The Vulture Gold Mine was discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg. Henry sold the mine after a few years. The Vulture, however, went on to become the most productive gold mine in the history of Arizona. Vulture City grew to a population of almost five thousand people. The mine sparked the development of Arizona and the city of Phoenix.

The Vulture Mine produced gold worth more than 200 million dollars. The exact amount is unknown. Some say that nearly half of the Vulture’s gold was stolen. "Highgrading" or theft of the high grade ore was common at the Vulture. At least 18 men were hung on the Vulture City’s hanging tree, nearly all for highgrading.

When President Franklin Roosevelt closed the mine in 1942 (WW II) people left believing they would return in six months. The mine never reopened. Almost overnight a once thriving community became a ghost town.