vendors, craft booths, and live music representing the community’s diverse cultural traditions. This newer tradition has quickly become a favorite among younger residents, who appreciate its combination of physical challenge, community pride, and celebratory atmosphere that showcases Clifton’s unique topography.
Clifton proudly embraces its identity as “Arizona’s Steepest Town,” a nickname reflecting both its dramatic physical setting and the challenging economic landscape it has navigated throughout its history. Local residents often describe themselves as “mountain tough,” indicating a resilience forged through generations of dealing with industrial booms and busts, natural disasters, and geographic isolation.
The community’s architectural character tells its story through built form. Chase Creek Historic District features distinctive territorial-style buildings with false fronts and wraparound porches, while company-built neighborhoods display uniform designs that reflect different eras of corporate planning. Scattered among these are vernacular adobe structures that showcase Hispanic building traditions. This architectural diversity creates a visual timeline of community development and cultural influences.
When describing their community to outsiders, Clifton residents emphasize authenticity above all. Unlike more tourist-oriented Arizona towns, Clifton presents itself as a “real” working community rather than a curated experience. This genuineness extends to social interactions, with newcomers noting the straightforward communication style that values clarity over pretense.
Community values center around family loyalty, work ethic, and mutual support during difficult times. The phrase “Clifton takes care of its own” reflects a deeply held belief that community members should support each other through personal and collective challenges. This ethos manifested clearly during flood recovery efforts and during mining strikes, when neighbors supported affected families regardless of which side of a labor dispute they stood on.
The community maintains a complex relationship with its industrial foundation. While acknowledging mining’s environmental impacts and economic uncertainties, residents express pride in their role producing materials essential to modern life. This nuanced perspective—neither uncritically pro-industry nor anti-development—reflects a sophisticated understanding of the complex realities facing resource-dependent communities.
Perhaps most distinctive is what locals call “canyon perspective”—a worldview shaped by living in a physically constrained space where one must look up to see the horizon. This term describes both literal geographic experience and a metaphorical outlook that acknowledges limitations while constantly seeking broader possibilities beyond the immediate confines.
Clifton operates under a council-manager form of government, with a seven-member town council elected to four-year terms and a professional town manager handling day-to-day operations. This formal structure is complemented by active citizen advisory committees addressing issues from historic preservation to economic development, creating multiple channels for resident input.
The relationship between municipal governance and the mining industry has evolved significantly over generations. Where once the mining company exerted near-complete control over community affairs, today’s governance reflects greater independence while maintaining collaborative partnerships on mutual concerns like infrastructure and emergency services.
Civic participation extends beyond formal government through organizations like the Clifton Community Action Program, which mobilizes volunteer efforts for community improvement projects, and the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce, which advocates for local business interests. The Clifton Community Foundation, established in 2003 after significant flooding, manages charitable funds supporting everything from youth programs to senior services.
Notable community-led initiatives include the Chase Creek Restoration Project, which combined historic preservation with flood mitigation measures, and the Clifton Community Garden, which transformed a vacant lot into productive growing space while teaching traditional gardening methods across cultural traditions.
Technology has introduced new forms of civic engagement, with the “Clifton Community Voice” online forum facilitating dialogue on local issues and the “Documenting Clifton” digital archive collecting community stories and images. These digital tools have proven particularly valuable in engaging younger residents and maintaining connections with former community members who have relocated but maintain strong ties to Clifton.
Perhaps most distinctive is Clifton’s tradition of “problem-solving circles,” an informal governance mechanism where stakeholders with different perspectives gather to address community challenges outside official channels. This practice, which draws from both Hispanic community traditions and mining culture’s practical approach to problem-solving, often produces creative solutions that are later implemented through formal governmental processes.
Copper mining has dominated Clifton’s economy since its founding, creating both prosperity and vulnerability as the community rides the boom-and-bust cycles of global commodity markets. The nearby Morenci Mine, operated by Freeport-McMoRan, remains the largest employer, providing jobs with wages significantly above regional averages while generating tax revenue supporting community services.
