• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Explore Arizona

Explore Arizona

With Arizona REALTOR, Carl Chapman

  • Home
  • Featured Listings
  • Property Search
    • Search
    • Map Search
    • Open Homes
    • Advanced Search
  • Email Alerts
  • Communities
  • Buyers & Sellers
    • Property Organizer
    • Valuation Request
  • Contact

Bisbee Arizona

Bisbee, 100 miles southeast of Tucson and 35 miles east of Sierra Vista, is the picturesque county seat of historic Cochise County.

The community was founded in 1880 and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, a financial backer of the Copper Queen Mine. This Old West mining camp proved to be one of the richest mineral sites in the world, producing nearly 3 million ounces of gold any more than 8 billion pounds of copper, not to mention the silver, lead, and zinc that came from these rich Mule Mountains.

Sorry we are experiencing system issues. Please try again.

By the early 1900s, the Bisbee community was the largest city between Stylus and San Francisco. It had a population of 20,000 people and had become the most cultured city in the Southwest. The city incorporated in 1905. Despite its culture, however, the rough edges of the mining camps could be found in notorious Brewery Gulch, with its saloons and shady ladies. Those activities began to slow as the mines played out, the population began to shrink, and Prohibition was enforced. Bisbee has evolved into an artist and retirement community emphasizing monthly special events including concerts, fine arts shows, art & craft shows, historic home tours, the Bisbee Gem and Mineral Show and the annual Taste of Cochise County celebration. Bisbee boasts the “best year-round climate in the state” for people to visit and enjoy the quiet and easy pace all year.

During the 1980s, the city succeeded in diversifying its economy includes government, tourism and light manufacturing. The Phelps Dodge Corporation is conducting tests for future develop-mentor copper, which has been the major economic factor in Bisbee’s overall development. Major employment in the area is from the city, state and county government, the military facility at Ft. Huachuca, and tourism. “Historic Bisbee” is a registered National Historic District and an Arizona Main Street Community. The city also offers attractive retirement opportunities. Bisbee is in an excellent location to serve twin plant manufacturing operations in Naco and Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. Bisbee is four miles from the international border and serves as these cities’ major transportation links with the United States.

Nestled in the foothills of the Mule Mountains of southeast Arizona, Bisbee resembles a European hamlet more than a dusty1880s Old West town. Originally called the “Queen of the Copper Camps,” Bisbee has a rich history that grew out of its humble beginnings as a mining camp turned boom town in the 1880s. Bisbee was rebuilt in 1908 after being destroyed by a fire, and its homes and downtown area retain a Victorian charm. The old saloons, office buildings, and other landmarks still stand. Bisbee today is rich in architecture and culture with its numerous art galleries, antique stores, gourmet restaurants, crafts shops, museums, and period bed and breakfasts and hotels. The Queen Mine Tour annually attracts thousands of visitors who ride into the old mining tunnels on a string of mining cars.
The town of Bisbee is one of the richest mineral sites in the world. It is interesting to know, that it began very simply with Hugh Jones in 1875, who came through looking for silver. Hugh decided to move on after only finding copper stains. Then in 1877, a government scout named Jack Dunn came across an outcropping of ore. Jack took some samples before leaving the area.

Later on, Dunn met up with George Warren, a prospector with a shady background. Warren agreed to file claims on Dunn’s behalf. Unfortunately, Warren told others of his agreement and filed claims with his new home partners. The Copper Queen Mine was born. Several years later, Warren lost his share of the mine by losing a bet. Around this period, electricity became popular and so was the need for copper. In 1880, Judge DeWitt Bisbee of San Francisco decided to invest in the Copper Queen Mine. Then shortly thereafter, the town of Bisbee sprang up, getting its name from the investor.

Following its purchase, a smelter was built and the mine operated 24 hours a day pulling out an endless supply of ore. Later, Dr. James Douglas visited the area and convinced Phelps-Dodge to purchase a mine near the Copper Queen Mine. After years of fighting over the ore at the boundary lines of these two mines, the two mines decided to merge and became the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company. In 1898, another mining company popped up on the scene. The Calumet and Arizona Company was soon a rival to Phelps Dodge. During those rival years the town of Bisbee began to take off. Bisbee soon became a rowdy little town. The town is made up of two canyons. One canyon called Main Street and the other is known as Brewery Gulch.

