Red Rover Mine: Arizona's Mining Legacy.
Discover the rich history of Arizona's most significant mining site. Explore the Spanish-era workings and remarkable mineral heritage near Cave Creek.
The Red Rover Mine, formerly known as the Bridal Chamber, stands as one of Arizona’s most historically significant mining sites, located approximately 32 miles northeast of Phoenix near Cave Creek and Bloody Basin.
Photo credit to Mindat.org
A journey through Arizona's mining history
The Red Rover Mine stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of Arizona's early miners. It's said it was discovered in 1822, and established in 1883, this site represents the heart of regional mining development.
Intact machinery tells stories of hard work
Mineral veins reveal geological secrets
Spanish-era claims mark historical significance
Red Rover Mine Stats
A report generated in 1967 documented $778,734 in recorded production, with approximately 20,000 tons of ore extracted over the mine’s operating history. However, the report estimated that the total historical production, including unrecorded output, likely exceeded $1 million, suggesting that the actual yield was even greater than documented.
Total Estimated Output
In Recorded Production
tons of ore extracted
Mineral Wealth of Red Rover
Known for gold, silver, and especially prolific copper, the mine’s 10-16 foot orebody yielded high-grade mineral veins in limestone and porphyry.
Who owns Red Rover Mine
Mining History & Notable Owners
Evidence of early Spanish mining activity is followed by documented claims from 1883, and substantial operations began in the late 19th century. The mine reportedly supported a town of several hundred at its peak.
Between 1882 and 1917, the mine produced approximately $200,000 in copper and silver. In 1916, Frank A. Gillespie invested $600,000 to modernize the operation, installing advanced equipment and building a flotation mill, though it was unsuited to the ore quality.
The town has changed hands many times in the last thirty years and the mines have even been very sporadically operated. Today, the property is owned by The Tozier Family. Please contact us to obtain permission before going onto the mine property.
Own a Piece of Arizona Mining History.
Rights to the Red Rover Mine come with the ownership of nearby land. Part of this historic land is now for sale to anyone interested in securing a true piece of Arizona mining legacy.
Red Rover Mine Today
Historical Moments Frozen In Time
Today, the abandoned Red Rover mine offers a chilling glimpse into the past, a time capsule frozen in the moment of its sudden closure. The mine itself is a treasure trove of preserved artifacts, including a fully intact original machine shop, its equipment still submerged under hundreds of feet of water. The Red Rover’s claim to fame, and its entry into the Guinness Book of World Records, is due to the remarkable longevity of the light bulbs within the mine, still functional despite the passage of decades and the harsh conditions.
Further into the mine, a complete tool shed, still stocked with its original implements, sits a considerable distance down the main mine shaft, offering insight into the daily workings of the miners. The processing mill, once a hub of activity, has succumbed to the elements, leaving behind only the crumbling wood and foundational remnants as silent witnesses to its former glory.
Scattered throughout the site are various buildings, eerily preserved, appearing as though the occupants had simply vanished in an instant. Furnishings remain in place, offering a poignant view of their former lives. Even a piano sits untouched within one of the buildings. The first building one encounters holds a particularly striking detail, a pair of steer horns still mounted on the wall. This glimpse into the past may not be complete, but it shows us a way of life many people had in the past.
The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum in Phoenix has many artifacts from the town and mine of red rover, including a 1930s air-operated mucking machine.
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