Nothing, Arizona: The Story Behind Arizona's Most Unusual Ghost Settlement
If you've ever driven U.S. Highway 93 between Phoenix and Las Vegas, you've probably passed one of Arizona's strangest roadside attractions without even realizing it.
Nothing, Arizona Road Sign: Photo by Nicole Ford
Hidden just off the highway is Nothing, Arizona—a place that became famous not because of gold, railroads, or the Wild West, but because of its unforgettable name.
Unlike many of Arizona's ghost towns, Nothing was never an incorporated town. It was a tiny roadside settlement established in 1977 by Richard "Buddy" Kenworthy to serve travelers along one of the busiest highways connecting Phoenix and Las Vegas. At its peak, the settlement had only a handful of residents, along with a gas station, convenience store, garage, taco stand, and a bar appropriately named Taint Much Ado (Arizona Department of Transportation [ADOT], 2020).
Nothing, Arizona Gate: Photo by Nicole Ford
The unusual name quickly became its biggest attraction.
According to longtime accounts, the name "Nothing" originated after Kenworthy and his partners discussed what should be built on the empty stretch of desert. One reportedly remarked that there was "nothing" there, and the name stuck. While versions of the story vary slightly, they all point to the same tongue-in-cheek origin (ADOT, 2020; Parker, 2009).
Rather than avoiding the joke, the settlement embraced it.
Nothing, Arizona, Graffitied Building: Photo by Nicole Ford
Its famous roadside sign read:
"Town of Nothing, Arizona. Founded 1977. Elevation 3,269 feet. The staunch citizens of Nothing are full of Hope, Faith, and Believe in the work ethic. Through the years these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing." (ADOT, 2020).
Despite the publicity, life in Nothing was never easy. In 1988, a fire destroyed several of Kenworthy's businesses. Although he rebuilt parts of the settlement, traffic alone wasn't enough to keep it thriving. By 2005, Kenworthy had moved away, leaving Nothing abandoned (ADOT, 2020).
A few years later, entrepreneur Mike Jensen attempted to revive Nothing by opening a pizza stand and proposing an RV park. The effort generated media attention but ultimately failed, and by 2011 the settlement had once again been abandoned (Ruelas, 2009).
Nothing, Arizona Raven on Road Sign: Photo by Nicole Ford
Today, visitors will find the famous Nothing sign, several fenced-off abandoned buildings, and walls covered in decades of graffiti. The remaining structures continue to deteriorate beneath the Arizona sun, but the site remains a favorite stop for photographers, road trippers, and travelers looking for one of the state's quirkiest roadside attractions.
Although many people casually refer to Nothing as a ghost town, the more technically accurate description is a ghost settlement, since it was never incorporated as a municipality. Nevertheless, guidebooks, travel writers, and the Arizona Department of Transportation commonly include Nothing among Arizona's abandoned places because it once supported businesses and permanent residents (ADOT, 2020; Peterson, 1989).
Unlike Arizona's famous mining ghost towns such as Jerome, Gleeson, or Ruby, Nothing wasn't built because valuable minerals were discovered nearby. Instead, it existed solely to serve motorists traveling Highway 93. That alone makes it one of the most unusual abandoned communities in the state.
Nothing, Arizona, Graffitied Building: Photo by Nicole Ford
If you're traveling between Phoenix and Las Vegas, Nothing makes for a quick roadside stop and a memorable photo opportunity. After all, not many people can honestly say they've stopped to see Nothing.
References
Arizona Department of Transportation. (2020, September 2). In Arizona, nothing from Nothing equals a ghost town.https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/arizona-nothing-nothing-equals-ghost-town
Parker, Q. (2009). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media.
Peterson, D. (1989). Storyville, USA. University of Georgia Press.
Ruelas, R. (2009, April 29). Pizza chef has high hopes for his roadside attraction.The Arizona Republic.
