Aztec

Aztec, Arizona is one of the lesser noted places by I-8, especially because of how little is left. Historically, Aztec was used as a railroad siding on the Southern Pacific Railroad, where trains went through to refill their steam engines. Today, those tracks at Aztec are used by the Union Pacific Railroad. Aztec did even have a post office established on September 12, 1889, Charles A. Dallen being the first postmaster. The main thing which kept Aztec alive though, was its gas station.

Fun fact: Aztec is named after the nearby Aztec Hills, which in turn are probably named after the Aztec culture.

Aztec was big enough to have a schoolhouse 50 years ago, but unfortunately it burnt down and has not been rebuilt. There was even a grocery store. Not much is left, although, if you step out of the car and see what there is in this small ghost town, you will certainly be glad you did. Below are some of the most interesting things you can do in this ghost town:

1. Aztec Dairy Farm

Although the most difficult of all things you can do in Aztec, it still is a rewarding experience for anyone interested in the work that must be done to maintain a dairy farm in the desert. You will have to contact the farm and see if they will be willing to give you a tour.

2. Old Aztec Gas Station and Water Tower

You can also find here an awning for gas pumps, this being the former site of a major driver to Aztec's economy. In the vicinity, you will also see the rusted water tower. Today, that water tower only serves its purpose as a reminder of the town that stood here, with three hundred at its peak.

3. House made out of railroad ties

In Aztec, there also exists a mysterious house made out of railroad ties. This was the home of Mr. Charles Crain's family. According to one of the descendants of the Crains, they lived in this building while they ran a gas station and diner (the diner which seems to have been demolished; photos of it exist online but it does not appear it can be located today). The Crains offered to sell their operations to a writer of the Arizona Republic for $18,000 after the writer mistook Gila Bend as the last stop on I-8 before Yuma where you could get a fan belt (of course, you could get them in Aztec!) The gas station appears to have been abandoned in the early '80s.