Beyond mining, Clifton has developed a diversified small business ecosystem centered on the revitalized Chase Creek Historic District. These enterprises include family-owned restaurants serving traditional foods, specialized retail shops offering locally-produced crafts, and service businesses catering to both residents and visitors. The Clifton Hotel, a restored historic property, anchors a growing hospitality sector catering to travelers seeking authentic experiences off Arizona’s more traveled tourist paths.
Local entrepreneurship reflects creative adaptation to economic realities. The “Copper Crafters Collective” markets locally-produced items incorporating recycled mining materials, while “Clifton Adventure Outfitters” capitalizes on growing interest in outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding wilderness areas. Several remote workers and small technology companies have established operations in Clifton, attracted by affordable real estate and improving digital infrastructure.
Economic challenges include dependence on a single industry vulnerable to global market fluctuations, limited diversification options due to geographic isolation, and competition from larger commercial centers in Safford and beyond. The community has responded with initiatives like the “Clifton Economic Futures” planning process, which identified sustainable tourism, remote work infrastructure, and value-added processing of agricultural products as promising development directions.
Distinctive local products include copper jewelry and art objects created by craftspeople using traditional techniques, specialty food products incorporating local ingredients like prickly pear and mesquite, and handcrafted furniture using reclaimed wood from historic structures. These products, marketed through the “Made in Clifton” brand, represent efforts to develop economic activities aligned with cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.
Clifton Unified School District serves the community with elementary, middle, and high schools that function as centers of both formal education and community life. The district’s “Mining to College” initiative reflects local priorities, providing specialized preparation for both mining careers and higher education opportunities, recognizing that students may choose either path or move between these sectors throughout their working lives.
Educational programming deliberately incorporates local context, with curriculum units on mining technology, water resource management, and multicultural history connecting classroom learning to community realities. The high school’s award-winning “Copper Chronicle” oral history program pairs students with elder community members to document personal narratives of Clifton’s development, creating intergenerational learning opportunities while preserving community memory.
Eastern Arizona College maintains a satellite campus in Clifton offering associate degrees and technical certifications, with programs in industrial technology directly aligned with mining employment opportunities. The college also offers courses in cultural heritage preservation, small business management, and environmental studies, supporting broader community development goals beyond the mining sector.
The Clifton Public Library serves as an informal educational hub, offering not just traditional library services but also hosting community workshops on topics ranging from traditional craft techniques to modern digital skills. Its “Knowledge Exchange” program facilitates skill-sharing among community members, allowing individuals to serve as both teachers and learners outside formal educational structures.
Most distinctive is the community-wide embrace of “place-based education” principles, which use local environment, economy, culture, and history as an integrated context for learning across subjects. This approach helps students develop stronger community connections while building critical thinking skills through engagement with the complex realities of their hometown.
Clifton’s relationship with its natural environment reflects both appreciation for the region’s stark beauty and practical utilization of its resources. The town’s physical setting in a narrow river canyon surrounded by mountain wilderness creates a dramatic backdrop for daily life while presenting challenges for development and transportation.
Traditional knowledge of local plants for food, medicine, and practical applications persists through intergenerational transmission and formal documentation efforts. The “Desert Wisdom” project has recorded traditional uses of desert plants like mesquite, creosote, and various cacti, preserving knowledge developed by indigenous inhabitants and early settlers. These traditions continue in practices like the annual community mesquite bean harvest, which brings residents together to gather and process this traditional food source.
Outdoor recreation traditions reflect both cultural heritage and adaptation to the challenging landscape. Hunting and fishing practices combine contemporary sporting elements with subsistence traditions established by earlier generations. The annual “River to Rim” hike traces routes established by miners traveling between settlements, now maintained by volunteer trail stewards coordinating with public land agencies.
Environmental conservation efforts acknowledge the community’s complex relationship with industry. The Clifton Riparian Restoration Initiative works to rehabilitate San Francisco River habitats affected by both mining activities and urban development, while the “Responsible Resources” educational program promotes understanding of sustainable mining practices and their importance to both environmental and economic health.
