Workers at Phelps Dodge Morenci Mine
Workers for the Phelps Dodge Company stand outside the Morenci Mine
photo id: 116
Workers for the Phelps Dodge Company stand outside the Morenci Mine
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 116
Loop #2 in the Morenci Southern Railroad
When building the Morenci Southern Railroad, the surveyors had to find a way to overcome the 1,400-foot rise in elevation from the San Francisco River to the town of Morenci. The solution was to loop the track with a series of five loops through the Morenci Gulch. The first loop was at Morenci. Loops #2, #3 and #4 were in the canyon and were constructed with wood trestles and the final loop went through one of tunnels by the San Francisco River. The railroad was completed in 1901, and was nicknamed "the cork screw railroad of America". The railroad connected Morenci with the Arizona and New Mexico railroad at Guthrie,18 miles away. Because of the heavy grades and numerous curves the trains contained only three cars and a caboose. Two hours were required for a single trip. In 1914, three loops were replaced by switchbacks. The Morenci Southern Railroad was in operation until 1922.
photo id: 117
When building the Morenci Southern Railroad, the surveyors had to find a way to overcome the 1,400-foot rise in elevation from the San Francisco River to the town of Morenci. The solution was to loop the track with a series of five loops through the Morenci Gulch. The first loop was at Morenci. Loops #2, #3 and #4 were in the canyon and were constructed with wood trestles and the final loop went through one of tunnels by the San Francisco River. The railroad was completed in 1901, and was nicknamed "the cork screw railroad of America". The railroad connected Morenci with the Arizona and New Mexico railroad at Guthrie,18 miles away. Because of the heavy grades and numerous curves the trains contained only three cars and a caboose. Two hours were required for a single trip. In 1914, three loops were replaced by switchbacks. The Morenci Southern Railroad was in operation until 1922.
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 117
Loop #3 in the Southern Morenci Railroad
Loop #3 in the wooden trestle construction.
photo id: 118
Loop #3 in the wooden trestle construction.
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 118
Loop #4 in the Morenci Southern Railroad
Loop #4 in the trestle system for the Morenci Southern Railroad
photo id: 119
Loop #4 in the trestle system for the Morenci Southern Railroad
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 119
The Town of Morenci
The town of Morenci circa 1908
photo id: 120
The town of Morenci circa 1908
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 120
Morenci Arizona
The town of Morenci circa 1938
photo id: 121
The town of Morenci circa 1938
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 121
More of the town
Morenci Hotel, Morenci Southern RR yard and the Phelps-Dodge Store, 1934
photo id: 123
Morenci Hotel, Morenci Southern RR yard and the Phelps-Dodge Store, 1934
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 123
Another View
Morenci Elementary School, Morenci Club, Morenci Southern RR yard, circa 1910
photo id: 124
Morenci Elementary School, Morenci Club, Morenci Southern RR yard, circa 1910
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 124
Arizona Rangers
The Arizona Rangers were ordered to Morenci in 1903 to resolve a mining strike. They were under the command of Sergeant Jack Foster at the time.
photo id: 125
The Arizona Rangers were ordered to Morenci in 1903 to resolve a mining strike. They were under the command of Sergeant Jack Foster at the time.
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 125
Morenci Park
A gathering in Morenci Park in the 1930s.
photo id: 126
A gathering in Morenci Park in the 1930s.
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 126
The Smelter and the Mill
Machine Shop, Smelter & #6 Mill, Morenci, 1913
photo id: 127
Machine Shop, Smelter & #6 Mill, Morenci, 1913
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 127
Arizona Copper Company Hospital
Arizona Copper Company Hospital was located at the north end of Burro Alley. This company hospital closed in the late 1930s.
photo id: 129
Arizona Copper Company Hospital was located at the north end of Burro Alley. This company hospital closed in the late 1930s.
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 129
The Phelps Dodge Hospital
"New" Phelps-Dodge Hospital, circa 1938-39
photo id: 130
"New" Phelps-Dodge Hospital, circa 1938-39
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 130
Morenci Smelter
The Morenci Smelter
photo id: 131
The Morenci Smelter
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 131
Wood delivery
Wood delivery in Morenci
photo id: 132
Wood delivery in Morenci
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 132
#6 Locomotive
#6 Locomotive in front of Morenci Hotel
photo id: 133
#6 Locomotive in front of Morenci Hotel
Courtesy of Greenlee County Historical Society
Submitted by Don Lunt
photo id: 133
Morenci Smelter Smokestacks
On November 16, 1996, demolition experts sent the two 600 foot high Morenci Smelter Smokestacks to the ground. They were impressive landmarks. In 1941 when the oldest was built, it was ranked as the world's tallest industrial stack.
photo id: 169
On November 16, 1996, demolition experts sent the two 600 foot high Morenci Smelter Smokestacks to the ground. They were impressive landmarks. In 1941 when the oldest was built, it was ranked as the world's tallest industrial stack.
