Perched high in the rugged hills of central Arizona is a town that feels frozen in time—and maybe just a little haunted. Welcome to Jerome, a former mining town turned artist haven, perched precariously on Cleopatra Hill. Once dubbed the "Wickedest Town in the West," today Jerome is a quirky mix of Wild West grit, bohemian soul, and panoramic desert views that will stop you in your tracks.
But if you're planning a trip to this mountaintop marvel, there is one place that deserves to be more than just a footnote in your itinerary. In fact, it should be the itinerary. Tucked into the cliffs and built stone by stone with intention, vision, and artistic fire is the House on the Edge of Time — a hand-crafted masterpiece and one of the most unforgettable Airbnbs in the Southwest.
The Town: Jerome, Arizona
Jerome is not your average tourist town. It’s eccentric, rugged, and full of stories whispered through creaking floorboards and dusty artifacts. Once a booming copper mining town with a population of 15,000, Jerome nearly vanished after the mines closed. But in the 1960s and '70s, artists, writers, and visionaries moved in, breathing creative life into the skeletons of saloons and boarding houses.
Today, Jerome is an eclectic community filled with galleries, haunted hotels, and some of the best views in Arizona. It's the kind of place where you wander into a kaleidoscope shop and leave with something handmade and unforgettable. A few must-visit spots while you're here:
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Jerome State Historic Park: Great for history lovers, this museum in the former Douglas Mansion gives a sweeping look at the town's mining past.
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Gold King Mine & Ghost Town: An old-west time capsule full of rusted-out cars, vintage tools, and ghost town charm.
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Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes: The world's largest collection of kaleidoscopes and optical art.
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Rickeldoris Candy & Popcorn Company: A colorful, retro treat shop perfect for kids and nostalgic grown-ups alike.
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Pura Vida Gallery: A bright and beautiful art gallery featuring fine American crafts and bold Southwest flavor.
The Stay: House on the Edge of Time
And then there's this place.
The House on the Edge of Time isn’t just a home—it’s a sculptural experience built into the bones of the Earth. Designed and constructed by artist, stonemason, and sculptor Paul Nonnast, this house is a love letter to creativity and craft. Paul was a former student of Paolo Soleri and helped build parts of Arcosanti, the experimental desert architecture project in Arizona. He even led restoration efforts on some of Jerome's historic stone retaining walls—walls that quite literally hold the town together.
The house itself took over a decade to construct. Every stone was hand-picked and placed by Paul using time-honored masonry techniques, with no contractors, no shortcuts, and no wasted materials. While it has the feel of an ancient structure, it is fully modern inside—a blend of earth-sheltered design and elevated artistry.
Inside, you'll find curved adobe walls, cozy niches, and ambient lighting that shifts with the desert sun. Outside, a terrace opens to panoramic views of the Verde Valley. There’s a handcrafted pool, solar lamps that cast a golden glow after dark, and an outdoor bed that lets you sleep under a blanket of stars. It's peaceful, poetic, and quietly powerful.
At night, you can stargaze in total silence. In the morning, sip coffee as the wind moves through linen curtains and time stands still. This isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a place that stays with you.
Why You Need to Go
If you’re craving something more than just another getaway—something that slows you down and fills you up—this is it. Jerome offers the perfect blend of history, art, oddities, and unforgettable views. And the House on the Edge of Time? It captures all of that and distills it into a place you can sleep, dream, and breathe in deeply.
This is travel for the soul.
Stay here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/26425623