Bradshaw Mountain Railroad

This former railroad, now the current road to Crown King, spanned 36 miles through the Bradshaw’s.

Construction of the second part of the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad, the Crown King branch, was now underway. This 25 mile line was very expensive and difficult to build. When crews worked through Cedar canyon (between Mayer and Cleator) they had no difficulties. They crossed the ranching country west of Cordes Station (now Cordes Junction) along the Black Canyon Stage Route. About 12 miles from Mayer, construction crews reached Crazy Basin, the toughest part of the line.  Crews established a construction camp at the north end of Crazy Basin, below the DeSoto Mine. This camp had a turntable and station and was named after George Middleton, the owner of the DeSoto Mine. The railroad changed the name of the station to Middelton and it later became the main camp for the Bradshaw Railroad and the powerhouse of the DeSoto. Nearly 600 men were needed to finish the line. Work was hindered during the winter of 1903-1904. Crews had to deal with snow, blizzards and intense cold. The last 13 miles of the line required numerous steep grades, switchbacks, trestles and a tunnel. Finally, in May of 1904, scheduled trains began arriving in the depot at Crown King. An interesting note: the location of Crown King was moved by the forming of the railroad from between the Crowned King Mill and mine to its current location. This occurred because of the busyness the railroad caused.

Proposals for other rail lines throughout the area were hampered by the economic conditions of the times. The lines once owned by the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway came under the control of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company. However, by 1911, many mines throughout the Bradshaw’s closed boding bad news for the railroads. A daily train was now no longer necessary. World War I created a temporary need for certain minerals which made opening back up some of the mines, such as the DeSoto, profitable. Railroad traffic between 1916-1917 were unmatched by previous traffic. As WWI ended, so did the mines. In 1926, a final trip was made for friends and residents alike to say goodbye to the Bradshaw Mountain Railway. In 1927, the tracks along the Crown King Branch were removed. On November 30, 1932, the Poland Branch was partially closed and later on April 10, 1939, it was closed completely.

Much of the old railroad bed is used for Crown King Rd. (Forest 259 Rd.). In fact before the trestles were removed, brave drivers would drive over these in order to get back home to Crown King. However, when they were removed, the road was modified to make the road drivable. A collapsed tunnel is the site of an observation spot of Hell’s Hole, with views up to 50 miles. This trail is a very scenic and amazing trip filled with a lot of history!

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