Climate change has intensified community focus on environmental resilience, particularly regarding water resources and wildfire risk. The Clifton Climate Adaptation Plan, developed through a community-wide planning process, addresses vulnerabilities while building on traditional knowledge of desert survival and resource management that has sustained human habitation in this challenging environment for generations.
Clifton’s food traditions represent a delicious intersection of cultural influences, environmental adaptation, and industrial history. Mexican culinary traditions form the foundation, with dishes like chile colorado, tamales, and flour tortillas featured prominently in both home cooking and local restaurants. These traditions blend with foods introduced by European mining families, creating distinctive hybrid dishes.
Perhaps most emblematic is the “Clifton Copper Pasty,” an adaptation of the Cornish miners’ pasty filled with local ingredients including green chiles, pinto beans, and local beef. This portable meal, originally designed for consumption during mining shifts, has evolved into a community signature dish served at celebrations and available in local eateries.
Wild foods harvested from the surrounding desert connect contemporary residents to indigenous foodways and early settler adaptations. Seasonal gathering of prickly pear fruits, mesquite beans, and wild greens continues as both practical food production and cultural practice. The annual Prickly Pear Festival celebrates this tradition with harvesting demonstrations, cooking competitions, and education about desert food resources.
Restaurants preserving cultural food traditions include La Paloma Café, serving traditional Mexican border cuisine since 1944, and the Miners’ Diner, offering dishes representing various ethnic traditions within the mining community. These establishments function not just as eateries but as living museums of culinary heritage, with recipes passed down through generations.
Community celebrations invariably center around food, with particular dishes associated with specific events. The Miners’ Memorial Day features “lunch bucket” meals recreating what workers carried underground, while San Francisco River Days highlights fish preparations reflecting various cultural traditions. These food-centered gatherings strengthen community bonds while ensuring culinary knowledge transfers across generations.
Physical spaces where community interactions unfold reveal much about Clifton’s values and social patterns. The historic Clifton Plaza serves as the formal center for community gatherings, hosting everything from holiday celebrations to political forums. Its gazebo and surrounding benches provide space for both planned events and informal socializing, while nearby Veteran’s Park offers green space for recreation and reflection.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church functions as both religious center and cultural gathering place, particularly for the Hispanic community. Its parish hall hosts celebrations marking life transitions, while church grounds provide space for larger cultural events throughout the year. Similarly, the American Legion Post 28 serves as an important gathering place connecting veterans across generations while hosting community service events.
Informal gathering places hold equal importance in community life. PD’s General Store features a coffee counter where retired miners gather each morning to share news and memories, while the San Francisco River Walk attracts families for evening strolls and spontaneous conversations. These unplanned interactions strengthen community bonds through regular, casual contact among diverse residents.
Perhaps most beloved is the Chase Creek sidewalk, lined with benches where residents gather during cool evenings to escape summer heat while socializing. This tradition, dating back generations, represents Clifton’s distinctive form of “street life” adapted to desert climate realities. As one longtime resident explained, “We don’t need fancy community centers—our sidewalks and porches are where community really happens.”
Each gathering place carries accumulated stories and memories that enhance its significance. The steps of the historic courthouse have witnessed everything from mining strike negotiations to marriage proposals, while “Flood Marker Park” commemorates community resilience through markers showing water levels from historic floods, making it both recreational space and visual reminder of shared historical experiences.
Clifton has faced existential challenges throughout its history, developing remarkable resilience through collective response to adversity. Economic vulnerabilities stemming from dependence on copper mining have caused recurring hardships during market downturns, most severely during the copper price collapse of the 1980s when unemployment reached 40%. The community responded by establishing small business development programs and creating the Greenlee County Economic Development Foundation to pursue diversification opportunities.
Natural disasters have repeatedly tested community resolve, with major floods in 1906, 1983, and 1993 causing significant destruction. Rather than abandoning vulnerable areas, residents rebuilt with improved flood mitigation systems while preserving historic character. This “build back better” philosophy reflects deep attachment to place and unwillingness to surrender community identity to external forces, whether economic or environmental.
