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Clarkdale, Arizona

Clarkdale
Town
Clarkdale, Arizona
Public Works Building
Public Works Building
Motto: "A Place That Makes Sense"
Location in Yavapai County and the state of Arizona
Location in Yavapai County and the state of Arizona
Clarkdale is located in the US
Clarkdale
Clarkdale
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°46′N 112°3′W / 34.767°N 112.050°W / 34.767; -112.050Coordinates: 34°46′N 112°3′W / 34.767°N 112.050°W / 34.767; -112.050
Country United States
State Arizona
County Yavapai
Government
 • Mayor Doug Von Gausig
Area
 • Total 7.5 sq mi (19.4 km2)
 • Land 7.3 sq mi (19.0 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation 3,545 ft (1,081 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 4,097
 • Estimate (2014) 4,165
 • Density 466.9/sq mi (180.3/km2)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
ZIP code 86324
Area code(s) 928
FIPS code 04-13890
Website Town of Clarkdale

Clarkdale is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The Verde River flows through the town as does Bitter Creek, an intermittent tributary of the river. According to the 2010 census, the population of the town was 4,097.

Clarkdale, formerly a mining town, is now largely a retirement community with an eye for the arts.

Clarkdale was founded in 1912 as a company smelter town by William A. Clark, for his copper mine in nearby Jerome. Clarkdale was one of the most modern mining towns in the world, including telephone, telegraph, electrical, sewer and spring water services, and was an early example of a planned community. The Clark Mansion, a local landmark, was built in the late 1920s by William Clark III, Clark's grandson and heir to the United Verde Copper Company. The structure, east of town across the Verde River near Pecks Lake, was destroyed in 2010 by a fire of "suspicious" origin.

The town center and business district were built in Spanish Colonial style, and feature the Clark Memorial Clubhouse and Memorial Library, both still in use. The Clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire original town site is also on the National Register as the Clarkdale Historic District.

The mine and smelter closed in 1953, and Clarkdale entered hard times. Clarkdale was bought and sold by several different companies. In 1957, Clarkdale was incorporated as a town. The 1959 construction of the Phoenix Cement Company plant restored a modest prosperity to the community.

Clarkdale was a segregated town for much of its early history. Mexican and Mexican-American laborers were restricted to living in Patio Town (see neighborhoods), with a separate swimming pool and park; the town swimming pool was marked "whites only." Additionally, Upper Clarkdale was designated for engineers and executives, while Lower Clarkdale was for the "working class."


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