Morenci High School - Copper Cat Yearbook (Morenci, AZ)

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EARLY ORE TRANSPORTATION con- sisted mainly of donkey power, above. Below, HIGH SCHOOL of 1920's. Hav- ing eight levels, each had a ground en- trance. Spiral firecase provided firedrill fun. Right, TOWN SITE of 1905. End of Depression Sees Open Pit a The greatest event in Morenci’s history took place in 1937. In this year, Phelps Dodge began strip- ping for an open pit mine. With the depletion of rich underground ore, the only alternative to becom- ing deserted was to extract the surface copper. In 1942, the pit became a reality and was formally dedicated. At this time, the pit’s potential was claimed to be one of the world’s top five and the smelter was one of the most mod- ern in the nation. By 1943, pro- duction was up to 45,000 tons a day. Today, the Morenci pit is the largest open pit copper mine in Arizona, the second largest in the United States, and the third lar- gest of the world’s copper mines. As Morenci again became a boom town, housing was sparse. By 1942, all flat places on the old Clifton road were occupied by a tent, a car, and awashing machine. Since the 1940’s, Morenci has continued to expand and to grow more modern. Between 1945 and

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UNION PICKET LINES of 1915 strike, above. Left, MINE CLOSING found cit- izens leaving Morenci by railroad cars. schools were built, immigrants began to arrive daily, and churches had parish halls instead of Sunday rented saloons. In 1901, the town of Metcalf was formally founded and by 1910, had grown to a city of approximately 5,000. It remained a thriving town until the 1930 depression hit, and then be- came another western ghost town. In the late 1800’s, the miners of Morenci and Metcalf had formed into labor unions. In 1903, the first strike occurred. Involving the workers of two companies, the disagreements resulted in bloodshed and uninvolved parties were sworn in as deputies to keep the peace. In 1915, and again in 1917, the labor forces went on strike. Though no blood was shed, the unions fought hard to gain their demands and fringe benefits. Between the years of 1918 and 1921, several copper companies sold out and left the area. The final transaction resulted in the total ownership by Phelps Dodge. The next years were uneventful. In 1928, the population of Moren- ci was about 6,000. With the arriv- al of the 1930 depression, towns- people began to leave the town. In 1931, the mines shut down and the town virtually became a ghost town. In 1934, the population was down to its lowest, only about 600 people. A few officials and the town watchmen remained, and Morenci became a little “Mexico.” AGING PROCESSES are shown by the houses above the high school. MODERN HOSPITALS of 1940, left, and 1970, top of page, reveal different locations.

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Reality, Brings Influx of Workers 1965, the town has advanced along with the outside world. The open pit has now advanced into the center of Morenci, constantly eating up the houses and mountains. Therefore, in 1966, a new Morenci was constructed. Since 1966, many new changes have taken place. A dirt fill has been placed across the canyon be- tween “Old Morenci” and “New Morenci”, a second smoke stack has been added, and production has been increased tremendously. Today, in 1972, a hundred years since the first miners came into the district, Morenci is moving faster than ever before. A new highway will take travelers through Morenci instead of to it; a man- made lake is being completed; and the once-deserted Metcalf mines are being processed for open pit mining. Time alone holds the se- cret of Morenci’s second century. THIS IS OUR TOWN: its past, present, and future in ........... MOfifcNCI fcfiAMCM FAMILY TQM. Sports and Activities . . .22 Academics.........08 Classmates........Q4 Community........130 7