A post office opened in March, 1896, and soon dozens of other businesses followed, including the Soto Brothers & Renaud General Store, which still stands today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the old structure has been lovingly restored, providing an extremely accurate view of the past. Though the store is not open for business, stopping for a photo opportunity is a must.

Peak production of the Commonwealth was realized quickly in 1896, but it would continue to operate for years. Other businesses included a school, hotels, several saloons, and a motion-picture theater. Many of the town’s early buildings were actually transported over the mountains from Tombstone. The population of Pearce increased to some 1500 residents.

Like other mining towns, Pearce was not always a peaceful place, as miners and cowboys made their way to the new boom town. Though never as lawless as Tombstone, Pearce needed a constable and in 1896 hired George Bravin, who in turn, hired a tough deputy named Burton Alvord. At that time, Alvord still had a reputation as a fearless lawman. Later Alvord would join up with Billy Stiles and the two would form the Alvord-Stiles Gang, robbing trains throughout Arizona Territory and often using Pearce as their headquarters. But, in 1896, Alvord had not yet begun his crime spree and after working as a Pearce deputy for about six months, Bravin decided that there was no longer a need for the toughened lawman and Alvord moved on the Willcox. There, Alvord would gain a reputation as a killer and by the turn of the century would be robbing trains.

Ironically, George Bravin, who by 1900, had moved to Tombstone as a lawman, would again come face to face with Burt Alvord inside his own jail. There, Billy Stiles would help Alvord to escape and in the resulting melee would shoot of two of Bravin's toes.

Meantime, back in Pearce, the new Commonwealth mine owner, John Brockman built a 200-stamp mill. With the rampant thievery going on throughout the territory, the mine deliberately formed their gold bars to heavy that they could not be carried out on horseback. The stamp mill burned to the ground in 1900; however, business was so good that they soon built another. Brockman continued to operate the mine for two more years until he sold it in 1902. In 1904, a cave-in caused the mine to temporarily shut down. But, the shut-down was brief and the following year, a cyanide plant was erected and another fortune was made extracting the tailings. 

The Great Depression took its toll and in the early 1930’s the mine closed and the railroad pulled up its tracks. Over the years, the Commonwealth Mine was one of the richest in Arizona, producing over 15 million dollars in Gold.