Bisbee, Arizona: Visiting the Old West Mining Town

Bisbee, Arizona is a colorful little town nestled in the Mule Mountains about 80 miles south of Tucson. Once a booming mining town, boasting deposits of gold, silver, and copper, it is now the Cochise County Seat and a haven for travelers seeking a tourist spot with a one-of-a-kind personality. Located within an hour's drive from Tombstone, its better known Old West neighbor, and Nogales, a point of entry into Mexico, Bisbee is a perfect place to visit on a tour of Southern Arizona.

Any visit to Bisbee should include a stop at the Lavender Pit Mine. It would be quite a feat to miss the mine anyway, as it is a 900 foot hole in the ground covering over 300 acres just south of Old Bisbee. The impressive mining operation was the cause of the rust colored piles of dump rock in the surrounding hills. The steep-walled mine and the resulting dump rock are seen as unsightly by many visitors and residents, but it gives travelers a better sense of the history of the area. For those who are more interested in the mining history of the town, a visit to the more prosperous Copper Queen mine can be scheduled. Bisbee was founded due to the extremely high grade of copper found here, and tourists can descend 1500 feet underground while former mining employees relate stories from the golden days of the mine.

A byproduct of the city's mining days is Bisbee Blue turquoise. Fine jewelry made from this stunning blue gemstone, along with other precious minerals recovered from the waste rock from the open pit mine, can be found in the small shops that line the main street through Old Bisbee. After the mines shut down Bisbee was rekindled as a thriving artists' community, and evidence of this can be seen in the unique architecture, live theatre, art galleries, and coffee shops lining the hilly streets of Old Bisbee.

Bisbee holds several notable festivals throughout the year that are worth visiting. The Fourth of July Coaster Race, started in 1910, is the oldest gravity-driven vehicle race in the world, featuring a thrilling 2-mile course down the main road in Old Bisbee. The day's festivities continue with a water-drenched parade through the Warren district of the town and a baseball tournament at the historic Warren Ballpark. In October, the yearly Stair Climb is held as a fundraiser to help restore Bisbee's historic 1000 stairs. November brings the Historic Home Tour, where visitors can learn about the architectural history of the town as docents dressed in period costumes lead tours through homes built in the 1800's.

Bisbee is a must-see stop for any visitor to Southern Arizona. Whether you enjoy the rich history of the town or the liberal art community, there is something for everyone. For more information, including lodging, dining and attractions, visit www.discoverbisbee.com.