Bisbee: Scores of History in One Mountain

Center w/ desert flora

Lately, I've had the inclination towards mysterious places, be it spots I chanced upon the inter webs, books or locations I may have visited from before. I do remember going to this Arizona town named Bisbee and to this day I am still perplexed by it’s state. The town stood as if suspended in time, somewhat ghostly, yet one could see the town’s vista in the US92 thoroughfare.

The Lavander Pit

Bisbee, was set up as a prime mining town of copper, gold and silver around 1880 thanks to the nearby Lavander Pit. The quarry was very rich in minerals and has yielded much of the turquoise deposits (known as the Bisbee Blue) in the southwest along with other semiprecious stones like Azurite, Aragonite and Cuprite.

Notice anyone?

As I moseyed through the town I found quite an eclectic, new age-y feel to it. History did also reveal that Bisbee was quite the hippy, counter-culture hub in the 60s and it’s esoteric art all around proves it. 

I spy w/ my little eye: Frida, Elvis and an obscure Hula girl...

Art fence for the communal garden, I think...

Even though Bisbee is the current seat of the Cochise County of Arizona, it had that bucolic feel to it, yea, even a torpidity in the afternoon air. Perhaps when the quarry became depleted, so went it’s energy.  Is the bygone feel Bisbee’s charm today where it sits? That’s for the sojourner to say, isn't it?

Lodge

Would make a nice coffee shop, Ey?

A touch of torpedo...

In an odd way, Bisbee took my interest because it’s like several decades were deposited in one mountain here, the old west Americana, standing true to its motto, “an American Original.” 

~~~

Time Stood Still at Gadsden

Quite a while back I stumbled into a hotel that time forgot in Douglas, Arizona. The town itself was very sleepy in that desert sense with tumbleweeds meeting you as you enter the town, (cue in a duel of quick draw between two cowboys). But I digress, turns out, this hotel named Gadsden which was built in 1907 has stood witness to quite a few historical events and historical people.

During my visit, the hotel was run by laid back staff which is understandable as Douglas itself does not have a lot of tourists anymore. Back in the 1900's, Gadsden was built for cattle ranchers to lodge in  whilst in Douglas when they were away from home. In 1929, it suffered a catastrophic fire but was restored. The style of architecture of the hotel is Renaissance Revival and I deem it as part of the Gilded Age as it was built during that era in America. Check out the rich-colored marble columns and grand staircase.

Lobby

  view from the 2nd floor

It is apparent that when Gadsden was built, no expense was spared for its quality materials, above is an authentic Tiffany stained glass situated on top of the staircase that depicts the Sonora Desert complete with a Saguaro cactus and other desert-scapes.

Just below the Tiffany-stained glass window is this preserved regal lioness in her full size and stateliness.  (Wanted to touch her just to see if she would bite).

Rooms...

It is often the case with hotels and Inns that with age comes the ghost stories. Legends have been spread all over that Gadsden has it's paranormal inhabitants and during Halloween season, this is a popular destination to test those theories. Hmm.

couldn't resist...

more Tiffany glass on the ceiling

Press:
Per research it is noted that Gadsden was used in a Paul Newman, Nastassja Kinski and a Tom Selleck movie. It was also visited by FL Eleanor Roosevelt and Arizona impressionist painter Effie Anderson Smith who resided and completed several paintings in this hotel in the 1940s. Lastly, Gadsden was featured in Travel Channel's Hotel Impossible in 2013 wherein more renovations were conducted.

West, North and Crustaceans :

The West:

This too is a re-post of a superbly conceptualized home in Scottsdale, AZ. And what is not to admire with this structure? the whites comforts the desert, the door, the strategically arranged windows! It's the stuff of good conversation! 15 votes.

The North:

 This is for the theme: "Sacred Sunday" again I believe and it is a very well aged Stained Glass window at St. Margaret's Church in Edinburgh. I must say, that church was a treasure trove for photography! 14 votes.

and by golly, the crustaceans:

The theme "Food Friday" is a very fun and challenging photography theme in Google Plus. Since it's an international crowd up there, one can just imagine the photos from all the corners of the earth that streams in! I love participating in it and I have made the best of virtual friends in this theme of all because cuisine is such a genial topic! 10 votes!

A Southwest Flair

I saw this piece of metal sculpture of a horse in Scottsdale, AZ, around the premises of Bischoff's Shades of West. 

This is a very unique specialty store/studio in that part of the west and I enjoyed photographing the iron works, statues and other arts and crafts.The exterior was quite noteworthy, true to southwestern design and architecture - iron grills, Southwestern-style house, vibrant colors and teak doors.

This horse above must have been meant to be an Appaloosa or a Silverdust, 2 of the breeds of horses I really admire because of the distinct specks and patterns.

And, here are more photos of the exterior and other pieces...