Cerbat, AZ

Gold and silver deposits were found in the Cerbat Mountains during the 1860s. Eventually, several towns begun to spring up as miners and prospectors began digging into the mountains in search of their wealth. Many of the mining camps were very isolated and making it into the settlements and prospects were often very dangerous.

Soon three mines were developed including the Esmeralda, the Golden Gem, and the Vanderbilt. Before Cerbat even had a post office it was named the county seat of Mohave County in 1871. On December, 23, 1872, the town was finally able to send and receive mail from its own post office. In 1873 it lost its short lived county seat status to nearby Mineral Park. Cerbat never had more than a hundred residents in its isolated location, yet it did have a doctor and a lawyer.

A story is told of the Hualapai Indians who, in 1863, took the weapons of three miners as they were working in their mine shaft. One miner was shot, and the others were killed by rocks the Indians threw on top of them.

Mining continued into the nineteenth century but the town began to die. By 1912, its post office had closed.

Today, the Golden Gem Mill and head frame still stand among scattered debris. Nothing else is left of this once vibrant city. According to some reports, caution should be utilized in exploring this area as there is a deep, uncovered shaft not far from the base of the mill.

Cerbat is nine miles northwest of Kingman on U.S. 93 at a historical marker near Milepost 62. Here, you get off the highway on a dirt road, heading east for 0.7 mile, then left for 0.6 mile, then right again for another two miles. The last stretch of this road requires a high clearance vehicle or a willingness to walk.

Location

35.303478° -114.139717°

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