Episode 13

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Published on:

18th Apr 2024

Jerome, Arizona Interview

Jerome, Arizona - a historic town in the mountain of Arizona - Jerome is about 100 miles north of Phoenix and 45 miles southwest of Flagstaff along Arizona State Route 89A between Sedona to the east and Prescott to the west.

The town was self-titled the largest Ghost Town (or Ghost City) in America - and one that I like to consider a "Living Ghost Town" - The population has fluctuated over the years hitting 15,000 at its high point, and averages around 400-500 today.

It was famous for its mines - and with the mining business - miners, saloons, brothels, and a whole host of other "wild west" activities to go along with an old west mining town. It had built such a notorious reputation that one newspaper dubbed it "The Wickedest Town in the West" - and another paper called it "The Wickedest Town in America!"

In this episode - we have the honor of interviewing Jim Schooley (woodworker, toymaker, barista - and whole list of other awesome titles to accommodate his talents!) Jim lived in Jerome, Arizona -during the artist movement and renaissance (as one could call it). Here is Jim's interview. "Let's Keep History Alive!"

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About the Podcast

Midwest Ghost Town
Midwest Ghost Town is about exploring the history of abandoned towns and places in the Midwest and around the world- most importantly - we are here to tell the story of these places and the people who lived there.

About your host

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Daniel Cline

Dan is the host of "Midwest Small Town" a podcast shining a light on Small Town U.S.A., exploring where to go, stay, and play across the American Midwest—while sharing the stories that make the Heartland unforgettable. Hosted by Dan, the show dives into local history, hidden gems, and the backroads most travelers miss.
Dan’s passion for the region runs deep. After years of documenting abandoned places and forgotten history on his original channel, Midwest Ghost Town, he merged that love of storytelling into one home—Midwest Small Town. From thriving main streets to long-forgotten ghost towns, each episode celebrates the people, places, and past that define the Midwest.
New episodes drop weekly, inviting listeners to slow down, explore deeper, and discover the stories waiting just beyond the highway.