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All the United States Arizona Bisbee Bisbee Stairs

Bisbee Stairs

Stairs often replace streets on the steep slopes of this old mining town.

Bisbee, Arizona

Added By
Jane Weinhardt Goldberg
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Stairs, tilework   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Stairs, tilework   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Where mules once trod   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Stairs disappearing behind the leaves   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Not there yet   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Bisbee 1000 mural   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
The beginning of Stairway #3, part of the Bisbee 1000   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
A more forgiving set of stairs   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Unique art along the way   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Outsider art   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
A view from the top   Jane Weinhardt Goldberg / Atlas Obscura User
Stairs above Brewery Gulch   Joe Schallan / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Tucked in a valley in Arizona's majestic Mule Mountains, Bisbee was founded in the late 19th century after the discovery of enormous mineral resources in the area. Having little flat land to work with, the town grew up along the surrounding mountainsides — meaning that stairs were often more sensible thoroughfares than streets in this pre-automobile town.

Most of the staircases found in Bisbee today actually started as dirt paths traversed by mules to carry supplies to the houses perched on the dramatic inclines. Over time the hoof-worn paths were replaced with wooden stairs resembling ladders, which were in turn replaced with concrete stairs by the WPA in the depths of the Great Depression (in fact, the WPA stamp can still be seen today in various places on the stairs). There are many houses in Bisbee that are only accessible by stairs; for this reason, moving companies will often check the location before agreeing to deliver.

Each year Bisbee hosts a road race / stair climb called the Bisbee 1000, a 5K that includes a total of 1034 stairs spread over nine different staircases and a total overall elevation change of 1175 feet. An additional event has also been added called the Ice Man Competition, involving carrying a ten-pound block of ice up 155 steps with antique ice tongs in homage to the ice delivery men of yesteryear.

After mining operations stopped in 1975, Bisbee became a popular place for hippies and artists to resettle. Thus, if strolling and sightseeing are more your style, the stairs are a great way to see Bisbee's own version of outsider art, with frequent street art (and stair art) installations. Every house along the path offers its own unique twist, incorporating found items into their gates, yards and homes.

With thousands of steps scattered through the town, Bisbee is a maze of staircases and desert mountain vistas. There is a wonderful book called "The Bisbee Stairs" by David Ryan which describes 82 stairways with an average of 78 steps each, although some reach over 100. Do note, however, that some stairways are in better shape than others, so step carefully.

Related Tags

Stairs Old West Races Sports Competitions

Know Before You Go

The Bisbee Stairs are interwoven throughout Old Bisbee. 10 stairways are numbered for the Bisbee 1000, with the amount of steps indicated.

Community Contributors

Added By

Jane Weinhardt Goldberg

Edited By

RHyzer, Joe Schallan

  • RHyzer
  • Joe Schallan

Published

May 17, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.gentleartofwandering.com/stair-wandering-in-bisbee/
  • http://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/2015/10/23/bobs-bucket-list-bisbee-stair-climb/72999334/
  • https://wandrlymagazine.com/article/bisbee-1000/
  • http://www.bisbee1000.org/
  • http://www.discoverbisbee.com
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisbee,_Arizona
Bisbee Stairs
AZ-80
Bisbee, Arizona, 85603
United States
31.442783, -109.92069
Get Directions

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Photo of Bisbee

Bisbee

Arizona

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Arizona

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