Brewery Gulch was a popular spot for saloons and wild women. It was said that Brewery Gulch had nearly 50 saloons. It is still a popular site to visit today. Bisbee also attracted immigrants to town. There were individuals from Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Russia. All of these people came to work in the mine. High copper prices allowed miners to be paid high salaries. This caused Bisbee to be the wealthiest city in Arizona and one of the largest mining sites in the world. Bisbee held the title of being the largest cosmopolitan town between St. Louis and San Francisco. At one time, the town soared to a population of 20,000. The town’s growth was most evident in 1902 when the four-story Bisbee-history/Copper Queen Hotel was built. The Copper Queen has high ceilings, chandeliers, and long hallways.

This elegant hotel’s guests include Teddy Roosevelt and Black Jack Pershing. During a visit to Bisbee, you can stay in this historic hotel. It wasn’t until 1925 when Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation bought out all the small mines including Calumet and Arizona Company. This purchase gave Phelps Dodge ownership of over 9,000 acres. Then in the 1950’s, the Lavender Pit opened. The pit was named after Harrison Lavender, a manager of the Copper Queen branch of Phelps-Dodge. This pit sunk to more than 900 feet and enclosed more than 300 acres. Phelps-Dodge operated the underground Queen Mine and the Lavender open mine pit for many years. By the end of the 70’s most of the mining had closed down, due to falling copper prices.

It is amazing to think by the time mining ended, the Bisbee area had produced 6.1 million dollars from 3 million ounces of gold, over 97 million ounces of silver, over 8 billion pounds of copper, nearly 273 pounds of zinc and 304 million pounds of lead. Mining has seen many improvements through the years from mules to earth moving equipment and Bisbee has followed in the steps of mining history by making changes in order to thrive. Today the town has switched gears and has become a haven for artists and cultural events.

The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum is a terrific spot to start your visit in the town of Bisbee. The museum gives a great overview of the town’s history. The building was once the headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company. Visitors will see exhibits and displays recounting the rich local history and its culture. Much of the focus of the history, the museum has collected is from 1877 to 1917. One of the highlights of the museum is a mural-sized photo of Bisbee shot in 1908. The photo was taken when residents showed up in full force to see the arrival of the trolley.

On the second floor of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, you will discover a collection of western ranch memorabilia. The collection is made up of photos and includes descriptions of ranch life. Visitors will see a variety of photos such as horses and chuck wagons. Life was tough on the ranch. The museum also has a library filled with information. The Shattuck Memorial Archival Library has photographs, books, and documents describing Arizona and Bisbee’s mining history. The Library has a daily new homes paper from 1902 that can be seen on microfilm.

The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum is open every day from 10:00 to 4:00. The museum is closed on Christmas and new home Year’s Day. The admission to the museum is $3.00. Seniors over 65 are charged $2.50 and children under 18 are free. You will find the museum in Bisbee at 5 Copper Queen Plaza, between Main Street and Brewery Gulch. If you have any questions, call 520-432-7071.

Bisbee History

The town of Bisbee is one of the richest mineral sites in the world. It is interesting to know, that it began very simply with Hugh Jones in 1875, who came through looking for silver. Hugh decided to move on after only finding copper stains. Then in 1877, a government scout named Jack Dunn came across an outcropping of ore. Jack took some samples before leaving the area.

Later on, Dunn met up with George Warren, a prospector with a shady background. Warren agreed to file claims on Dunn’s behalf. Unfortunately, Warren told others of his agreement and filed claims with his new partners. The Copper Queen Mine was born. Several years later, Warren lost his share of the mine by losing a bet. Around this period, electricity became popular and so was the need for copper. In 1880, Judge DeWitt Bisbee of San Francisco decided to invest in the Copper Queen Mine. Then shortly there after, the town of Bisbee sprang up, getting its name from the investor.

Following its purchase, a smelter was built and the mine operated 24 hours a day pulling out an endless supply of ore. Later, Dr. James Douglas visited the area and convinced Phelps-Dodge to purchase a mine near the Copper Queen Mine. After years of fighting over the ore at the boundary lines of these two mines, the two mines decided to merge and became the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company.In 1898, another mining company popped up on the scene. The Calumet and Arizona Company was soon a rival to Phelps Dodge. During those rival years, the town of Bisbee began to take off. Bisbee soon became a rowdy little town. The town is made up of two canyons. One canyon called Main Street and the other is known as Brewery Gulch.

