The Globe/Miami area has been an important mining center for more than a century. Silver started the population boom. Copper proved more abundant and led to the growth of the community as infrastructure and commerce were added to support the mining activities. Located in the foothills just north of the Pinal Mountains, Globe is the seat of government for Gila County. Mining in the Globe District ceased when the Old Dominion Mine flooded in the late 1920s and industry evolved into support businesses for the mines and the major housing center for the area. Most recently the concentration has been small business and tourism which capitalizes on the historic nature of the community.