Crown King is an old mining town located in the Bradshaw Mountains 28 miles from Mayer. There is no town museum as such, though various people are collecting local artifacts hoping that there will be a repository for them in the future.
The library itself has no artifacts, but, since it is in the same building as the school, we listed the following items that are the property of the school. People interested in these artifacts should contact the School Board or the librarian, Sue Hite.
History of the Area
Located in the Bradshaw Mountains, arguably one of most mineral-rich areas in Arizona, Crown King is a small hamlet nestled into a mountain. The population might be scant, but, unlike many other towns that were thriving during Crown King's own heydays, Crown King still exists. The small community has a store and gas station as well as a school and a branch of the Yavapai County Library. Modern residents are frequently connected with the Forest Service, but there are many summer residents who seek relief from the Valley heat, and retired people who find the area inviting.
Once the site of the boom of discovery of various metals, including gold and silver, Crown King's past is similar to that of other communities that blossomed and disappeared. The early residents were primarily miners-mostly men and a handful of women, often including a wide-eyed, young schoolteacher. In addition to mining-related businesses, there were recreational centers and, of course, stores that met the miners' needs.
Crown King was at its height in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In order to serve community and business interests, Frank Murphy built a rail line from Mayer to Crown King as well as one from Mayer to Poland, another thriving mining community on the north side of the mountains. The railroad is gone, but a bumpy, winding road still leads up to Crown King from Mayer, and another road, that is safe only for high clearance vehicles, comes up from the Prescott side.
The forests around Crown King hold many artifacts left over from the mining days. Most have been ravaged by time, weather, and human scavengers; nevertheless, adventurous people still find delight in these mountains, with their brilliant vistas and reminders of the boom days of mining.
The school and library contain some important evidence of the history of Crown King and Yavapai County.
ARTIFACTS
Furniture
Desk, child slant-top, iron, wood, school desk (3)
Desk, teacher's oak desk, wooden, medium sized, could date from 1916 when the school was built
Musical T&E
Piano, Lombard, purchased used in 11-9-39 for $65, probably
dates from 1920s
Piano bench, probably dates from 1920s
Art
Painting, by Hooley, original, 3' x 3', picture of Crown King School, October 1989
Print, large framed art prints by Charles Russell and Frederic Remington (not numbered) similarly framed in good, wooden frames, date of acquisition uncertain (10)
Wall hanging, quilted, 3' x 3', made by school children, 1990
Documentary artifact
Book, assorted textbooks from 1950s
Certificate, framed, Arizona Student 8 MM Film Festival, Third Place Crown King Elementary Division 4-6
Certificate, Framed State Champion Physical Fitness Award for Certificate of Recognition to Crown King School c. 1990
Globe, 18", on wooden stand, date uncertain
Map, large hanging series for school room, probably from 1950s
Plaque, AECT Student 8 MM Film Festival 2nd Place award to the producers of "The First Bicentennial Flag"
Ribbon, second place, Prescott Christmas Parade
Trophy, Phelps Dodge, 6", Arizona State Fair 1963 to the Crown King School
Trophy, Phelps Dodge, 3", Arizona State Fair 1966 (doesn't say what for)
Trophy, 18", Arizona 8 mm Film Festival Special Award 1976, "Water in Arizona,"
Trophy, 10", Arizona 8 mm Film Festival Special Award 1976, First Price Grades K3 Non-Fiction
