Bisbee, Arizona is a small town in the Mule Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Founded during the heyday of copper mining. The town has reinvented itself as a town that’s modern and a trip back in time too.
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Bisbee History
In 1880, Bisbee, Arizona was founded and named in honor of Judge DeWitt Bisbee who was one of the financial backers of the Copper Queen Mine. The mine’s orebody ran 23% copper, an extraordinarily high grade, and at one time was the most producing mine in Arizona. In 1885 the mine was acquired by Phelps Dodge.
Mining was the main occupation of Bisbee residents, and as long as the mine was producing the town was thriving. Even though other mining towns were becoming abandoned Bisbee was thriving because of the vastness of the Copper Queen Mine, and the mine being able to change with the mining industry.
In 1920, the population of Bisbee was at a high of 9, 205. By 1930 the population had dropped to 3,801, nearly 60 percent. The population drop was devastating to the town, but the mine continued to operate.
Mine Closed
In 1975, Phelps Dodge closed The Copper Queen Mine. In an effort to create tourism Bisbee mayor developed a mine tour as an economic boost to bridge the gap created when the mine closed.
Bisbee Reborn
In the 1950s the population of Bisbee increased due to the new open-pit mining. The population rebounded to 9,914, but the rebirth of Bisbee didn’t last long. Because of the economic volatility housing prices crashed. Bisbee once again had to reinvent itself.
In 1960, because of the climate and the picturesque mountains, Bisbee became a town for counter-culture, artists, and hippies.
The main business in Bisbee was the Copper Queen Hotel. It was a great town anchor, but it was in need of repair. In spite of offering to sell the hotel for $1, no local townspeople offered to buy the hotel. The hotel was eventually purchased and renovated and Bisbee began to be a destination. Many Hollywood celebrities have stayed at the Copper Queen, but today it’s mostly known for being haunted!
Old Bisbee
Coffee shops, restaurants, and even live theater came to Bisbee. Old houses were renovated and property values soared.
Today the city is known as Old Bisbee and has a thriving downtown and cultural scene. Bisbee, Arizona is also known for the number of stairs in the town. Each year many come to Bisbee to participate in the Bisbee 1000, The Great Stair Climb, and test their endurance on 1034 stairs!
Laid out for pedestrians Old Bisbee is compact and walkable. The town’s hilly terrain is exemplified by the old four-story high school; each floor has a ground-level entrance. It’s even in the Guinness Book of World Records!
Things to Do in Bisbee
The Queen Mine aka The Copper Queen Mine has a tour that allows you to ride into the depths of the mine and see the work of mining up close. You get a vest and a hard hat and you ride the mine train down to the deep, dark mine. It’s a fun attraction and a good lesson in Bisbee history.
Main Street downtown Bisbee has museums, shops, and eateries for you to enjoy while you’re in town.
Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
The Lavender Pit is the open pit mine and while it’s fenced for safety you can still get a sense of the vastness of the mine as you peer through the fence.
Erie Street located near Lowell, Arizona has many old cars, and even a Greyhound bus parked on the street for visitors to see, and take a selfie or two!
Lavender Jeep Tours is a great way to see Bisbee and tour the mountains and surrounding areas.
Places to Stay
When you stay in Bisbee there are several hotels and bed and breakfasts.
The Copper Queen Hotel opened in 1902 and is still as elegant now as it was then. Grand pianos, Tiffany chandeliers, and Edwardian decor make this Queen a beautiful old lady with an air of mystery about her. The Copper Queen Hotel welcomes travelers all day and night. In fact, the double doors into the hotel have no locks, and the hotel itself has never been closed. Offering single beds to king suites this Old Queen has all you will need to enjoy your stay in Bisbee.
It is rumored that The Copper Queen Hotel is haunted! Tales of ghosts roaming the halls and occupying the rooms run rampant, and many have reported witnessing the spirits haunting the halls of this Queen!
The Jonquil Motel is a historic motel in Bisbee that has been serving travelers since 1936. The rooms all have pillow-top Queen mattresses, private bathrooms, and many more amenities. A feature of The Jonquil is all one-story rooms and gathering areas, so there are no stairs to climb! Each room has WI-FI so if you need to work a bit, it’s possible. The Jonquil is historic with modern and clean rooms, It’s the perfect place to recharge after a busy day in Bisbee.
Near to Bisbee
Douglas, Az
Once you have explored Bisbee to the fullest there are some interesting places close to Bisbee that are fun too. Douglas, Az is 30 minutes from Bisbee. The Gadsden Hotel is a gorgeous historic hotel. Be sure to ask about the historic steps and why one is chipped!
Douglas, Az is a border town that is 30 minutes from Bisbee. Once you have explored Bisbee to the fullest there are some interesting places close to Bisbee that are fun too. Douglas, Az is 30 minutes from Bisbee. The Gadsden Hotel is a gorgeous historic hotel. Be sure to ask about the historic steps and why one is chipped!
Agua Prieta
After visiting the hotel it is a quick drive to the Mexican border. Agua Prieta is across the border in Mexico. There are restaurants and shopping right on the main street of town. Be sure you are familiar with the regulations when crossing the border. Agua Prieta is a fun place to visit but be prepared to wait in line coming back into the United States. If you drive into Mexico I highly recommend getting Mexcian Car Insurance. Any accident that could happen in Mexico you would be covered. Not having Mexican Car Insurance can cost you a lot of money. The insurance is cheap and worth having the coverage.
Tombstone, Az
Tombstone, Az is known as the town that refused to die, and it takes that seriously, even to this day. The town is home to the OK Corral and they still have gunfights in the streets. It’s a great town to visit, and be sure you see the town cemetery!
Back to Bisbee, Arizona
I’ve been to Bisbee several times. It would certainly be on my Travel Bucket List if I hadn’t. Going to Bisbee today is still very much like visiting in the 60s only with modern amenities! Bisbee, Arizona should definitely be on your travel list!