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Lowell AZ: Erie Street Americana

Classic autos parked on a street with Americana storefronts and a partly cloudy sky.

Experience 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.

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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.

Historic 1903 panoramic postcard of the Lowell AZ mining town and copper operations in Bisbee Arizona.
A man wearing sunglasses and a black polo shirt stands amidst a large, dense collection of vintage motorcycles inside a cluttered warehouse or garage.

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.

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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.

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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.

A historic, vintage-style desert street lined with old-fashioned brick buildings, classic antique cars, and retro business signs under a clear blue sky.

Faqs

  • Is Lowell Part of Bisbee?

    • Yes, Today Lowell and Erie Street are within Bisbee city limits and sit 1 mile away from downtown Old Bisbee.​

  • ​Is Erie Street an active business district?​

    • Not anymore. The Bisbee Breakfast Club is currently there but will be moving to Old Bisbee soon. Lowell is set up for Americana display and frequently hosts photo and movie shoots.​

  • Is Erie Street the only part of Lowell?​

    • Not at all. The Shady Dell, Lowell School, and the Evergreen Cemetery are nearby and part of most Big Jeep Tours.

  • Does Lowell look like Old Bisbee?

    • No, Lowell is more open and the start of the foothills terrain of Bisbee city limits, while Old Bisbee occupies the mountain and canyon part of the city.​

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