Once the most productive copper mines of the early 1900’s, the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, has transformed into a modern-day fun and educational tourist destination. Established in 1877 after the discovery of copper ore in the Mule Mountains one year prior, the Copper Queen Mine operated for nearly a century before closing in the mid-1970s. After a brief closure (but never forgotten), it reopened for visitors in 1976. The Copper Queen Mine now sees approximately 50,000 visitors per year, where they are taken by rickety train-cart thousands of feet into the mountain, to (very slightly) experience what a real miner would. The pitch-black environment, illuminated by modern lights and required headlamps, maintains a cool 47-degree temperature year-round — so best to bring a jacket!
Bisbee’s mining history is rich, a tale of unexpected discovery and broken promises. In 1877, while tracking Apache Native Americans and sent to find a better quality water source, U.S. Calvary Scout, Jack Dunn, stumbled upon a significant limestone cliff containing lead carbonate in a gorge known as Tombstone Canyon. Reporting his find to his commanding officer, they were eager to claim the land, but were delayed by the urgency of tracking the Apache. They sought the help of a man named George Warren, with the only stipulation being that Warren would name Dunn in all the locations for the mining claims he filed. Unfortunately, Warren got sidetracked on his way to the claims station, getting drunk in a saloon and gambling away the pack provided to him by Dunn containing money, tools, a map, and materials. Finally, 56 days after Dunn had made his discovery, Warren filed the claim, reneging on his promise. He only named himself in all the locations for the mining claims, guaranteeing himself a 1/9 interest in the Cooper Queen Mine and leaving none for Dunn.
But alas, fear not, as karma ended up getting Warren in the end. While in Charleston, Arizona, he drunkenly made a bet that he could outrun a man on a horse – a bet he obviously lost – which cost him his ill-got 1/9 interest. It was estimated to be worth about $20,000 USD – or $606,000 USD today.
Ownership of the Copper Queen Mine changed hands numerous times, eventually landing in the lap of the Phelps Dodge company of New York City in 1885. They retained ownership until it officially closed in the mid-1970’s – and maintain ownership even today. During its time in use, it was the most productive copper mine in Arizona and one of the best-run copper mines in the United States. Even though work within the mine was known to be hazardous, dangerous, and often unpaid, it was a sought-after profession, given the stability of the work. It was the sole reason for the growth in population of Bisbee, attracting thousands of men and their families from around the country. These miners eventually organized an uprising in 1917, creating a union and going on strike. Phelps Dodge responded by illegally utilizing private police and corrupt sheriffs to arrest more than 1,300 miners, tossing them onto railroad cars, and sending them out of Bisbee, an event now known as the Bisbee Deportation.
Over the next several decades, particularly post-WWII, demand for copper significantly declined, with operations at the Copper Queen Mine formally ceasing in 1975. In desperate need for an economic boom, the mayor of Bisbee, along with volunteers, appealed to Phelps Dodge to reopen the mine for tourism just one year later. Luckily for them, Phelps Dodge agreed, and the economic boom worked. More than one million people have since visited the Copper Queen Mine, and Bisbee, as a side result. Phelps Dodge’s former headquarters became the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, located right across the street from the mine in downtown Bisbee.
Today, the Copper Queen Mine is open for tours daily with five different tour times available – 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm. The tours last approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes and tickets cost $14 per adult, $6.50 per child (6-12), and $6.50 for Bisbee residents only. Children 5 and younger are not allowed on the tour. It is highly recommended to book a tour in advance, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend. I personally strongly recommend booking the 9am tour, as we discovered that the later tours were far more packed. When we arrived around 8:30am, there were only a handful of cars in the parking lot. While driving past the parking lot later that afternoon, every spot was taken. There are perks to getting up early!
Visitors must don headlamps and bright yellow or orange vests and are not allowed inside the mine without a tour guide. They also do not allow open-toed shoes, high heels, or backpacks (so if you’re a sandal person like me, make sure to pack an extra pair of shoes). The tour is 80% a cart-style train ride through the deep tunnels of the mine and 20% educational, with two stops in separate parts of the mine where visitors disembark the train, walk with the tour guide, and learn about the history and mining practices. We were lucky enough to score as a tour guide, an elderly gentleman who actually worked in the mine during its heyday – a major plus.
Overall, our visit to the Copper Queen Mine proved to be an incredibly fun, unique, and educational experience. Surprisingly, even my almost 7-year-old was captivated, despite being thousands of feet inside a mountain. Being the sole child on the tour, she found the journey and the train ride fascinating. Unanimously, we agreed it was the favorite, over-all experience and highlight of our long-weekend trip to Tombstone and Bisbee. I believe this was due to the uniqueness of the experience; it’s a rarity to explore an old, decommissioned mine, typically closed to the public. If you ever find yourself in Tombstone, Sierra Vista, or Bisbee, Arizona, don’t miss the chance to tour the Copper Queen Mine — just be sure to book in advance!
