Tour the Bullion Plaza Museum in Miami, Arizona, Home of the McKusick Tiles in Historic Miami
Adventure in Eastern Arizona
At the Bullion Plaza Museum in the copper mining town of Miami, Arizona, we will enjoy a peek at the culture and history of Gila County, and more specifically Miami-Globe, AZ, where tough, single-minded people strove to make a life for their families in an arid, somewhat isolated, and at times very unforgiving land. Copper was and still is the lifeblood of Miami and Globe, Arizona.
Drilling for Copper
The next stop in your visit is the mining exhibit (donated by the local mines and found and restored by local mining enthusiasts). The early black and white photos of mining life and the old equipment used in the mines are striking. Photos of men using pneumatic drills that used air pressure to blow away dust (sometimes with water spray, sometimes without) bring home the fact that mining in Arizona is what made the state, but it was also a difficult life. Early photos of Miami and Globe show how it expanded with time. Of interest to visitors will be a rejuvenated hoist bucket, air circulation pump, ore crushers, star drills, and pneumatic bits, and carbide lamps—and much more!
Cattle Ranching Was Important, too.
The next room of memorabilia is filled with the history of ranching in Gila County. All contributions to the museum are from locals motivated to tell the Globe-Miami story.
Of note is the Bohme Ranch, northwest of Miami and home to one of the most influential ranching families in the area. In the room, you can see a model 1886 Winchester short rifle abandoned in the high desert area. Speculation has it that a cowboy may have fallen from a horse and broken his leg, not able to move. There are vintage tools and cowboy relics. Here also is the Hardt room where guest speakers talk about the history of the area once a month.
Find Chalo's Mexican Restaurant Here
Taste A Great Mexican Cuisine
Are you ready for lunch? This local Mexican restaurant is recommended by many. I frequent the restaurant for authentic Mexican food, and DELICIOUS!
At Chalo's, you can find the recipes and ingredients of Mexican cuisine. It is the home of good bean rice, salsa, chips and grilled beef. On top of that, they have a delicious beer selection.
Chalo's is well known for its great service and friendly staff. Most reviewers find the prices are reasonable. The decor and quiet atmosphere are a plus, also.
Miners Mine Minerals!
There are mineral displays (all minerals recovered within 100 miles of the museum), a national defense display (equipment from the Iraq-Afghanistan theater including nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare instruments), WW1, WW11, Korea, and Vietnam era uniforms, and many other displays, You will also find German uniforms and Mausers, a room featuring accomplished musicians from Miami, an Inspiration Mine hospital history, dioramas, early American firefighting equipment, and more.
The Classic Appeal of the Old West
This imposing building with classic columns in front hearkens back to a time when life was different. Climbing the steps and walking through its tall front doors, one is reminded of another age of pioneer life.
To the left is a room dedicated to Gila County political figures highly respected by the local population. Bigger than life is a painting of Governor Rose Mofford, Arizona governor from 1988 to 1990. Hailing from Globe, Arizona, Mofford was a hardworking politician, and had what I will call an "old western charm." In addition, there are biographies of Bill Hardt (Arizona state senator), Ed Pastor (congressman from Arizona's 4th congressional district), and Romana Banuelos, the first Mexican-American and 34th Treasurer of the United States (1971-1974).
McKusick Tiles Are Precious
A local artist and ceramics expert, Bob McKusick is also featured. Mr. McKusick found clay deposits in the area and began mixing his own clay and creating his own glazes. While living in Tucson, McKusick and his wife saw a housing boom in the '50s and the bulldozer's blade cutting up the desert. They feared that future residents would not know of the animal life of that desert. For that reason, he wanted to preserve true images of desert animals and native American culture in his tile works. His tiles show incredible detail and beautiful color. One display of southwestern Indian ceremonial headdresses, animals, and native pueblos includes a series of 41 tiles. These tiles were authenticated by a well-known native American named White Bear. The tiles guarantee one more source of a true description of native American culture (Hopi) in the area. Mr. McKusick is also the creator of bas-relief murals found across the state of Arizona.
The McKusicks focused on native plants and animals of the Arizona desert.
Directions
Take a left at the intersection of Arizona State Route 188 and Arizona State Route 60 and go for about 2.5 miles west of the intersection on ASR 60. Having been settled in the 19th century by miners, the distance between towns was shorter than we are accustomed to since the means of conveyance was the horse. This area, which to this day is one of the richest copper-producing areas of the world, has three towns, sometimes referred to as the Tri-cities, in close proximity. From east to west you will travel through Globe, Claypool, and Miami.
The museum is housed in the old Bullion Plaza School. The school was built to provide for the needs of the local native American population and Hispanic children. From its beginning in 1923, the Bullion Plaza School was an institution viewed with pride in the community. In 1950, the school was integrated. Later, it became site of the Miami High School. In 1999, due to its historical significance and architecture, the school was leased to the town of Miami.
The Particulars
The Bullion Plaza Museum, open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, has no admission fee, but donations are welcomed. If you don't take the 2.5-mile detour east at the junction of ARS 188 and ARS 60, you are missing a great chance for insight into a community's mining history, patriotic sense, and multicultural heritage. Whether it be Welsh, Cornish, Irish, Hispanic, or many other immigrants seeking the mines to better themselves while building strong families and a way of life, their legacy is well-represented in the Bullion Plaza Museum. Don't miss it!
Update...
The museum is staffed by volunteers and has received gifts from the community, picked to represent a cross-section of mining life. One of the latest extensions to the museum is a gift shop. In the near future, a feature for online shopping will be available.
And not to be the only new development to this wonderful repository, BHP Copper-Miami donated mineral specimens from all over Arizona. The cabinets housing these samples were also donated. The exhibits are all from the early 20th century.
The museum's name has been formalized to the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum.
Miami, Claypool, Globe Popular Restaurants
Chalo's Casa Reynoso | ||
|---|---|---|
Guayo's El Rey | Mexican cuisine | Fantastic Mexican food |
De Marcos Restaurant | Italian cuisine | Great Italian food |
George's Hamburger Shop | Drop Dead Burgers | |
Judy's COOK HOUSE | American cuisine | The chili burger is the best! |
On a first visit to the tri-city area of Miami, Claypool, and Globe, you cannot miss by visiting one of these eateries.
Sources
Online Menu of Chalo's Casa Reynoso Restaurant, Globe, Arizona, 85501 - Zmenu
Town of Miami, Arizona (2022). Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum in Historic Miami, Arizona. Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum. Historic Miami, Arizona
Staff (2024). Miami, Arizona, Miami Arizona – Western Mining History
Staff (2025). Arizona Silver Belt, Bullion Plaza: History, Hauntings, and Heritage - Arizona Silver Belt
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