
Located in the rugged hills of Arizona, a town once brimmed with enough vice and debauchery to earn the title of the “Wickedest Town in the West.” That town is none other than Jerome. Today, Jerome is a quaint, historic destination, but during its peak season in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a hotbed of danger, outlaws, and intrigue.
Founded in the 1870s as a copper mining camp, Jerome quickly grew into a bustling town. Miners, eager for work and fortune, flocked to the area, and where miners go, saloons, brothels, and gambling dens are sure to follow. By the 1920s, Jerome had earned a reputation where lawlessness reigned supreme. With its population swelling to around 15,000, the town was rife with crime and corruption.
Jerome’s notoriety wasn’t just about petty crimes. The town’s infamous bordellos, like the House of Joy, and the rowdy saloons, such as the Spirit Room, were the scenes of countless brawls, shootouts, and scandals. The town was so wild that it reportedly had its red-light district, which operated with impunity under the watchful eye of corrupt officials.
One of the most infamous characters to roam Jerome’s streets was Cuban Queen, a powerful and feared madam who ran one of the town’s most successful brothels. Her establishment was notorious for its extravagance and the high-profile clientele it attracted. This Cuban Queen’s influence extended beyond her business; she was a central figure in the town’s shadowy underworld.
Jerome was not without its moments of drama and disaster. The town was plagued by fires that repeatedly razed its buildings. The worst fire, in 1894, nearly destroyed Jerome entirely, but the resilient town rebuilt each time, growing ever more notorious. The fluctuating fortunes of the copper mines also brought economic highs and lows, adding to the town’s tumultuous character.
The Great Depression marked the beginning of the end of Jerome’s wicked days. As copper prices plummeted, mines closed, and the population dwindled. By the 1950s, Jerome was nearly a ghost town, with only about 50 residents remaining. However, the spirit of its wicked past lingered, drawing tourists and history buffs intrigued by its scandalous legacy.
Today, Jerome is a lively artist community and a designated National Historic Landmark. Visitors can wander through its haunted buildings, explore the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, and soak in the tales of its infamous past. Jerome speaks to the Wild West’s lawless allure, a place where the echoes of its wicked history continue to captivate and inspire.