Vulture City, Arizona
Located just south of Wickenberg and Prescott, Vulture City grew up next to the Vulture Mines, discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg and one of the most profitable gold mines in Arizona. A couple ghost rock mines are located nearby, although little ghost rock has been found. By 1877, the town has been through one big boom, during which the population rose to nearly 2000 inhabitants. At the current time, the population is down to about 500 and many businesses lining the streets of the town are closed. "Highgrading", theft of the high grade ore, is common at the Vulture. Those strung up on Vulture City's hanging tree mainly find themselves there for murder, rape, and highgrading.
In May of 1876, after producing over 2.5 million dollars, the Vulture Mining Company was so far in debt that they were forced to shut down, despite the fact the ore was still rich. However, a good mine can’t be kept down, which brings prospective buyers to town every so often. The lack of a mine owner means that a lot of "independent" miners are currently working the mine, and gunfights in the streets over finds are common. The assay office is open, but the rest of the mine offices have been closed, waiting for an owner.
