The following maps and history-details are from a BLM flier. While I find their concern for the
historical value and significance of old Arizona town-sites somehow touching, it should be noted
that not 20 years ago one of Arizona's most remote, and therefore complete, ghosttowns was
destroyed in part by BLM. New Alamo Lake is the result of a reclamation project of the late 1970s
which in part was intended to keep California from gaining access to waters flowing their way
through Arizona. The consequence finds entombed beneath pleasure-boats on the waters of the
lake its namesake, the old mill and town site of Alamo Crossing along the Bill Williams River.
I suspect it's out of guilt somehow that BLM now feels responsible for other remaining sites like
Swansea. I'm not so sure that their wholesale distribution of fliers with maps is the best means of
preservation if that's really their goal, but it's a pretty interesting flier, and the place is no secret.
The following flier is un-dated but is at least 3 years old (area code is now 520).
When I last saw it in '86 or 7 Swansea was in pretty depressing condition (compared to 10 years
prior) and was also serving as an RV park for several dozen vehicles with California tags, and
I've not been back. Nonetheless, it's a large, remote, and interesting site that can be accessed
without 4-wheel drive.
Other Colorado river basin links on this site:
