Bisbee, Arizona - Lavender Open Pit Mine

Bisbee, Arizona is a small artsy town that is built on some of the richest mines in the United States.  The town originated in the late 1800's as a mining town, and is still surrounded by mining remnants to this day.  This is what is left of the Lavender open pit mine, which started in 1917 and was closed in 1974.  This mine is 4000 feet wide, north to south, 5000 feet long, east to west, and 850 feet deep at its deepest point.

Even though all of the Bisbee mines closed in 1974, the concentrators still stand as a reminder of the towns prosperous mining days.

  

Although Bisbee was built on mining, it has found a way not only to survive since it's mining ended, but to actually thrive as a beautiful, fun, friendly town.