Mining started along Copper Creek in 1863 on a small scale. In the 1880's much more mining was underway. By the late 1800's Copper Creek was a town of 200 residents.
Around the year 1900, Ron Sibley moved to Copper Creek. He was the manager of the Minnesota Arizona Mining Company, which eventually bought out all the claims in the area. Belle, his wife, became the first postmaster in 1907. In 1908, they started building a big 20 room mansion. They only lived in it for two years before they left the area. All the mines had closed down by 1917.
In 1933, The Arizona Molydenum Corp. reopened some of the mines in the area. By 1942, operations were closed and the post office finally closed.
Today, there are remnants of the old Sibley Mansion, a stone sign denoting Copper Creek, and the old store and post office.
To get to Copper Creek, start in Mammoth, Arizona (on Highway 77 north of Tucson). Take Copper Creek Road east for about 12 miles to Copper Creek.
