History of Mingus Mountain Camp
Photograph from Mingus Mountain Camp Archives
Mingus Camp is located on Mingus Mountain, near Jerome, which was a booming copper camp from the late 1800s to early 1900s. From the late 1800s to early 1900s, the site of the camp was the summer homestead of the Cook family, who farmed potatoes, built a house and barn on the site, and carved a root cellar from the hillside.
Following World War II, a young Methodist named Francis LaPoint was sent by the Southern California Arizona Methodist Conference to initiate the development of church camps. In 1947, LaPoint discovered a tract of land on MIngus Mountain that he believed would be ideal for a church camp. LaPoint bought the property from the Fains, a prominent Arizona family who then owned the property. Under LaPoint's leadership, Methodists from Arizona and California built Mingus Mountain Camp, providing funds for materials and an energetic volunteer labor force. Boy Scouts from a Methodist church's troop performed the initial surveys on the site, while other Methodist volunteers recycled a handful of rustic miners' cabins from nearby Jerome to serve as the campground's first facilites.
Over the years, the camp developed and grew. Built near these original cabins, Toothaker Hall served as the camp's first dining hall, completed in 1950. Outdoor showers were built the following year on the adjacent hillside. Today, though these first facilities are now gone, a program veranda is being built on the same hillside.
Following World War II, a young Methodist named Francis LaPoint was sent by the Southern California Arizona Methodist Conference to initiate the development of church camps. In 1947, LaPoint discovered a tract of land on MIngus Mountain that he believed would be ideal for a church camp. LaPoint bought the property from the Fains, a prominent Arizona family who then owned the property. Under LaPoint's leadership, Methodists from Arizona and California built Mingus Mountain Camp, providing funds for materials and an energetic volunteer labor force. Boy Scouts from a Methodist church's troop performed the initial surveys on the site, while other Methodist volunteers recycled a handful of rustic miners' cabins from nearby Jerome to serve as the campground's first facilites.
Over the years, the camp developed and grew. Built near these original cabins, Toothaker Hall served as the camp's first dining hall, completed in 1950. Outdoor showers were built the following year on the adjacent hillside. Today, though these first facilities are now gone, a program veranda is being built on the same hillside.
In 1953 volunteers recycled portions of the original Cook family homestead into a hillside meeting hall and chapel, which currently serves as the Craft Hall. The camp's Dining Hall, with its raised elevation, massive stone fireplace, and expansive front porch, was completed in 1956. In 1963 a home for resident staff was built, and in 1972 flush toilets replaced the camp's outhouses. First United Methodist Church of Mesa, Arizona, funded and built a large assembly hall in 1981, named LaPoint Hall. The Nurse's Cabin was built in 1986, the first building constructed by a professional builder. Three large, comfortable retreat cabins - Harris, Agape, and Mariposa - were erected between 2001 and 2002.
Since its inception in 1947, Mingus' camps have been staffed by volunteers drawn from the ranks of pastors, youth leaders, educators, and church volunteers. In addition to its regular cycle of children's, youth, and family camps, Mingus hosts local church retreats, school band camps, and small group meetings. In addition, YMCA Indian Guides, Anytown National Conference gatherings of Christians and Jews, and Native American tribal gatherings have been held at Mingus Camp. |  Photograph from Mingus Mountain Camp Archive |
History edited from A Taste Of Mingus: Recipes & Stories from Mingus Mountain Camp,
written by Mary Sue Ingraham. Used by permission.
Order a copy today for $20 and support Mingus Camp Scholarships for children and youth.
