Interview Archive

Betsy Thornton moved to Bisbee in the 1970s with her husband, sculptor Ralph Kaufman, after leaving New York City. In her interview, she reflects on how artists transformed the town by buying affordable homes, starting galleries, and influencing local politics despite initial hostility from miners and city leaders. She discusses Bisbee’s shift from an artist community to a tourist destination, the impact of gentrification, and the potential reopening of the mines, which many artists oppose due to environmental concerns.

Joy Timbers moved to Bisbee with her husband and quickly felt welcomed by the community. In her interview, she discusses how the town transitioned from a mining hub to a thriving cultural destination, with activities like hiking and local support driving its revival after the mine closure. She reflects on the challenges brought by COVID-19, the town's resilience, and the tight-knit nature of the community, which helped Bisbee recover when other nearby towns struggled.

Mike Anderson moved to Bisbee after his wife fell in love with the town's atmosphere. In his interview, he shares how Mayor Chuck Ends made a bold decision to shift Bisbee’s focus toward tourism, which helped revive the town after mining declined. He discusses how attractions like the Queen Mine became central to the town’s identity and how real estate prices plummeted after the mine closures, while also touching on the town's historical ties to the Phelps Dodge Corporation and its impact on Bisbee.

Sally Holcomb, a longtime Brisbane resident, has strong family ties to mining. Despite moving due to job shifts and mine closures, she remained a key part of the community. She witnessed miners' struggles, including forced relocations and lost retirement benefits. With many relatives lacking formal education, she saw firsthand the era’s social challenges. Her generation was the first to engage with social services amid a rising drug trade. Reflecting on Brisbane’s evolution since the 1970s, she notes tourism’s rise and shifting demographics.

Chris Dietz is a scientist and poet who moved to Bisbee in 1980, attracted by its rich history, diverse ecosystems, and affordable living. In his interview, he talks about the town’s transformation after the mines closed, the effects of gentrification, and the complex social dynamics within Bisbee’s artist community.

Mike Thorton is a community music radio station host and moved to Bisbee during its post-mining town renaissance. Mike moved to Bisbee because of the thriving hippie culture and low cost of living. He discusses the history of Bisbee, the internal colonization of Arizona, resource extraction of the mind and their long lasting effects on Bisbee’s community.

Rita Verri is from New York and moved to Bisbee Arizona in the 90s because of Bisbee’s thriving culture of friendly people, artisan and craftsmanship, practicing free spirited hippies, and low cost of living. Rita rented throughout her time at Bisbee and left 21 years ago due to the rising costs, high unemployment rate and poverty, rising tourism, and lack of funding towards education. Rita touches on Bisbee’s central school project where she has an established theater space at a low cost to preserve Bisbee’s artist culture.

Boyd Nichole moved to Bisbee in 1978 to raise his family, drawn by its community and affordability. In his interview, he reflects on Bisbee’s transformation after mining declined, his environmental activism, and concerns about gentrification, rising housing costs, and the challenges future generations will face.

Laura Swan moved to Bisbee in 1990 with her family for safety after a traumatic event in California. She reflects on running the local newspaper since 1998, Bisbee's cultural survival post-mining, and challenges like economic hardship, homelessness, and political divides, while highlighting the town's strong community bonds.

Gordon Berry arrived in Brisbane in 1975 and quickly embraced its unique culture despite economic struggles. Low rent made living affordable, with many paying as little as $30 a month. Progressive youth and "rainbow people" brought a California-inspired influence, though discrimination against Hispanics persisted until older generations passed. He recalls poetry gatherings that brought new ideas and visitors. Now 72, he sees the Warren area as key to Brisbane’s growth, with wealthy retirees funding essential services.

Betsy Breault is an artist who moved to Bisbee in 1969 after growing up in a mining town in western Pennsylvania. In her interview, she reflects on the town’s vibrant artist community, the miners’ strike for higher wages, and the racial and ethnic divisions that shaped Bisbee’s history.

Brenda Moraez, a lifelong Brisbane resident, is committed to the city’s growth. As Brisbane Foundation president for two years, she focused on endowment-funded programs like scholarships and restoration projects. Over time, the church became central to her and the community. She reflects on Brisbane’s resilience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and believes in its strong, enduring spirit shaped by generations, including her own.

Susan Wiley is originally from Oregon and moved to Bisbee in 1999 because of the welcoming community and inexpensive housing, in which she paid 67,000 dollars for her home. Susan started a project in Bisbee writing for the local newspaper about the history of Bisbee. She discusses the vast history of the town including the deportation of indigenous communities, the mining company, and stories of Bisbee residents.

Judy Perry is a painter known for her unique style, creating murals and paintings that capture the spirit of Bisbee. In her interview, she shares her journey of moving to the town in 1976 after losing her theater job in Tucson, reflecting on Bisbee’s mining history, its strong artist community, and the challenges of gentrification.