Originally built in 1882, the hotel was in continuous operation until July 2007. The hotel is now closed. The hotel was built by a railroad telegrapher by the name of John Rath with the purpose of serving railroad crews traveling through the town. After its opening in 1882, the Cochise Hotel served many purposes for the local community. These purposes included serving as the Wells Fargo office, the telegraph office and the local mail stop. In 1899, Big Nose Kate, the famed sidekick of Doc Holliday, was hired to work in the hotel after Hollidays' death.