A Dominican in the Wild West: My Day at Goldfield Ghost Town

Jenniffer Crowe 12/26/2024

Moving to Arizona has been one surprise after another, and one of the most unexpected highlights so far has been visiting Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction. As someone who grew up in the Dominican Republic, a place where history is more about colonial architecture and vibrant Caribbean culture, the whole "wild west" with cowboys, shootouts, saloons, and tumbleweeds felt more like fiction than reality. But now that I’m living in Arizona, I thought it was time to see what all the cowboy hype was about. That’s how I ended up at Goldfield Ghost Town, a place that made me feel like I’d been dropped into an old Western movie.

The Wild West Comes Alive

When you first arrive at Goldfield, it feels like you’ve been transported to the 1800s. The wooden buildings, the old-timey saloon, the little shops selling trinkets—it all has a charm that’s hard to describe. Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but that’s part of the fun!

Coming from the DR, where colors are bold and music is everywhere, this place was completely different. Here, the palette was muted—earthy browns and reds. The buildings leaned with character (or maybe just age), and the air smelled like dry wood baked under the Arizona sun. It felt surreal, like stepping into a sepia-toned postcard.

My First Cowboy Show

The highlight of the day? A cowboy gunfight. Two guys dressed in boots and hats marched into the middle of the street, yelling at each other like they really had some unfinished business. One of them had the biggest mustache I’ve ever seen.

Then, out of nowhere, BOOM! A gun went off, and I almost dropped my drink. Before I had time to process what was happening, another shot fired, and one of the cowboys dropped to the ground in the most dramatic way possible. It was fast, loud, and honestly, a little intense.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I should be worried or just laugh, but when the crowd started clapping and cheering, I realized it was all part of the show. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I’m used to performances filled with music and dancing, so this whole cowboy shootout thing was completely new—and honestly, entertaining.

Exploring Goldfield

After the excitement of the shootout, we wandered through the town. There’s a little shop selling Native American jewelry, which felt so special to me because it reminded me of the artisanal work I’m used to seeing in the DR, but with its own unique flair.

We enjoyed the view of the Superstition Mountains from the saloon. Let me tell you, the desert is beautiful in a way I never expected. The dry air, the towering cacti, and the rugged mountains have this quiet majesty that feels so different from the tropical atmosphere of home.

A Day to Remember

Visiting Goldfield Ghost Town was more than just a fun day out—it was a chance to experience a piece of American culture that I’d only ever seen in movies. As someone who’s still adjusting to life in Arizona, it gave me a deeper appreciation for the stories and traditions that shape this place.

Would I go back? Of course! Now I'm a fan!