Lowell Historic District & Erie Street - Bisbee, AZ
This week I’m thrilled to partner with Discover Bisbee again. Back in April we shared a Complete Guide to Visiting Bisbee, Arizona with you, and this week we’re heading back to this charming town for an in-depth look at the Lowell Historic District. Join me as we step back in time to explore the vintage cars and old storefronts that line the photogenic Erie Street.
Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
Location
Located in beautiful Cochise County only 11 miles from the US/Mexico border, Lowell is one of several suburb communities within the city of Bisbee, which is situated just over a mile high in elevation in the heart of the Mule Mountains. The Lowell Historic District along Erie Street is located about a mile and a half south of Old Bisbee off Highway 80, just past the Lavender Pit.
Erie Street in the Lowell Historic District
Vintage cars & signs along Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
Lowell Origins
Known as the “Copper Queen” of Arizona, the town of Bisbee was founded in 1880...and in 1899, Frank Hanchett of Lowell, Massachusetts, purchased property here and began the Lowell & Arizona Copper Mining and Smelting Company. It’s believed that both the mine and the town were named for Hanchett’s Massachusetts hometown. As mining operations grew quickly, so did the town of Lowell. Soon Erie Street was established as the town center, and by 1905 Lowell boasted numerous saloons, a railroad depot, a livery stable, boarding houses, eateries, a post office, as well as several “houses of ill repute”. Nearly half of the Bisbee population lived in Lowell by 1910...and by the 20s, Lowell had grown to well over 6,000 people. The community was vibrant with schools, shops, churches, saloons, family homes and the first movie theatre in the district. U.S. Highway 80 was even the first paved road in Arizona from Bisbee to Douglas.
Vintage cars & storefronts along Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
Lavender Pit in Bisbee, AZ
Lavender Pit
The Lavender Pit, an open pit copper mine, began to operate in 1950...and as it grew, more than half of the town of Lowell was in the direct path of this giant pit. Soon over 250 homes and businesses needed to be moved for the Lavender Pit’s continued development, so Lowell residents were offered a buyout for their homes (which would be demolished), or the mining company offered to move their structures to a new site. The town of Lowell nearly disappeared as the Lavender Pit continued to grow and develop. The pit would go on to produce over 86,000,000 tons of ore and nearly 600 tons of copper, silver, gold, and even turquoise byproducts before mining operations ended in 1974.
Today the Lavender Pit covers an area of 300 acres and is 900 feet deep. A large pull off and parking area leads to the Lavender Pit Mining Overlook. This makes for a quick but interesting stop. Fence cut-outs allow for unobstructed photos and informational displays share about the history and mining process here.
Lowell’s Erie Street in Bisbee, AZ
Erie Street
The majority of Lowell was lost to the Lavender Pit’s mining operations, but Erie Street was saved, and it has been beautifully preserved for years. Business owners and locals have worked together to create a spectacular outdoor gallery of sorts, preserving and highlighting this town as it once was. Some of the main attractions include the vintage vehicles lining the street, along with an old greyhound bus, numerous motorcycles, the old police station, antique signs & advertisements, and the movie theater.
Vintage car with antique signs along Erie Street
Lowell Americana Project
The Lowell Americana Project is dedicated to continuing the work of preserving this Arizona time capsule in a beautiful way. You can find out more about their work here and consider making a donation at the counter jukebox inside the Bisbee Breakfast Club on your visit here to support their efforts of keeping this place vibrant for visitors like us. Erie Street is often considered one of the most photographed streets in the west...it’s been featured in films and used as a backdrop for many recording artists, such as Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, and many more.
Bisbee Breakfast Club along Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
Country Fried Steak & Biscuits with Gravy at the Bisbee Breakfast Club
Bisbee Breakfast Club
If you want to feel like you’re stepping back in time all by yourself, I’d recommend visiting this historic district early in the morning (before 10 am). I arrived at 8am on my recent visit, and I had Erie Street to myself for almost an hour before the tourist traffic began to pick up. If you do visit in the morning, bring your appetite! Located in the historic pharmacy building, the Bisbee Breakfast Club has a fun throwback Americana atmosphere. Our server, Mitsy, made us feel like family from the moment we entered. The food is not only delicious, but the portions are beyond generous...and for our fellow “Parks & Rec” fans, there is even a menu option celebrating “Uncle Ronnie Swanson”, which includes a double portion of meat and a shot of Lagavulin! 😄
Old gas station along Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
Vintage taxi along Lowell’s Erie Street in Bisbee, AZ
Know Before You Go
• Erie Street is a wonderful spot to peruse vintage vehicles and historic storefronts close up, but please be respectful of posted “do not touch” signs. Please refrain from touching or leaning on the vehicles as you pose for pictures.
• Although this is an “outdoor museum” of sorts, Erie Street is still an active roadway, so be thoughtful and alert for driving cars as you explore.
• If you’re flying into Arizona, drive-time to Bisbee and Lowell is 1.5 hours from Tucson International Airport and about 3.25 hours from Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
• Due to the proximity of the US/Mexico border, expect to come across Border Patrol checkpoints along northbound highways in the area.
Top 10 Things to Do In & Around Bisbee
Lowell & Erie Street
Lavender Pit
Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
Tombstone
Antique Shopping
Lowell Historic District in Bisbee, AZ
In Summary & Post Sponsor
I’d like to give a huge thank you to the sponsor of this post, Discover Bisbee. Make sure to visit the official Discover Bisbee website and Instagram account for information on what to do in & around this beautiful and historic mining town.
Thanks so much for joining me this week for a step back in time on Erie Street. For a virtual visit of Lowell, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week. I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Vintage taxi along Erie Street in Lowell, AZ
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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