Abutting the plaza to the west are several residential streets lined with historic houses that were built for the white mine workers (houses for the Mexicans and Indians were located on the other side of town). The miners had a choice of 4 house designs… most chose the Spanish revival style. Today many of the houses have been enlarged (original houses were less than 1500 sq ft.) but most retain the rock walls, chain link fencing and small detached metal shed. Several larger houses built for the Company officials and professionals have survived and are located on an adjoining hill.

A few blocks from the downtown is one of the largest open pit copper mines in the world. The mine, operated by Phelps Dodge, remains a source of speculation for the town; it closed in 1986 but may reopen when copper becomes lucrative again.

At 150 years old, Ajo is the fourth oldest community in Arizona and its collective memory is archived in the Ajo Historical Museum. It is located in the historic St. Catherine’s Indian Mission and is staffed with knowledgeable volunteers who are serious about preserving the towns past. There is a maze of exhibits ranging from memorabilia related to General John C. Greenway to a 45 star US flag. An old dentist’s office (including a sizeable jar of teeth), a blacksmith shop and part of an old print shop tell some of Ajo’s story. We were fortunate in that an old time resident of Ajo, a 70 year old Hispanic gentleman who was the towns first post officer general, came in and was generous in sharing stories of the early days of the town. He explained that, based on the prevailing attitudes of the times, Whites, Mexicans and Indians were segregated with separate jobs at the mine, neighborhoods, classrooms and times to use communal facilities such as the swimming pool.

The Trailer Gypsies ... resting in the shade of an old mining rail car.

After its early beginnings as a booming copper mining town, Ajo’s population has settled to around 4000 year round residents with the addition of 2000 snowbirds each winter. To attract snowbirds it advertises itself as "where the summer spends the winter". Snowbirding here is definitely an acquired taste … just not a taste suited for us.

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