Brewery Gulch was a popular spot for saloons and wild women. It was said that Brewery Gulch had nearly 50 saloons. It is still a popular site to visit today. Bisbee also attracted immigrants to town. There were individuals from Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Russia. All of these people came to work in the mine. High copper prices allowed miners to be paid high salaries. This caused Bisbee to be the wealthiest city in Arizona and one of the largest mining sites in the world. Bisbee held the title of being the largest cosmopolitan town between St. Louis and San Francisco. At one time, the town soared to a population of 20,000. The town’s growth was most evident in 1902 when the four-story Copper Queen Hotel was built. The Copper Queen has high ceilings, chandeliers, and long hallways.

This elegant hotel’s guests include Teddy Roosevelt and Black Jack Pershing. During a visit to Bisbee, you can stay in this historic hotel.It wasn’t until 1925 when Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation bought out all the small mines including Calumet and Arizona Company. This purchase gave Phelps Dodge ownership of over 9,000 acres. Then in the 1950’s, the Lavender Pit opened. The pit was named after Harrison Lavender, a manager of the Copper Queen branch of Phelps-Dodge. This pit sunk to more than 900 feet and enclosed more than 300 acres. Phelps-Dodge operated the underground Queen Mine and the Lavender open mine pit for many years. By the end of the 70’s most of the mining had closed down, due to falling copper prices.

It is amazing to think by the time mining ended, the Bisbee area had produced 6.1 million dollars from 3 million ounces of gold, over 97 million ounces of silver, over 8 billion pounds of copper, nearly 273 pounds of zinc and 304 million pounds of lead. Mining has seen many improvements over the years from mules to earthmoving equipment and Bisbee has followed in the steps of mining history by making changes in order to thrive. Today the town has switched gears and has become a haven for artists and cultral events.

