Near Kerny in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sonora, Arizona
By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
1. Sonora, Arizona Marker
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 33° 10.124′
By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
2. Sonora, Arizona Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kearny, Arizona (approx. 9.4 miles away); Porter Air Locomotive (approx. 9.4 miles away); US 60 History Trail (approx. 10.3 miles away); Robert Taylor 'Bob' Jones (approx. 10.4 miles away); Historic Pinal Cemetery (approx. 11.4 miles away); What is the Story Behind the Picketpost House? (approx. 11.6 miles away); Picket Post Mountain (approx. 11.9 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Kearny, Arizona. The town's website tells the history of the region. (Submitted on August 8, 2010.)
2. The Cline Library at Northern Arizona University. Photo album of the Ray Mine area. (Submitted on August 9, 2010.)
By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
3. Sonora, Arizona Marker
The marker is to the right of the covered viewing area.
By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
4. Turn off From Arizona Hwy 177 to Visitor's Viewpoint.
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 1,143 times since then and 29 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.
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