De Soto Copper Mine, Crown King Rd, Arizona

The DeSoto Mine is a former copper mine and camp high on the slopes of the Bradshaw Mountains above present-day Crown King Road. This copper mine produced $3.2 million and featured an aerial tramway connecting it to the railroad. The mine’s location on the hillside provided unique problems -- and interesting solutions -- in terms hauling ore off site. Today, foundations, tramway towers, and numerous shafts can be found at the end of a four mile 4x4 road. DeSoto Mine and the area surrounding it was first prospected in the 1870s. It wasn’t until September of 1875 when a rich outcropping was found on the northeast face of the present-day mine site. The mine was first called the Buster Copper Mine, but would later become known as the DeSoto. The property was slowly developed and worked over the next 25 years. It wouldn’t become largely profitable until the railroad arrived. Mine info found on: https://azoffroad.net/desoto-mine