THE GLEESON HISTORICAL TOUR

$175

This motorized tour starts in Old Bisbee and continues approximately 25 miles North along State Route 80 to the wild west town of Tombstone, Arizona after which it proceeds an additional 16 miles Northeast along Gleeson Road to the ghost town of Gleeson, Arizona. 

Gleeson, like many old mining towns, was abandoned in 1939 after its mining operations terminated.  Nevertheless, Gleeson had a guardian angel and is presently maintained and owned in its entirety by Joe Bono who was born in Gleeson in 1948.  

 In 1890's, a miner named John Gleeson began prospecting in what was initially called the Turquoise Area around Gleeson. It was called Turquoise because of the abundance of turquoise, an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, prized by the native Americans. Finding large deposits of copper, John Gleeson soon filed several claims and opened the Copper Belle Mine. More miners quickly flooded into the area, and new mines with names like Silver Belle, Brother Jonathan, Defiance, and Pejon also sprouted up. On October 15, 1900, the post office opened, supporting a population of about 500, almost all working in the mines. 

Gleeson and its residents, like many of the early mining towns suffered many tragedies, some natural like fire, floods and disease, and some man-made such as those resulting from the unscrupulous conduct and disregard of the mine owners for the welfare of its employees and those resulting from the reckless and lawless behavior and lifestyles of the people who inhabited Gleeson and the surrounding mining towns. 

In this tour, participants will visit and be regaled with stories about the Gleeson Jail which still stands in its former glory, the schoolhouse, the general store, which was owned by Joe Bono's father, the old oak tree which was used to hang many convicted criminals and subjects of vigilante justice, the hospital at which many miners ultimately died from their mining injuries and/or loss of limbs, the trailer which was the site of horrific crimes committed against two your women, the Hudson murder and the Gleeson Cemetery. Tour participants will also visit the site of the largest Gleeson mine, the Copper Belle Mine, which is about 400 feet deep and view the equipment which was used to lower miners into the mine and haul out the ore.

Be sure to bring sunscreen.  There is a ton of memorabilia at the jail so be prepared to take plenty of photographs. Day packs, water and snack will be provided.

This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date.  Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour dated. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.  

Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.  

Click below to book your tour.

Please review the following statement of prohibited conduct / release of liability that each tour / hike participant agrees to as a condition of participation in this tour / hike.