Photos contributed by Michael Acosta
photo id: 169
Morenci 4-H Ride
Morenci 4H ride to San Francisco River in late 1960s; L-R: Peggy Rice, unknown, Gail McBride, Susan Moore, Bonnie Ray, David Sanchez, unknown, Clyde McBride (leader), Fran ?, ? McBride, Mike Acosta, Terry Salyer, Richard Reed, Larry Williams, unknown, Bruce Patton
photo id: 171
Morenci 4H ride to San Francisco River in late 1960s; L-R: Peggy Rice, unknown, Gail McBride, Susan Moore, Bonnie Ray, David Sanchez, unknown, Clyde McBride (leader), Fran ?, ? McBride, Mike Acosta, Terry Salyer, Richard Reed, Larry Williams, unknown, Bruce Patton
Photo contributed by Michael Acosta
photo id: 171
Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia - Artist from Morenci
The son of Italian immigrants, Ettore DeGrazia was born in 1909 in the eastern Arizona mining camp of Morenci. As his father worked in the copper mine, young DeGrazia—nicknamed Ted by a schoolteacher—roamed the mountainous region collecting colorful minerals and copper ore. DeGrazia moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona, where he supported himself planting trees by day and leading a big band at night. He eventually earned three degrees, including a Master of Arts with his thesis that explored the relationship of color and sound.
After his early paintings were first published in Arizona Highways magazine, DeGrazia traveled to Mexico City to work with mural masters Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, who sponsored a solo exhibition of DeGrazia’s artwork at the prestigious Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1942.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 204
The son of Italian immigrants, Ettore DeGrazia was born in 1909 in the eastern Arizona mining camp of Morenci. As his father worked in the copper mine, young DeGrazia—nicknamed Ted by a schoolteacher—roamed the mountainous region collecting colorful minerals and copper ore. DeGrazia moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona, where he supported himself planting trees by day and leading a big band at night. He eventually earned three degrees, including a Master of Arts with his thesis that explored the relationship of color and sound.
After his early paintings were first published in Arizona Highways magazine, DeGrazia traveled to Mexico City to work with mural masters Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, who sponsored a solo exhibition of DeGrazia’s artwork at the prestigious Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1942.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 204
DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun
DeGrazia opened his first adobe studio in 1944 on the outskirts of Tucson at Prince Road and Campbell Avenue. The city quickly engulfed him, so he and his wife, Marion, bought the then-remote foothills site to build the Gallery in the Sun. His artwork gained enduring international acclaim when his painting Los Niños was chosen as a UNICEF greeting card that sold millions worldwide in 1960. As the value of his original artwork soared, his fame and finances flourished.
To protest inheritance taxes on works of art, DeGrazia hauled about 100 of his paintings on horseback to the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix and set them ablaze in 1976. This infamous event was reported in such publications as The Wall Street Journal and People magazine, becoming part of DeGrazia’s legend before his death in 1982.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 205
DeGrazia opened his first adobe studio in 1944 on the outskirts of Tucson at Prince Road and Campbell Avenue. The city quickly engulfed him, so he and his wife, Marion, bought the then-remote foothills site to build the Gallery in the Sun. His artwork gained enduring international acclaim when his painting Los Niños was chosen as a UNICEF greeting card that sold millions worldwide in 1960. As the value of his original artwork soared, his fame and finances flourished.
To protest inheritance taxes on works of art, DeGrazia hauled about 100 of his paintings on horseback to the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix and set them ablaze in 1976. This infamous event was reported in such publications as The Wall Street Journal and People magazine, becoming part of DeGrazia’s legend before his death in 1982.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 205
DeGrazia working in ceramics
Ted Degrazia creating a ceramic saguaro bowl
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 206
Ted Degrazia creating a ceramic saguaro bowl
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 206
DeGrazia Painting
One of DeGrazia's famous works..."Free As the Wind"
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 207
One of DeGrazia's famous works..."Free As the Wind"
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 207
DeGrazia Painting
"Love Me" painting.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 208
"Love Me" painting.
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 208
DeGrazia Painting
Work titled "Magic of Pre Dawn"
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 209
Work titled "Magic of Pre Dawn"
Courtesy of the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
photo id: 209