Queen Mine Tour

Yesterday we drove out to Bisbee, AZ and went on the Queen Mine Tour.  The Queen Mine is former copper mine. Upon closing in 1975, it was later turned into a tourist attraction. The tour guides are former Queen Mine workers who explain the workings of the mine from it's start in the 1800s through it's closing in 1975. Our guide was very knowledgable and explained how the mining of copper progressed through the years.

The tour is underground, so it is chilly inside. You are outfitted with a hard hat, light and raincoat. I was warm, wearing my son on my chest, but my daughter was chilly in her t-shirt and pants under the rain coat. Therefore, bring long sleeves or a jacket if you get cold easily. The tour took about an hour, but it kept the interest of my kids (most of the time). Near the end my 4 year old just sat and played with her light, but she wasn't complaining to leave.

On the tour you take a mine train 1,500 feet inside the side of a mountain.

 You pass by old shafts that lead to lower levels.

 You make 2 stops while inside the mine. The first stop is where you climb 36 steps up into an old stope. The stope is a large cavern that was created from drilling out copper and other minerals. In the 1800s, the drilling was done by hand (by candlelight) with hammers and chisels. As time passed, air pressure drills were introduced.

 Continuing the journey deeper into the mine, you go to the second stop where you see how the copper and other minerals were loaded onto mule trains, the workings of the elevator system within the mine, where miners would go to the bathroom and how holes were blown into the rock with dynamite.

 

 Heading back to the surface

The drive back home: I love mountain views.