Boom, Bust, Boomer
Founded in 1880, Bisbee originated as one of the world’s most productive mining camps, famously dubbed the “Queen of the Copper Camps” after the discovery of the massive Copper Queen Lode. The town’s immense mineral wealth—which eventually yielded over eight billion pounds of copper—transformed it into the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco by the early 1900s, attracting a cosmopolitan population and high-style Victorian architecture. The Jonquil Motel was built in 1937, ensuring that your stay in Bisbee will include a sense of history.
Essential Historical Knowledge
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Bisbee’s Discovery
Uncover the rich stories of the Old West and a unique mining town that await you when you delve into the fascinating history of Bisbee, Arizona.
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Bisbee Deportation
The Bisbee Deportation of 1917 remains one of the most controversial and dark chapters in Arizona’s labor history.
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Bisbee’s Diversification
After the mines closed in the 1970s, artists and retirees revitalized Bisbee into a unique, quirky hub for tourism, galleries, and independent shops.
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Bisbee Restoration Museum
The Bisbee Restoration Museum is a unique, volunteer-operated museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the local history through artifacts donated by the community’s residents and businesses.
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Munheim Heritage House
The Muheim Heritage House Museum is a beautifully restored historic home in Bisbee, Arizona, offering a glimpse into the life of a prominent pioneer family at the turn of the 20th century.