Social challenges include limited healthcare access, with the nearest hospital 35 miles away in Safford. The community-established Clifton Health Services Cooperative works to recruit medical professionals while providing transportation assistance to distant medical facilities. Similarly, youth outmigration threatens long-term sustainability, addressed through the “Clifton Futures” scholarship program that supports education with incentives for returning to apply skills locally.
Perhaps most significant has been the community’s adaptation to changing relationships with the mining industry. As mechanization reduced mining employment and corporate consolidation shifted decision-making further from local control, Clifton has negotiated new arrangements that maintain economic benefits while building greater independence. The Community Benefits Agreement with Freeport-McMoRan established in 2012 formalized corporate contributions to community development while ensuring local voice in decisions affecting Clifton’s future.
Stories of resilience are preserved and celebrated as core community narratives. The “Rising from the Flood” mural project visually commemorates recovery efforts after the devastating 1983 flood, while the annual “Perseverance Awards” recognize individuals who exemplify community resilience in their personal and civic lives. These stories serve not just as historical record but as templates for addressing future challenges.
Clifton approaches its future with pragmatic optimism, seeking balance between preserving authentic heritage and embracing positive change. The community’s approach is perhaps best captured in its informal motto: “Honoring our mining past while building beyond it.”
This philosophy manifests in initiatives like the Clifton Cultural Heritage Zone, which combines historic preservation with adaptive reuse of significant buildings. Rather than freezing the historic district as a museum piece, this approach encourages compatible new businesses and housing within historic structures, maintaining architectural character while supporting economic vitality.
Technological adaptation represents another area where Clifton balances tradition and innovation. The Digital Clifton initiative has improved broadband infrastructure to support remote work opportunities while also digitizing historical records and creating virtual tours of historic sites. This approach uses modern tools to both preserve heritage and create new economic possibilities.
Environmental sustainability efforts similarly connect past and future. The Clifton Community Energy Project draws inspiration from early mining-era water power systems while developing modern renewable energy applications appropriate to the desert environment. Meanwhile, the Heritage Gardens Network preserves traditional agricultural knowledge while exploring desert-adapted cultivation methods for a changing climate.
Residents express diverse hopes for Clifton’s future, but common themes emerge: maintaining authentic community character, achieving greater economic diversity while honoring mining heritage, strengthening intergenerational connections, and developing greater resilience against both economic and environmental challenges. As retired miner Manuel Ortega expressed, “We don’t want Clifton to become something it’s not. We want it to become more fully what it already is.”
What defines Clifton goes beyond physical structures or economic foundations—it resides in the intangible qualities that create deep attachment to this challenging yet beloved place. When asked what makes their community special, residents consistently mention the “canyon solidarity” that transcends cultural and economic differences.
“We argue about everything, but when someone needs help, none of that matters,” explains lifelong resident Maria Hernandez. “That’s the true Clifton spirit—we face hard times together, no matter our differences.” This sentiment echoes across generations and cultural backgrounds, suggesting a core community value that persists through economic and social changes.
Environmental attachment also features prominently in residents’ reflections. “The way the light hits those canyon walls at sunset—that’s something that gets in your blood,” notes artist James Wilson. “People who leave always talk about missing that particular quality of light.” This sensory connection to place creates bonds that remain even among those who have relocated elsewhere.
Perhaps most significant is the community’s sense of participating in an ongoing story larger than individual experience. “We’re just one chapter in a long book,” reflects teacher Eleanor Sanchez. “Indigenous people, miners, our generation, and those who’ll come after—we’re all part of Clifton’s story. There’s something powerful about knowing your place in that continuing narrative.”
This perspective—connecting past, present, and future while embracing both challenges and possibilities—represents the essence of Clifton’s enduring spirit. It is a community that understands its limitations yet remains unconvinced of their finality, continually rewriting its story while remaining grounded in the bedrock values that have sustained it through nearly 150 years of change.
