Seneca

Opened in 1971, ‘Cinema Park’ — or the resort at Seneca Lake was quickly abandoned

However, later in the 1970s, the tribe defaulted on the loan and just as quick as it was opened, the resort at Seneca was abandoned. It is unclear why exactly this occurred. Perhaps it was lack of business or traffic. Nevertheless, the buildings were left to rot. Today, they remain, heavily vandalized just off of US-60 before Salt River Canyon. Seven buildings remain in decent shape structurally, however most of the equipment and insides are missing and trashed. 

The site has an eerie feel to it today. Several people appear to be living in makeshift camps closer to the lake. The campground is still available to those wishing to spend the night, and the lake can be fished for bass, but a permit from the tribe is needed to recreate on reservation land. An additional lookout point further up the trail, as well as a gas station were also constructed at the bottom of Salt River Canyon. It is unclear whether this was part of the Seneca construction project or not. To see the buildings today, continue north from Globe for 34 miles. A simple ‘Seneca’ sign post remains along the highway just past the 287 mile marker. Turn left off the highway just past this sign to access the site, the lake, or to continue into the Tonto National Forest and towards the Phillips and Regal Mines.