John Dunn , in 1877, found a vein of copper in the Mule Mountains. He was in the Army, so he sent George Warren to grubstake his claim (work it for a share). Warren told a few of his friends, and they all went to the area and filed claims, including Dunn's, but Warren worked his own. When Dunn finally was able to come to visit again he was upset and sold his claim for $4,000. Later, George Warren, bet his claim on a foot race, and lost! That claim later became known as the "Copper Queen," producing millions of dollars in copper through the years.
The town that developed was named Bisbee after a San Francisco investor, Judge DeWitt Bisbee, who never saw the mining camp.
By 1878, the copper veins were paying off so well that the ore could be shipped by rail to be smelted in Pennsylvania. By 1879, smelters were operating in Bisbee.
The mines didn't run out of ore and shut down operations until 1975, almost 100 years later. Today, Bisbee has a lot of historic and restored buildings. It is a tourism mecca, and well worth the visit.
To get to Bisbee, take I-10 to exit 303, 304, or 306. Take Highway 80 south for about 55 miles. You will go through Tombstone. All roads are paved.
