History of Clarkdale: Arizona's First Master-Planned Community

William A. Clark on the Verde Mix

How Clarkdale Began

Some towns grow slowly over generations. Others appear almost overnight — built with a vision so bold it reshapes an entire region.

Clarkdale is one of those towns.

Perched at the base of Cleopatra Hill along the Verde River, Clarkdale is widely recognized as Arizona’s first master-planned community. It began not as a mining camp or dusty settlement, but as something far more ambitious: a carefully designed town in the heart of Arizona’s copper country.

A Town Built on a Vision

In the early 1900s, copper mining in nearby Jerome was booming. Senator William A. Clark, owner of the United Verde Mine, envisioned a modern smelter facility in the Verde Valley to process the ore being pulled from the mountains above. But he didn’t want just an industrial site — he wanted to build a town.

A perfect town.

Clarkdale was planned from the ground up to include amenities that many cities didn’t yet have. From the beginning, residents enjoyed electricity, sewer systems, telephones, clean spring water, and tree-lined streets — all remarkable features for Arizona in the early 1910s.

This wasn’t a temporary mining camp. It was meant to be a thriving, permanent community.

Rails, Bricks, and Rapid Growth

Before homes could be built, the region needed rail access. A 40-mile rail line — the Verde Valley Railroad — was constructed to connect the smelter site with major rail routes. The first train arrived carrying structural steel, followed quickly by hundreds of workers who would transform the valley.

What happened next was extraordinary.

By early 1913, construction was happening at a breathtaking pace — reportedly one brick house per day. To meet demand, a local brickyard produced up to 100,000 bricks daily.

Within months, Clarkdale had:

• Schools and utilities

• Warehouses and businesses

• Stockyards supporting agriculture

• Parks and plans for playgrounds

• A growing population of workers and families

A true town had taken shape.

The Landmark That Defined the Skyline

Every town has a symbol. For Clarkdale, it was the smelter smokestack.

Completed in 1914, the massive structure rose 400 feet into the sky, making it one of the tallest structures of its kind in the world at the time. Visible from miles away, the stack became a defining landmark of the Verde Valley — and a symbol of the region’s copper legacy.

In 1915, smoke first rose from the stack as the smelter officially began operations, marking the moment Clarkdale fully stepped into its role as a major industrial hub.

A Community Designed for Living

Clarkdale wasn’t just industry — it was community by design.

The town featured:

• Broad streets and a central plaza

• Distinct upper and lower neighborhoods

• Company-built homes for residents

• A library and clubhouse (opened in 1927)

• Dozens of small businesses serving a growing population

By the mid-1910s, Clarkdale had more than 2,000 residents and over 50 businesses.

For decades, the town thrived alongside the copper industry that gave it life.

From Company Town to Historic Treasure

After World War II, copper demand declined and the smelter closed in 1953. But Clarkdale’s story didn’t end — it evolved.

In 1957, Clarkdale officially incorporated as a town, preserving the community that had been carefully planned decades earlier.

Today, the original townsite is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Clarkdale Historic District, and many of the early buildings still shape the character of the town.

Want to Dive Deeper into Clarkdale’s History?

This post was inspired by the research and storytelling of historian Drew Desmond, whose blog Prescott AZ History explores fascinating stories from around the region.

If you’d like a more detailed look at the early days of Clarkdale’s founding and development, we highly recommend reading his article: The Birth of Clarkdale, Arizona Click here for the full article.

Clarkdale Today: Where History Meets Adventure

More than a century after its founding, Clarkdale still reflects the spirit of its beginnings — thoughtful design, strong community, and deep ties to the landscape.

Visitors today can walk the same streets envisioned by its founders, explore historic landmarks, and experience a town that continues to reinvent itself through art, outdoor adventure, and Verde Valley charm.

Clarkdale began as a bold experiment in building the perfect town. Today, it remains one of Arizona’s most beautifully preserved and welcoming historic communities.

Explore Clarkdale’s History in Person

Want to continue the journey through Clarkdale’s past? A visit to the Clarkdale Historical Society & Museum is the perfect next stop. Located in the town’s historic business district, the museum offers exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that bring Clarkdale’s smelter-town story to life.

The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM, making it an easy addition to a weekend visit to town.Learn more at: clarkdalemuseum.org

Ready to see history in real life? Plan your visit and experience Clarkdale for yourself.

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