Clifton
In an Arizona Republic article from 1936 states that Clifton is named in honor of Henry Clifton who discovered copper in 1864. It was believed that the name of Clifton came from the nearby cliffs, however, accounts of a very early pioneer, A.F. Banta recalled the true reason for its name and personally knew Clifton. The location is “one of the oldest and richest copper camps in the Southwest” and though Clifton was successful in discovering copper the town was more likely named for the cliffs, a shortening of “Clifftown” than for Clifton himself. Banta was not known for his truthfulness and his renditions are often unsupported by any evidence.
Article: "How Clifton Town Secured Its Name," Arizona Republican (Phoenix), May 31, 1909.4.
Additional Citation: Will C. Barnes, Arizona Place Names (Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 1988).99.
CountyGreenlee CountyStateArizona CountryUnited StatesGeographic Coordinates[1] Feature ClassPopulated Place