Copper Queen

Queen Hotel

11 Howell Ave,, Bisbee, AZ 85603

The city of Bisbee got its start when it was discovered in 1877 as being a treasure trove of copper, lead, and silver veins. Army scouts on the trail of rebellious Apaches were led by civilian Jack Dunn through the Mule Mountains, who was the first to discover the signs of considerable mineral deposits, which turned out to be enormous! These rich deposits weren't "played out" until 1974 when the mining operations closed down for good. It wasn't long before miners and speculators flocked to this area, staking their claims on the numerous, huge mineral deposits, setting up a very prosperous mining settlement, called the "Queen of the Copper Camps." By 1902, when other mines were weakening, Bisbee was still growing and in need of basic services. It became incorporated as a city, called Bisbee in 1902, and grew into a community of 25,000 people, by 1910! The Copper Queen Hotel was built in 1902, by the wealthy Copper Queen Mining Company to provide high class "accommodations" for visiting dignitaries, politicians and other travelers visiting this booming city. For nearly a hundred years, the mines produced "8 billion pounds of copper, 102 million ounces of silver and 2.8 million ounces of gold along with millions of pounds of zinc, lead and manganese." The mines survived price drops, labor costs, even WW 2. However, like mining industry-based cities everywhere, sooner or later Bisbee had to face the challenge of how to survive or not when the ore inevitably was used up. In 1975, the mines closed for good, sending real estate prices into a tailspin. However, Bisbee was spared becoming a ghost town or suffering prolonged economic hardship because of several factors. The mild year-round weather and its natural early 20th-century charm, as well as the cheap real estate immediately drew retirees, "hippies," visitors, and investors. Bisbee soon became an art colony, a wonderful place to retire, and a huge tourist draw because of tourist-friendly interests, the variety of art shops and lovely hotels housed in turn-of-the-century buildings, which were ultimately restored to their former splendor. HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS: The Copper Queen Hotel, located in the heart of downtown, was kept up during its 105 years of existence, always being a great place to stay and spend the night. It is not surprising that former guests, hard-working employees and others connected to the hotel may decide to stick around in such a grand place. The 4 stories, brick, Victorian/Italian Villa style Copper Queen Hotel is described as being "One of the Last Remaining Historical Gems of the Southwest." In fact, it is Arizona's longest operational hotel, as it has been in continuous service as a high-class hotel since it was built over a century ago. This 1902 turn-of-the-century old dame of hotels has 4 floors, offering 45 comfortable, atmospheric rooms updated with modern "conveniences" such as air conditioning, heat in the winter, direct-dial telephones, private baths, and color TV. The hotel has two lovely lobbies and a full-service restaurant; Not only inside dining but also an outside "misted" patio dining area as well. Of course, there is an "old west" saloon and a banquet room for special events and receptions. Throughout its history, it also provided gainful employment to residents of Bisbee; mostly respectable, with one glaring exception involving female companionship, offered on the hotel's third floor, which was tolerated during the early part of the 20th century. Miss Julia Lowell was such a female companion, who "serviced" men in rooms on the third floor of The Copper Queen Hotel, during the 1920s-'30s, a time when prostitution was tolerated in Arizona. Traditionally, the young women who worked in this "fallen angel" industry, hoped to find a husband among her many clients, in order to join a respectable society. Julia fell in love; hook, line and sinker, at the age of thirty with a gentleman who didn't share her feelings. Though he enjoyed her body, he rejected her as marriage material. In despair, she killed herself. An active young 8 or 9-year-old son of a woman who worked in the hotel's dining room used to play on the third floor. Tragedy struck when the boy died in a dumb, kid accident. He drowned while swimming in either the neighborhood pond or the San Pedro River. Some guests it seems enjoyed their stays in this hotel so much while living, that they have decided to spend their after-life here as well, which is the case in many classy hotels. For more information about the hotel please visit http://www.copperqueen.com.