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Cool Lizard Gear
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Bisbee Arizona
Copper Mining: Queen Mine Tour
Bisbee, Arizona
Historic Mining Town
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Nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 5,416 ft., Bisbee offers a large variety of recreational and educational activities.
Learn about the history of Bisbee and the mining industry through the Queen Mine Tour and a visit to the Bisbee Mining and Historic Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian. Both are located in the heart of Old Bisbee.
To see Old Bisbee's architecture and large collection of shops, inns, restaurants and the Muheim Heritage House, go to
Bisbee - Page 2.
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Bisbee Mining & Historic Museum
Learn about copper mining and the history of Bisbee by visiting the new exhibit (we visited in September 2007) of the Bisbee Mining and Historic Museum.
Mining played an important role in Arizona history. See photos and exhibits on the mining operations and day to day lives of the people of Bisbee in the early 1900's.
Why is copper important? The museum has an excellent display of copper containing products that we depend on in our lives.
Click the link to the video on the following page to watch an on-line video about copper mining and the museum.
go to bisbeemuseum.org
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Bisbee Mining And Historic Museum
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Queen Mine Tour
Over 8 billion pounds of copper were mined from Bisbee's mountains between 1877 and 1975. Gold, silver, lead and zinc were also mined in Bisbee.
These mining operations turned Bisbee into a thriving community1.
Don hard hats, lights and slickers and ride the train deep into the mine to experience the mine and the lives the miners lived.
The tour takes about an hour and some stair climbing is required to see all of the areas. NOTE: Year round temperature in the mine is 47 degrees.
Click the link to the video on the following page to watch an on-line video about the tour.
go to queenminetour.com
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Above right: train leading into mine
Below left: dynamite filled holes in the wall; the blast softened the rock for removal
Below right: rock rubble fell through the chute into the carts, which were pulled by mules.
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Information Sources
1. "Bisbee Mining Historic Museum." September 2007. Bisbee Museum
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Special Tips
Traveling with children, pets or special needs
 Accessibility
Although not all shops are accessible, most streets have wheelchair slopes from the curb. The town streets are accessible by car. Many shops are accessible. The Bisbee Grill is accessible.
In downtown Bisbee, the building that houses the Bisbee Grille has an elevator to the accessible restroom on the second floor. It is not a large stall.
Across the street, to the left of the Copper Mining Museum (as you face the museum) there is an accessible public restroom. It contains a large stall. We did not locate any
private, family style restrooms.
The Copper Mining Museum also contains a large, accessible restroom that is private. The museum is accessible, but the door must be unlocked. Someone from your party must
enter the museum via the front entrance steps and inform them that the accessible entrance is needed. They will unlock the wheelchair accessible side door, and an accessible elevator can be taken to the second floor
area of the museum.
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 Traveling with children
The museums and the mine tour are both very educational. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the mine tour.
Temperature in the mine is 47 degrees year around, so bring a sweater or light jacket. If your child is afraid of dark places, this would not be a good choice of activity.
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 Traveling with pets
Pets are NOT ALLOWED in the mine or museums. Leashed pets can be walked on city streets and in parks.
Grooming, pet supplies and boarding are available at PetsBCute. Visit their website at: petsbcute.com
NEVER leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. ALWAYS clean up after your pet.
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Directions & Resources
Bisbee is located close to the Mexican border, in SE Arizona, on hwy 80. From Tucson, take hwy 10 to Benson. At Benson, take hwy 80 south to Bisbee.
Resources:
Bisbee Mining & Historic Museum
phone: 520-432-7071; website:
www.bisbeemuseum.org
Queen Mine Tour
phone: 1-866-432-2071; website:
www.queenminetour.com
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