Copper was found in the area in 1877 and attracted thousands of people. Bisbee once had the largest population between New Orleans and San Francisco. However the great Queen Mine eventually ran dry and the last mining operations were closed down in 1975.
As the miners moved away, artists and retirees moved in and preserved the original Victorian architecture while making it the friendly little community it is today. Bisbee caters to tourists, but it is far from overwhelmed by them.
Things to do:
- Walk the narrow central streets and peek into the many galleries and antiques stores. Have a drink and a bite at one of the saloons or diners in Brewery Gulch north of Main Street.
- Check out the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum at 5 Copper Queen Plaza (opening hours daily 10am-4pm)
- Tour the mines with Queen Mine Tours. Several hour-long underground tours of the Queen Mine commence daily. They also offer van tours of the massive hole that is the opencast Lavender Pit.
Above: The sold brick buildings from the town's pride past still stand.
Above: A few of some of Bisbee's many Victorian villas.
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