Near Kerny in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sonora, Arizona
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
1. Sonora, Arizona Marker
Inscription.
Sonora, Arizona. . Immigrant Mexican miners working for the Ray Consolidated Copper Company named the town of Sonora, built near here in 1911. It boomed as a thriving, dynamic community, rich in Mexican culture, language and traditions. In the mid-1950's, the company began to expand its open pit operation, gradually advancing upon the town from the east. By 1965, it became necessary to close Sonora and relocate the miners to a new town named Kearny. Sonora was demolished in 1966., Sonora's close-knit residents shared common bonds of family, friendship and the dream of a better life. Although they were moved and scattered, many went on to fulfill their dreams, becoming successful in business, public service, and education. The town of Sonora continues to live in the memories of the original settlers and their descendants. . This historical marker was erected in 1999 by Arizona Department of Transportation. It is Near Kerny in Pinal County Arizona
Immigrant Mexican miners working for the Ray Consolidated Copper Company named the town of Sonora, built near here in 1911. It boomed as a thriving, dynamic community, rich in Mexican culture, language and traditions. In the mid-1950's, the company began to expand its open pit operation, gradually advancing upon the town from the east. By 1965, it became necessary to close Sonora and relocate the miners to a new town named Kearny. Sonora was demolished in 1966.
Sonora's close-knit residents shared common bonds of family, friendship and the dream of a better life. Although they were moved and scattered, many went on to fulfill their dreams, becoming successful in business, public service, and education. The town of Sonora continues to live in the memories of the original settlers and their descendants.
Erected 1999 by Arizona Department of Transportation.
N, 110° 59.978′ W. Marker is near Kerny, Arizona, in Pinal County. Marker can be reached from Arizona Route 177 at milepost 156. Marker is at the Ray Open Pit Mine visitor's viewpoint, about 0.3 miles north of Arizona Highway 177. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kearny AZ 85137, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is to the right of the covered viewing area.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
4. Turn off From Arizona Hwy 177 to Visitor's Viewpoint.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
5. Site of Sonora, Arizona
Ray Open Pit Mine as viewed from marker. Those little dots are 275 ton ore trucks.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,665 times since then and 239 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.