Footer

Carl Chapman
Associate Broker

Connect with me on:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Homepage
  • Blog
  • PRIVACY STATEMENT
  • Sun City Real Estate
  • Sun City West
  • Sun lakes Real Estate
  • Superior Arizona
  • Surprise Real Estate
  • Taylor Arizona
  • Tempe Arizona
  • Terms of Service
  • Thank You
  • Thatcher Arizona
  • Thatcher Real Estate
  • Things To Do In and Around Flagstaff
  • Things To Do in Williams
  • Tolleson Real Estate
  • Tombstone Arizona
  • Tonopah Real Estate
  • Tonto Basin Real Estate
  • Trees
  • Tucson Arizona
  • Tucson Attractions
  • Tucson Tourism
  • Understanding Title and Escrow
  • Vail Real Estate
  • Waddell Real Estate
  • What is a REALTOR
  • Wickenburg Real Estate
  • Willcox Arizona
  • Williams Arizona
  • Winslow Arizona
  • Wittmann Real Estate
  • Yarnell Real Estate
  • Young Real Estate
  • Youngtown Real Estate
  • Yuma Arizona
  • Yuma County
  • Zoning Laws
  • The Buying Process
  • What is a Buyer’s agent – Buyer Broker
  • Homepage
  • Blog
  • PRIVACY STATEMENT
  • Morristown Real Estate
  • Munds Park Real Estate
  • Navajo County Arizona
  • New River Real Estate
  • Nogales Arizona
  • North Mountain Village
  • Overgaard Real Estate
  • Page Arizona
  • Paradise Valley Arizona
  • Parker Arizona
  • Patagonia Arizona
  • Paulden Real Estate
  • Payson Arizona
  • Peeples Valley Real Estate
  • Peoria Real Estate
  • Phoenix Arizona
  • Phoenix Brief
  • Phoenix Communities
  • Phoenix History
  • Phoenix Trivia
  • Phoenix: The City
  • Pine Real Estate
  • Pinetop-Lakeside Arizona
  • Prescott Arizona
  • Prescott Valley Arizona
  • Pricing Your Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Quartzsite Arizona
  • Queen Creek Real Estate
  • Reo Verde Real Estate
  • Reviews
  • Rimrock Real Estate
  • Roosevelt Real Estate
  • Safford Arizona
  • Saguaro National Park
  • Sahuarita Arizona
  • San Luis Arizona
  • San Tan Valley Real Estate
  • Scottsdale Mountain
  • Scottsdale Ranch
  • Scottsdale Real Estate
  • Sedona Arizona
  • Seligman Real Estate
  • Selling Your Home
  • Show Low Arizona
  • Skull Valley Real Estate
  • Snowflake Arizona
  • St Johns Arizona
  • Stanfield Real Estate
  • Strawberry Real Estate
  • Homepage
  • Blog
  • PRIVACY STATEMENT
  • Elfrida Real Estate
  • Eloy Arizona
  • Entertainment in Phoenix
  • Flagstaff
  • Flagstaff Parks
  • Florence Arizona
  • Forest Lakes
  • Fort Mcdowell Real Estate
  • Fountain Hills Real Estate
  • Fredonia
  • Gainey Ranch
  • Geography and Climate of Phoenix
  • Gila Bend Arizona
  • Gilbert Arizona
  • Glendale Arizona
  • Globe Real Estate
  • Gold Canyon
  • Goodyear Arizona
  • Graham County
  • Grayhawk
  • Greer Real Estate
  • Happy Jack Real Estate
  • Heber Real Estate
  • HIRING a REAL ESTATE LAWYER
  • Holbrook Arizona
  • How Phoenix Got Its Name
  • Huachuca City
  • Humboldt Real Estate
  • Investment
  • Jerome Arizona
  • Kearny Arizona
  • Kingman Government
  • Kingman Outdoors
  • Kingman Real Estate
  • Lake Havasu Real Estate
  • Lakeside Real Estate
  • Landing Page
  • Laveen Real Estate
  • Litchfield Park Arizona
  • Marana Arizona
  • Maricopa Arizona
  • Mayer Real Estate
  • Mccormick Ranch
  • McDowell Mountain Ranch
  • McNeal Real Estate
  • Mesa Real Estate
  • Miami Real Estate
  • Moon Valley
  • Mormon Lake Real Estate
  • Home Inspections
  • Homepage
  • Blog
  • PRIVACY STATEMENT
  • About Us
  • Aguila Real Estate
  • Ahwatukee Real Estate
  • Ajo Real Estate
  • Alpine Real Estate
  • Amado Real Estate
  • Anthem Real Estate
  • Apache Junction
  • Arizona City
  • Arizona Snowbowl
  • Arlington Real Estate
  • Ash Fork Real Estate
  • Avondale
  • Bagdad Real Estate
  • Benson
  • Biltmore Homes
  • Bisbee Arizona
  • Black Canyon City Real Estate
  • Block Content Examples
  • Bouse Real Estate
  • Buckeye Arizona
  • Bullhead City Arizona
  • Buying Your First Home
  • Buying Guide
  • Camelback East Village
  • Camp Verde Real Estate
  • Carefree Arizona
  • Carl Chapman, REALTOR 602-617-4440
  • Casa Grande Arizona
  • Cave Creek Arizona
  • Central Phoenix
  • Chandler Arizona
  • Chino Valley Arizona
  • Christopher Creek Real Estate
  • Clarkdale Real Estate
  • Clifton Arizona
  • Congress Real Estate
  • Contact Us
  • Coolidge Arizona
  • Cottonwood Arizona
  • Crown King
  • DC Ranch
  • Deer Valley
  • Desert Hills
  • Desert Mountain
  • Desert Ridge
  • Dewey Real Estate
  • Duncan Arizona
  • Eagar Arizona
  • El Mirage
  • Youngtown Real Estate
  • Young Real Estate
  • Yarnell Real Estate
  • Wittmann Real Estate
  • Wickenburg Real Estate
  • Waddell Real Estate
  • Vail Real Estate
  • Tonto Basin Real Estate
  • Tonopah Real Estate
  • Tolleson Real Estate
  • Thatcher Real Estate
  • Surprise Real Estate
  • Sun lakes Real Estate
  • Sun City West
  • Sun City Real Estate
Carl Chapman PLLC | West USA Realty
2355 W UTOPIA RD , STE 110 PHOENIX, AZ 85027
Direct 602-617-4440

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy