Kearny, Arizona: The Copper Capital of the World!
Gooooooo Bearcats!
I am very proud to have grown up in the small Central-Arizona mining
community of Kearny in the '70's and '80's. Kearny was born
directly as a
result of copper, as the original towns of Ray, Sonora, and Barcelona
were
consumed by the open mine pit in the late 1950's. Families were
moved 10
miles to the East to start the new town named after Stephen Watts
Kearny, a
famous general of the Mexican-American War.
If anyone has anything I could use in the page, or suggestions, just
let me
know. I hope this page does justice to the town, those who live
there now,
and those who have lived there in the past and who, like me, wish they
were back
there in the hot but beautiful Sonoran Desert. - Brent
View of Kearny from the air. (Ca. 1980)
Kearny from the Air. (2001)
View of the sign when entering Kearny from the West side
(from
Superior).
To see where Kearny is, go to the map
Right now check out the weather
in Kearny.
Kearny, AZ : Population: 2249 (2000 Census, 72nd Largest City in
AZ).
Date Est: 1958
Industry: Vast majority of the work force works
at the Ray Mines - Asarco.
Environment: Sonoran desert, similar to Tucson weather.
Ray Mine, Ray Arizona
This is somewhat of a artistic picture of the Ray Mine, Click to
see
better view
In the background is Teapot (Middle) and Sleeping Beauty (Right)
View of the
Mine after a Rainstorm from the Outlook.
The town of Kearny, named after Stephen
Watts Kearny , who travelled through the area around 1846 on the
way
to California along the Gila River, was created in 1958 to provide
housing
to the residents of Ray, Barcelona, and Sonora AZ ten miles down the
road.
These towns were consumed by what is now called the Ray Pit currently
owned
by ASARCO. The concentrator and
smelter
for the mine are located in Hayden AZ, about 20 miles south of the mine.
Please go the following site which gives a very nice description
of
the area Kearny
History
Also see the words of the plaque
uptown
What do we have in Kearny?
Circle K Convenience Store
General Kearny Inn
Gordon's IGA Grocery Store
Buzzy's!!!
Ray School District - Home
of the
Bearcats!
Ray Primary, Elementary,
and High School (Class AA)
Main events of the Town
April -- Pioneer Days (We celebrate the birthday of the town, including
a parade, a carnival, and a dance uptown)
July 4 -- Kearny and Hayden alternate where the towns' best
little league
teams will battle to the death. Afterwards, we have fireworks.
October -- Homecoming for Ray High School (We have a parade, a
football
game, and a Homecoming Dance)
Towns near Kearny
- Hayden(Hayden
High School) (Home of the Lobos! :) ) - 10 miles to the
southeast
- Superior(Superior High School) - 22 miles to
the
west
- Winkelman - 11 miles to the southeast
- Riverside
- Dudleyville
Kearny Links that I can Find
Old Pictures
- If anyone has old pictures from Ray, Sonora,
Hayden, Winkelman, Riverside, or Dudleyville, it would be very much
appreciated if you could let me know so I could include them in this
web page, please contact me, Brent, at brentnebeker@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
Downtown Sonora, Arizona
Teens of Sonora, Arizona
Kids of Sonora, Arizona
Catholic Church as it is being moved 11 miles
down the
road from Sonora, AZ to Kearny - Notice Teapot Mountain in
background.
Ray
High School (around 1960?)
Kearny (1960?)
view
my Kearny guestbook | sign
my Kearny guestbook
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