Santa Claus, Ariz. is Up for Sale
The old Santa Claus village is up for sale. Photo by Marshall Shore.
Ever wanted to own a ghost town? Now you can! Santa Claus – a modern Arizona ghost town – is up for sale.
Santa Claus is located about 14 miles northwest of Kingman along U.S. Route 93. The Santa-theme village opened in the late 1930s and businesses operated here until 1995. By the early 40s, Santa Claus had become a thriving tourist destination attracting visitors from Las Vegas, Phoenix and Hoover Dam. It even hosted a real Santa that could take kids’ Christmas list year round.
The most well-known part of Santa Claus was the original Kit Carson Guest House, which later became the Santa Claus Inn, and then the Christmas Tree Inn. Duncan Hines, a famous food critic, described the inn as one of the best in the region, and sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein wrote a short story about a meal served there by Mrs. Claus. Actress Jane Russell has reportedly dined there as well.
Today, only a few boarded up buildings remain and little that attests to the many happy smiles that Santa Claus placed on the face of adults and kids. However, there is a chance this ghost town could see a rebirth. It’s up for sale, and someone new could own this slice of Arizona history. To learn more, visit GoldWaterLand.com.
Hi, I recently ran across Santa Claus, Az. and am interested in it, can you send details as to what is included, price, etc.? Or maybe you have brochures available? I live in So. New Hampshire, I don’t hear well on the phone, hence the email…:) Thanks so much!!
Kingman J. Wylie
270 Center Rd.
Lyndeboro, N.H.
03082
im interested in how much they are asking for the town of santa claus az. i know its 4 acres left from nina talbots original 80 acre dream from 1937 and the history of the little town and im interested in maybe purchasing the town to restore