An economic depression following World War I led to a drop in the price of copper. This in turn led to Phelps Dodge (P.D.) closing the copper mine in Morenci. Mexicans and Mexican Americans were given free transportation on the railroads owned by P.D. to El Paso.

To the upper left of the photo above, is the Phelps Dodge Mercantile Store. Gathered on the catwalk are on lookers watching the train being loaded. In the lower left is one of the few cars in Morenci during that time period. In the foreground is a man on a mule.

In the photo below, the train depot is to the right. The railroad cars are open flatcars. To the upper left is the stone wall below the Morenci Hotel.