Copper Queen Hotel

Copper Queen Hotel

DESTINATIONS

Bisbee, Arizona

AROUND THE TURN OF the century, the copper mines of Arizona recklessly spawned boom towns all around the state. Today. most of those towns are the habitats of ghosts and hermits; but in Arizona's southeast corner, just north of Mexico, the town of Bisbee continues to be home to a large, thriving copper mine and 8500 devoted residents. And there, in the midst of the refurbished city, the historic Copper Queen Hotel still provides rooms and meals just as it did in the late days of the Old West

Nestled in a deep cleav age between two moun tain ridges, Bisbee itself is an attraction, with its le gions of starving artists and craftsmen special izing in jewelry bedazzled with Bisbee turquoise, a locally mined version of the deep blue-green stone. The town used to be a refuge from raiding Apache war parties for travelers between New Orleans and San Fran cisco, many of whom stayed and influenced the eclectic architectural style of the city.

The Copper Queen, however, is reason enough for modern-day travelers to make the excursion to Bisbee. The hotel has re mained in business since it was first opened, and it talks to its guests with creaking wooden steps and groaning hallways. Of course, its old-fashioned rooms are small by mod ern hotel standards, and each has an uncommonly tall ceiling. In the kitchen, Chef John prepares great I sauces with each entree, and the wine list is by far the best in the area.

Reservations are essen tial because the Queen has only 43 rooms, and they fill up quickly on the weekends. For more information, write: Cop per Queen Hotel, P0. Drawer CQ, Bisbee, AZ 85603; or call (602) 4322216. Camron E. Bussard