What Makes The Lavender Pit In Bisbee A Unique Attraction?

The Lavender Pit in Bisbee is a truly remarkable sight. What may seem like a hole in the ground actually contains a rich history. The Lavender Pit comes from a time when Bisbee was a copper mining hub. What's the story behind the lavender pit and how'd it get its name?

Bisbee Arizona. / Photo by Canva

History

Copper mining has shaped Bisbee, Arizona, since the late 1800's. In the early 20th centuary underground mining became more expensive and a lot more dangerous. This led to the development of open-pit methods.

Open-pit mining starts with locating deposits. After the deposits have been located, vegetation and wildlife are cleared from the area. After that, the ground is then drilled and blasted until the ore comes loose from the soil and rocks. In 1950, Bisbee switched to this form of mining.

Example of an open-pit mine. / Photo by Canva

Harrison M. Lavender

Some assume the Lavender pit is named after unique sandstone walls and the color of the water in the basin, but that isn't true. This open mining pit was named after Harrison M. Lavender. Harrison M. Lavender was an engineer with the Dodge and Phelps Company, the company that owned the Copper Queen mines at the time. He believed the best way to get copper and other minerals out of Bisbee's rock was to dive into open-pit mining.

Mr. Lavender created the open pit mine in 1950. He passed away in 1952, but the mine continued it's opperation until 1974. According to the Arizona Geological Survey, throughout its 24 years of operation, roughly 75 million tons of ore were extracted. Most notable among these ores is the "Bisbee Blue." Bisbee blue is a rare type of high-quality turquoise only found in the Lavender Pit.

READ: How Ed Shefflin Discovered Silver And Founded Tombstone

Copper. / Photo by Canva

Tourism

Since the mine's closure, the Lavender Pit has become a major tourist attraction. It is a sight to see; it is 900 feet deep and over 4000 feet wide. The tourist site is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, according to Discover Bisbee.

Visitors of the lavender pit can park, step out, and view informational plaques and the pit itself. If you would like to visit, the site is located off Highway 80 between Lowell and Old Bisbee.

Get our free mobile app

Bisbee. / Photo by Canva

Bisbee's Lavender Pit is a symbol of the city's days as the Queen of Copper. What started as a source of ore and money has since become an iconic staple of the city. With such a rich history, are you adding the Lavender Pit to your itinerary next time you stop in Bisbee?

CONTINUE READING: How Bisbee Became The Queen Of Copper Camps