[1] It is historically significant as "a largely intact area within Clifton, a copper mining town in eastern Arizona which developed between 1870 and 1930.

The district is significant...for its association with the early copper mining and smelting operations in that region and with the town which grew to support those operations; it is additionally significant...for its intact examples of architecture typical of Arizona's mining towns of the day.

The Park Avenue Bridge over the San Francisco River, and the Clifton Casa Grande Building, which are both individually listed on the National Register, are included in the district.

[1] The district includes Prairie School, Late Victorian, and Mission/Spanish Revival architecture.

[1] Media related to Clifton Townsite Historic District at Wikimedia Commons