Near Kearny in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sonora, Arizona
Photographed 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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 33° 10.124′ N, 110° 59.978′ W. Marker is near Kearny, 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
this page online
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).
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
2. Sonora, Arizona Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 3, 2010
3. Sonora, Arizona Marker
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 November 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,042 times since then and 233 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2023, by Ronald D. (Ron) Trigueiro of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
