As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Arizona war reenactors descend on an abandoned mining town to relive the days of the Civil War and the lesser-known Indian Wars. KJZZ’s Jill Ryan and Gabriel Pietrorazio travel to Vulture City on the outskirts of Wickenburg to capture both conflicts in action.
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Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZIn the first of a two-part series, reenactors recently descended on an abandoned Arizona mining town to relive the days of the Civil War and the lesser-known Indian Wars. -
Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZWhat’s unique about Massai Leon and his family is that they're not only reenactors, but this to them is all about reliving their literal history. Their ancestor, Charles Martine, enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Indian Scout.
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Reenactors line up during a mock Civil War skirmish in Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Vulture City, an Arizona ghost town on the outskirts of Wickenburg.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Civil War reenactors at Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Andrew Kuhl displays the version of the Confederate flag used in a Civil War reenactment in Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Gilbert Alonzo, a Phoenix resident, portrays a Union soldier in Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Devon Ross, reenactor and captain of the Helm’s Arizona Guard, in Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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Dave Williamson, president of the nonprofit Arizona Civil War Council, in Vulture City.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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A sign for Vulture City, west of Phoenix.
Jill Ryan / KJZZ
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A Confederate soldier surrenders to a Union officer during a war reenactment on the outskirts of Wickenburg in Vulture City on Jan. 31, 2026.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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Union soldier reenactors with the nonprofit Arizona Civil War Council loot dead Confederate troops in the ghost town of Vulture City on Jan. 31, 2026.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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A fabric banner for the nonprofit Arizona Civil War Council.
Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZ
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Apache resistance fighters celebrate winning their reenacted skirmish in Vulture City.
Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZ
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Martín Leon plays dead during their Indian Wars reenactment.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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Reenactors line up to share tidbits of history from the Indian Wars with a crowd.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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Cavalry troop reenactors fend off Apaches and ex-Confederates in Vulture City.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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Indigenous resistance war reenactors Martín Leon (left), Massai Leon, Edmund “Guido” Arguello and Tyrus Johnson at camp.
Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ
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