Yay, Bisbee! Southern Arizona town named best historic small town in nation
May 5, 2016, 8:00 AM | Updated: 2:15 pm
PHOENIX — A small town in southern Arizona has been named the best historic small town in the nation, according to USA Today.
The city of Bisbee was named the best historic small town nationwide by the publication.
The historic mining town lies about 90 miles outside of Tucson, home to University of Arizona. It was founded in 1880 as a copper, gold and silver mining town and was named after a once-well known judge who funded the nearby Copper Queen Mine.
The town’s tourism director Jen Luria said visitors can even take a tour of the underground Copper Queen Mine.
“The mine tour takes you 1,500 feet into one of the old mines that we have here,” she said. “And we have a big open pit mine that you can take a look at.”
Bisbee is home to several historic sites, such as the Heritage Stairs, Copper Queen Library and Iron Man sculpture.
Many visitors visit the town to purchase and collect turquoise jewelry, as well as visit the old county courthouse.
Bisbee beat out towns such as Thomasville, Georgia; Abingdon, Virginia; Mickinac Island, Michigan and Astoria, Oregon.
The towns that rounded out the top 10 were Solvang, California; Sitka, Alaska; Hudson, New York; Williamsburg, Virginia and Dahlonega, Georgia. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the historic mining town of Bisbee, Arizona!
KTAR News’ Bob McClay contributed to this report.
