Clifton and Morenci were established during the late 1800s as mining towns. They are in eastern Arizona, near the New Mexico border. Clifton, incorporated in 1909, is the seat of Greenlee County and the birthplace of the famous Apache warrior chief Geronimo. Morenci boasts the largest open pit copper mine in the United States. Elevations range from 3,464 feet in Clifton to 4,838 feet in Morenci.

Principal Economic Activities

Mining and mineral processing dominate the economic picture in the Clifton-Morenci area, employing upwards of two-thirds of the workforce. The government and education sectors are also major employers with approximately 200 employees. Clifton and Morenci are trade centers for tourists driving the popular Coronado Trail or touring the historic Chase Creek business district. There are a number of retail and service firms.

Scenic Attractions

At the heart of the Clifton Townsite Historic District is Chase Creek with some of the best-preserved examples of Arizona Territory architecture. In its heyday, Chase Creek’s numerous saloons and gambling halls gave Clifton a reputation as the “town tougher than Tombstone.”

The spirit of those days remains, but with modern amenities. A museum and walking tour enhance the experience. The Coronado Trail cuts a path north through the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest which rises to 9,000 feet at the Mogollon Rim. The San Francisco River flows through Clifton while the Gila River runs south through the grass-covered meadows of the Gila and Duncan valleys. Eagle Creek and the Blue and Black Rivers form local recreation sites. Popular activities are hunting, fishing and rockhounding.

Community Facilities

The community offers a broad range of facilities. There are a variety of dining establishments, two libraries, one historical museum, two swimming pools, a splash pad, more than a dozen parks, a bowling alley, several tennis courts and numerous community centers.