Morenci, a copper mining town in Arizona, was the location of a core group of Mexican American families who settled there in the late nineteenth century. These people were economically linked to the mining companies in the area yet they also had a cultural identity independent of the mining companies.	La familia Díaz in 1925 (Courtesy of la familia Díaz)
	This project, conducted from April to July, 2001, collected the oral history of Mexican Americans who lived in Morenci during the Depression and World War II. The individuals were interviewed by Elena Díaz Björkquist and audiotaped. Their collections of photographs were scanned into a computer by Kurt Björkquist.
History is the central discipline of this project. Oral history is a recognized method of gathering and preserving historical information through recorded interviews with participants who share events in their past and their ways of life.	Oral history links: UCLA Oral History Program Indiana University Oral History Research Center Oral History Association UC Berkeley Regional Oral History Office H - Oralhist Baylor University Institute for Oral History
Phelps Dodge Morenci Open Pit Mine	The town was razed in the late sixties to expand the open pit mine. A new Morenci was located in the former Plantsite area. These houses were all owned by the company and only employees of Phelps Dodge Corporation could live in them. As the men retired, they were forced to move elsewhere. The families who had lived in the tight knit community were scattered. Some moved as close as Clifton, York, and Safford. Others to Tucson, Phoenix, and other parts of the Southwest.
In 1921 many Mexicans and Mexican Americans were loaded onto railroad cars and taken to the U.S. - Mexico border. During the Depression the same thing happened. What effect did this have on the families that were sent away and on the ones that stayed in Morenci?	The deportation of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in 1921 (courtesy of Chicano Research Collection, ASU)
Valentine S. Herrera in army uniform, 1945 (courtesy of Valentine S. Herrera)	World War II brought prosperity in the form of jobs, but also rationing for civilians. Young men went to fight in Europe and the Pacific. Some never returned. Others returned heros. Young Mexican American women left home to work in factories or train as nurses. What effect did the war have on the people of Morenci? What happened when the men returned home from the war?
Some of the people of Morenci came from the town of Metcalf, another booming mining town that was destroyed. These people were displaced from their homes twice. How did it feel to lose their physical roots?	Metcalf, Arizona
Morenci circa 1967 (courtesy of Marlin Treadaway)	Morenci residents felt their town was a very special place. What made it so unique?
These questions and others will be addressed by the people who lived in Morenci during those turbulent years.	The voices of the people

 

Guestbook

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Name: Joaquin Alvarado Contreras Date: 2008-07-13 Email: joaquin.a.contreras@gmail.com Comments: My grandfather was born in Metcalf Az in 1917. His name is Rosalio Chico Alvarado. His father, Rofujio Alvarado, worked in the Metcalf mine. I enjoyed reading the stories. I am beginning to understand my family history.

Name: Mary Lou Cervantes Date: 2008-06-07 Email: mlou_cervantes@yahoo.com Comments: My grandmother born in morenci Carmen Cruz Garcia.

Name: jJose' M. Diaz Date: 2008-05-03 Email: josed@newbeginnings.com Comments: Im in the process of building my web page in the near future, i would like to make contact with other Diaz family members world wide

Name: mimaxa_tp http://index1.dimmad.com Date: 2008-04-11 Email: mimaxa_xy@glittergrrrls.com Comments: <a href= http://index4.dimmad.com >teenform secrets</a> <a href= http://index1.dimmad.com >apartments in cortland</a> <a href= http://index3.dimmad.com >naked ethnic men pics</a> <a href= http://index2.dimmad.com >weather channel</a>

Name: Karyn Webb Date: 2008-03-30 Email: soundwebb@yahoo.com Comments: Great find. My Santiago or Galvez relatives lived at AC Hill 229 in 1920.

Name: Herman Fierro Date: 2007-06-12 Email: Fierroherman@aol.com Comments: My grandparents lived in Morenci, German and Jesus Fierro.

Name: Bob Maldonado Date: 2007-06-11 Email: wildcattrojan@aol.com Comments: Intersting set of stories and great pictures. We lived on AC Hill and my parents know yours very well (Beto & Lita Maldonado)

Name: Jim Shoptaw Date: 2006-12-28 Email: jimshoptaw@msn.com Comments: Enjoyed reading. Reminded me of hot summer days when the smoke would cling to everything. I left in 1978 after graduation from MHS.

Name: Marc Malloque Date: 2006-11-10 Email: hm136911@yahoo.com Comments: I was born and raised in Morenci and my parents are both still living in the Safford area after retiring from P.D. I found the site informing and brings back many memories of my days growing up there.

Name: Jeannine Camacho Date: 2006-07-11 Email: myadoni@adelphia.net Comments: Hello, I am the Great Grandaughter of Jose and Josephina Martinez. The Martinez family was one of the biggest in the town of Morenci residing at A Hill 162. Fourteen Children birth range from abt 1906-1932. Elvira, Rosendo, Jose, Maria, Francisco(Pancho whom you make mention of),Aurora, Matilde, Charlie, Ermelinda, David, Esperanza, Eva, Jesus, Connie. There are four still living - Erma, Eva, Es...(trimmed)

Name: Rick Place Date: 2006-03-23 Email: RadsMcgee@aol.com Comments: My family all comes from Morenci and Clifton. Jesus and Anita Camacho were my grand parents. My Mom, Maria Elena, here siters, MArgie, Gloria, Bertha, Socorro and Irene and her borthers Jess and Ernesto and were born there. Me and my cousins were born there and still love to go back and visit. My grand parents lived on Gila st. If you remember any of them please feel free to contact me at john,pl...(trimmed)

Name: Isidro Martinez Date: 2005-12-08 Email: sidmartinez@netzero.com Comments: A am your cousin I also live in Tucson.

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