Photo gallery: Bisbee keeps its character
Bisbee is one of the keystone cities in the history of Arizona, from wild west, to mining to artists and good food.
Bisbee keeps its character
Bisbee,Arizona street scene circa 1910. The official population that year was 9,019 but is thought to have been much larger.
Bisbee keeps its character
Main Street in Bisbee today, 2011.
Bisbee keeps its character
Walter Krause enjoys his lunch at The Stock Exchange Saloon located on the historic Brewery Gulch in Bisbee. The brokerage firm of Duey and Overlock opened up the stock exchange in 1914 and it continued till 1964.
Bisbee keeps its character
Darlene Kaliher and "Artist" Daniel share a cigarette outside of the Bisbee Grand Hotel and Saloon along Main Street in downtown Bisbee. Kaliher opened up a cafe inside of the saloon where nothing is over ten dollars. T
Bisbee keeps its character
The historic town of Bisbee was founded in 1880 and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee who helped to build the Copper Queen Mine. Today Bisbee is home to many artists and retirees.
Bisbee keeps its character
People cross Main Street in downtown Bisbee. Old buildings are now occupied by antique stores, galleries and jewelry shops.
Bisbee keeps its character
Bisbee's Brewery Gulch, no date. (Opie Rundle Burgess papers, 1880-1943)
Bisbee keeps its character
The Orient Saloon, Bisbee (circa 1903) by photographer W.E. Irwin. A faro game running full blast. Old timers say: "Them dam good days have gone forever." Caption: Man standing at left is Anthony E. "Tony" Downs, part owner of The Orient; seated is the case keeper Jack Granzhorn; man in derby sitting at corner of table just beyond the case keeper is Orient musician M.E. Doyle; right behind Doyle, standing with derby is Dutch Kid; just to the right of Dutch Kid, with light-colored soft felt hat is Sleepy Dick; the porter (also a "hop head" or opium addict); against the wall, seated in the chair is the lookout, Pegleg Johnson; just behind the lookout is A.S. Bassett, Bisbee Review printer; Johnny Murphy is the dealer; and the man wearing the silt tie at right is Isaac "Smiley" Lewis, clerk at The Orient and also known as a gambler and an opium addict.
Bisbee keeps its character
Bisbee is home to many artists including Poe Dismuke who owns a gallery in downtown Bisbee with Sam Woolcott called SAM POE Gallery.
Bisbee keeps its character
The Stock Exchange Saloon located on the historic Brewery Gulch n downtown Bisbee. The brokerage firm of Duey and Overlock opened up the stock exchange in 1914, after the Federal Government enacted and enforced the �Noble Experiment� which banned all alcohol sales and terminated all liquor licenses in Arizona. The stock exchange continued till 1964. The original titles and companies are still listed on the wall.
Bisbee keeps its character
A building covered in graffiti is the entry way to a dog park in downtown Bisbee.
Bisbee keeps its character
Kim Alatorre, left, looks at some earrings while shopping at Va-Voom as Kelly Overacker helps her in the store located in downtown Bisbee. Overacker opened up the vintage clothing store and modern items with her husband 14 years ago.
Bisbee keeps its character
With downtown Bisbee as a backdrop, Oklahoma coaster racer Brodi Asher, 10, approaches the the finish line during a practice run for the Bisbee Coaster Race in 2009. Bisbee has had a downhill coaster race through the center of town for almost a century. On the Fourth of July, Tombstone Canyon, which goes through the middle of Old Bisbee, is closed so drivers can compete for the fastest time.
Bisbee keeps its character
A variety of shops and interesting architecture are main draws among visitors to Bisbee.
Bisbee keeps its character
Bisbee covered with snow in December, 2004.
Bisbee keeps its character
Stairs are a main feature of the landscape of Bisbe. The old mining town is built into the sides of the Mule Mountains and stairs of all shapes and sizes meander through the town.
Bisbee keeps its character
Santiago's Restaurant sits at the corner of Brewery Avenue & Howell Avenue, in Bisbee.
Bisbee was the most prosperous city in the new state of Arizona on Feb. 14, 1912. It retained its rough edges, however, and celebrated statehood in true mining-camp style - setting off 48 sticks of dynamite in a mining hole near its downtown.