At an elevation of 1,972 feet, Winkelman is located at the southern end of Gila County. The town is part of Pinal County at the confluence of the San Pedro and Gila Rivers. The history of Winkelman dates back to 1877 and 1878 when a large number of farmers migrated to the region. With the coming of the railroad, a post office was established in 1903 near the ranch of Peter Winkelman. Winkelman was incorporated in 1914. However, a few years later the town disincorporated and later reincorporated on June 6, 1949.

Principal Economic Activities

Winkelman is the smallest incorporated town in Arizona, and most of Winkelman’s economic activity is based on copper. The community serves primarily as a service center and residential area for families of employees associated with mining and processing activities. The principal employer within the town is the Hayden-Winkelman School District. Arizona State Highways 77 and 177 provide excellent access to different parts of the state. Both highways run through Winkelman.

Scenic Attractions

The surrounding scenery is some of the most spectacular in the state, and Winkelman sits on the Old West Highway route. The Mescal and Saddleback mountain ranges provide the backdrop for the meandering Gila River.

Community Facilities

At the gateway to Winkelman stands a roadside park featuring a 115-foot-long adobe wall. Visitors can walk around, through or meet within it. The wall tells the history of the town by using bits of ranching and mining implements, as well as local geological samples. The Winkelman Luten Historic Bridge was constructed in 1916 and is only one of two still in existence in the country designed by Daniel Luten, famous for the Luten Arch. In 2016, Winkelman celebrated the Centennial of the Historic Bridge.

An added attraction to Winkelman is the Winkelman Flats Public Park located adjacent to the Gila River. This park provides RV camping with all utility hookups, dry camping areas, swimming, tubing, canoeing and fishing. This park has a playground area for children, lighted softball field, concession stand, mud volleyball courts, ramadas with benches throughout the park and a rodeo arena. This park provides restroom and shower facilities.

In October 2014, Winkelman celebrated its centennial. On that same day, Winkelman’s ore cart, A Penny for your Thoughts, was dedicated by the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. The Ore Cart Trail encourages tourism in the region. Winkelman’s ore cart was the second of 10 ore carts that will be placed in towns along the Copper Corridor.