LLocated 90 miles southeast of Tucson and nestled among the Mule Mountains, Bisbee is the picturesque seat of historic Cochise County.
The community was founded in 1880 and quickly became a thriving urban center, driven by a booming mining industry that thrived on the area's rich reserves of copper and precious metals.
Bisbee is more than just a geographic location, it's a state of mind. Nestled in the Mule Mountains of Cochise County at an elevation of 5,350 feet. Preserving its history has been an important aspect to the citizens of Bisbee. “Historic Bisbee” is a registered national historic district. Bisbee remained an active mining community until the mid-1970s. When the mine closed, a drastic change occurred among the local population. As many mining employees and their families left to work elsewhere, an influx of arts entrepreneurs found the Bisbee Historic District to be an attractive, inspiring, and inexpensive place to settle down and pursue their artistic pursuits. Bisbee thrives today not only because of the locals but also the tourists who flood the beautiful little town for all kinds of community events and activities.
Main economic activities
Mining in the Mule Mountains was quite successful and Bisbee proved to be one of the richest mining sites in the world, producing nearly three million ounces of gold and over eight billion pounds of copper, not without mentioning the silver, lead and zinc which came from these rich lands. Besides Bisbee's cosmopolitan character, the colorful, raw edges of the mining camp could still be found in the famous Brewery Gulch, with its saloons and brothels. At its peak, the Gulch had nearly 50 saloons and was considered one of the busiest places in the west. Historic taverns still retain the rich character and boom town taste of this period.
Scenic Attractions
Bisbee's history and art intertwine as one walks the narrow streets and alleys, as well as Bisbee's 350 historic staircases. Step into another era by visiting a museum housed in an 1890s building that was the Smithsonian's first rural affiliate, or see what life is like as a miner on a tour of the Copper Queen Mine. Different types of tours will take you in and around Old Bisbee and the surrounding areas, teaching you about Bisbee's rich history.
Today, downtown Bisbee, extraordinarily well preserved from the early 20th century, attracts visitors from around the world who appreciate its historic architecture, welcoming and creative spirit, and cool climate. Bisbee also serves as an ideal launching point for visitors – bird watchers, hikers, wine tasters, music enthusiasts and others wishing to explore our “Sky Islands” region rich in geology, biology and culture.
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