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

Page 9 text:

OLD TOWN AS IT STOOD in the early I900's. Most of it has been swallowed up by the continued growth ofthe Morenci Open Pit Mine. ,N 'NIA ' -QT: I ly. , W 9 ' . +QW3'Q 1 .s .. . . X' 411 ,. K.- tgt,-L 1-551 AREA RESIDENTS of the early I900's. A CATTLE drive down the San Francisco River was not an uncommon event many years ago. Big game hunters enter the Southwest Divisions ofthree major Indian tribes Coronado's Expedition 9500 B.C. 900A.D. I540A.D. ,. ffregi f .qi 1 4 S- Ki an A A ,, 5.5. 0 Q, t . K t .,.Y -, ,, P K K Ki? ,K :K as 1 blog. ' F ' . f' , M0 1 .r'. V,. ,. 11 . - 9 1 Uh- W .AES 30110 ,v 5 7 -in - i ,I ' ' R 'fe X .,551f.g ,F t. ti I ,, . . ,.K,..,,1.1 .,k K 5 '-wg, '-'- 1 ' f - - f e '- 'Xt K A i w e i.. 1' X ' . ', ' K K A K' - 'MOIQSICI 1 K 1, - .K 2 if srubac I 3 -s., w1g.givf9a 1z i: was -- msn, fwfr 'iqififg . 3 .w J A , K' N 'if - A rf ! ff if ' H - - I 9500 B.C. ,

Page 8 text:

Nineteen Hundred Seventy-six Celebrating the Bi-Millennium of the Southwest With our nationls two hundredth birthday here, it's time to reflect on our own area's history. Ar- chaeologists have determined that Arizona has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years. This makes Morenci's heritage rich and varied. The early residents of Arizona were nomadic hunters who entered this area in 9500 B.C. They e- volved into three distinct groups: the desert-dwelling Hohokam, the Anasazi, and the Mogollon in the White Mountains. By the 1500's, when the first Europeans arrived, there were fifteen separate tribes. After Spanish adventurers con- quered Mexico, opportunists be- gan to explore northwards. The first white man to set foot in Ari- ' .4 a 'VH - . V 6 f..,w..,,, ,V vf,h K '.,,,w , 4 W H , . , .. M W A .af , , , , .. .,.g .Q W , H 'Hf'-,',1 ' ., , V, g. .5 , H. ly ' ,.. w , . 3 f EARLY mining techniques included ore trains hauled by mules and horses from the mines. Colorado River begins to cut the Grand Canyon 2,000,000 B.C. First Inhabitants migrated from Asia 15,000 B.C. S3 .EQ ee 6 Q l B b 6 Slew zona was Fray Marcos de Niza in 1739. False tales of wealth led Coronado to launch a major expe- dition. He returned two years la- ter knowing much more about the Southwest. His expedition put an end to exploration for forty years. The next explorers were led by Spanish priests in 1609. The em- pire of Spain had begun to spread northwards. Father Eusebio Kino, one of Arizona's early pioneers, started a chain of missions in 1687 that spread to the Gila River. Af ter Kino died, Arizona was lected until the Jesuits came. friars of St. Francis were next 1767. All of the tribes except Apache, who came to be a received missions in The first years of Mexican pendence through 1830 were ful, because the Apaches had calmed. Land grants brought miners, ranchers, and During this period, mountain came to Arizona. These were advance guards of English-speak ing pioneers, who contributed t the impatience felt with the la Mexican rule. This growing dis content, as well as other factors erupted into the Mexican-America War in 1846. By 1848, the terri tory north of the Gila River wa the property of the U.S. The re mainder of the state was acquire in the Gadsden Purchase in 1854 Even though the Arizona are claimed to be southern sympathiz ers, Charles Poston was able t pass a bill in Congress to mak Arizona an official U.S. territory President Lincoln signed the bil on February 24, in the year 1863 By 1886, various governors had brought order and civilization t the territory. Postal routes, tel

Page 10 text:

O Morenci. . .A Mosaic of Time and People egraph lines, and railways were set up. A. P. K. Safford set up the first public school system in 1877. Copper found at Morenci, Bisbee, Ajo, and Jerome, along with silver at Tombstone, enticed settlers. Most of the tribes were placed on reservations, and the marauding Apache Chief, Geroni- mo, had surrendered. The first university was founded in Tucson. As the wealth and population of the territory increased, several bills aimed for statehood were in- troduced into the U.S. Congress, but were voted down. In 1903, a joint statehood bill with New Mex- ico was introduced, but Arizona legislators refused to consider it. They vowed to fight any policy that would cost Arizona her name, i- dentity, or history. An enabling act signed by Taft, the constitution drawn up, and Arizona became the THE DESERTED club and garden of old Morenci soon will be gone leaving only memories. The Arizona Territory Major Copper Strikes 48th state on February 14, 1912. Since Arizona's birth as a state, it has grown to over two million people. Arizona .is noted for its' agriculture, tourism, and mining, but it is mining that has become the backbone of the state's econ- omy. Arizona is the major cop- per producer in the U.S. today, with Morenci contributing more than 12.8696 of its' total output. The Morenci area in 1902 was producing around 675 tons of pure refined copper each month. By 1912, the town had survived a ma- jor strike, and had rebuilt after a large fire. Closing the mines in 1931, the depression stopped the boom. The town returned to life in 1937 when Phelps-Dodge began stripping for an open pit mine. It was dedicated in 1942, and pro- duction was up to 425,000 tons of ore a day in 1943. The moving of the picturesque town three miles down the mountain, and the open- ing of the Metcalf Open Pit Mine in December, 1974, are the latest developments in Morenci's history. Greenlee County Founded 1864 A.D. 1870 A.D. 1909 A.D. 1-.1 Dimmu vm g ' 'X ' cutout.,-Q W. i - V C. N.. ,. I x l 5 ..... - ....,- HA i Y f 1 to., , 1- , My ff F H . fs. . , . - Orff R s. . .4 . .,.,,.f,G I r .Wim - .,. L,.,1,1 ,, ., ,b T. f. In 1 ,I 4, Q ,.1 K P 1 HN x ' Il. 1 A , is. .ws- 4, 1 wt 1 ,if L' .1 Y 41. I!!! Q 500 B.C. IAD