Lowell AZ: Bisbee’s Living Time Capsule on Erie Street
Experience Pure 1950s Americana on a Private Jeep Tour
Just southeast of Old Bisbee lies a stretch of asphalt where time completely stood still. Welcome to Erie Street in Lowell, AZ - a living photograph of mid-century Americana lined with vintage 1940s and 1950s cars, retro neon signs, and old-fashioned gas pumps.
Once a booming copper mining town, Lowell is now an unmissable roadside photo op and a flagship stop on almost every Big Jeep Tour. When you roll down Erie Street with us, you aren't just sightseeing; you're traveling with Travis Bishop, a 4th-generation local whose great-grandfather worked the historic Lowell Mine right here starting in 1913.
Frank Hanchett, Founder of Lowell AZ
Lowell, Arizona, was founded by mining entrepreneur Frank Hanchett. In 1899, Hanchett opened a 900-foot mine shaft and hired over 60 miners. He also helped build the town by adding boarding houses, a trolley line, and a train depot.
This historic mining community holds a special meaning for Big Jeep Tours. Our guide Travis has deep family roots here. His great-grandfather and great-uncles arrived in 1913 to work right inside Hanchett's Lowell Mine. When your Jeep drives down Erie Street today, you are traveling through a landscape shaped by both copper mining history and our own family legacy.
In Lowell, AZ, his passion took a new turn.
"I’ve always rooted for the underdog, and that is exactly what Lowell is," Jay Allen told KGUN 9 News.
To help the town bounce back, Jay moved to Erie Street and started the Lowell Americana Project. He volunteered his own time and money to bring the street back to life. Jay lined the road with vibrant neon signs, old-fashioned gas pumps, beautifully restored storefronts, and a collection of classic cars. Today, Erie Street looks just like a real 1950s Arizona town. It is like stepping into a living photograph and stands out as a must-see stop on our Big Jeep Tours.
Jay Allen’s Biker Legacy
Jay Allen: The Biker Legend Who Revived Erie Street
Jay Allen is a legendary figure in the motorcycle world, known everywhere for his high energy and showmanship. He is best known as the founder of the famous Broken Spoke Saloon. He turned it into an iconic biker bar with massive, successful locations at major events like the Sturgis and Daytona rallies.
Beyond building the world’s biggest biker bar, Jay is a true motorcycle enthusiast. His impressive career includes setting land speed records and hosting popular motorcycle roadshows all across America. Wherever he goes, Jay uses his passion to bring people together, celebrate motorcycle heritage, and build strong communities.
