I grew up in Tucson and my dad lived in San Manuel working for BHP/MAGMA. I'm planning a trip back to Tucson with my mom later this year and was looking at Google Maps at San Manuel and didn't see the mine smoke stacks - like so many of the folks in the video, I have many memories of driving up from Tucson in my dad's Datsun and seeing the smoke stacks on the side of the highway signaling that we were close to his house. Really does evoke something deep seeing them fall. Lots of memories of being in that little company town with my dad. Thanks for documenting this small place for those that want to remember it.
Grew up in Mammoth and graduated from Gardner Middle and as a SMHS Fighting Miner! Great to see Billy “Jack” and the Galiuro mountains. Been a long time since I’ve seen either. Would not trade growing up in small town USA for the world. Interesting that the vid was made by the other school to the north. BTFD!!
My whole family worked there. Grandfather, father, aunts, uncles, and my mother worked at the high school. My brother and I, as well as most of my cousins, were born at the hospital there. It was heartbreaking when it closed. Our close-knit family had to move to other states to find jobs. Such a tragedy.
Started working for Mother MAGMA 1970 fresh out of the Army started underground as a Chute Tapper then after 5 years was awarded a transfer to the electrical Department as a Electrician Helper then applied for a International Brotherhood Electrical Worker apprenticeship after completing my apprenticeship I elected to work at the plant site,Smelter, Mill,Crusher etc,etc, I enjoyed my 29 1/2 years working there except for the few years with BHP it sucked.
I worked for at Magma Copper in Superior, Arizona and when they shut down in 1996, I worked for a contractor in San Manuel until Magma/BHP shut it down in 1999. It was a shame that this happened.
I remember that town & my dad worked for them for 30 something years then went into retirement. I remember all the schools, churches,,baseball fields, 2 swimming pools ( now only 1 ), there was a tennis court near the only swimming pool that’s left in that town. San Manuel isn’t San Manuel anymore.
I was lucky I was still young when I was laid off in 1999, and was able to find other employment. But I felt so bad for the old timers who knew nothing but that mine. It was a sad time.
Worked in the smelter and underground long enough to buy expensive musical instruments. Hard, dangerous work, GOOD money. They started you at $13.50/Hr. in 1969.
It's become an all too common occurrence in our country. Buyouts, mergers, efficiency managers, stockholders, etc. Only turning a profit matters, not the workers who are the backbone of these companies. I hope San Manuel can rise from the ashes. 🙏
I grew up in Tucson and my dad lived in San Manuel working for BHP/MAGMA. I'm planning a trip back to Tucson with my mom later this year and was looking at Google Maps at San Manuel and didn't see the mine smoke stacks - like so many of the folks in the video, I have many memories of driving up from Tucson in my dad's Datsun and seeing the smoke stacks on the side of the highway signaling that we were close to his house. Really does evoke something deep seeing them fall. Lots of memories of being in that little company town with my dad. Thanks for documenting this small place for those that want to remember it.
Grew up in Mammoth and graduated from Gardner Middle and as a SMHS Fighting Miner! Great to see Billy “Jack” and the Galiuro mountains. Been a long time since I’ve seen either. Would not trade growing up in small town USA for the world. Interesting that the vid was made by the other school to the north. BTFD!!
My whole family worked there. Grandfather, father, aunts, uncles, and my mother worked at the high school. My brother and I, as well as most of my cousins, were born at the hospital there. It was heartbreaking when it closed. Our close-knit family had to move to other states to find jobs. Such a tragedy.
Started working for Mother MAGMA 1970 fresh out of the Army started underground as a Chute Tapper then after 5 years was awarded a transfer to the electrical Department as a Electrician Helper then applied for a International Brotherhood Electrical Worker apprenticeship after completing my apprenticeship I elected to work at the plant site,Smelter, Mill,Crusher etc,etc, I enjoyed my 29 1/2 years working there except for the few years with BHP it sucked.
yes finally someone speaks for my people Please do more San Miguel reviews
I worked for at Magma Copper in Superior, Arizona and when they shut down in 1996, I worked for a contractor in San Manuel until Magma/BHP shut it down in 1999. It was a shame that this happened.
I remember that town & my dad worked for them for 30 something years then went into retirement. I remember all the schools, churches,,baseball fields, 2 swimming pools ( now only 1 ), there was a tennis court near the only swimming pool that’s left in that town. San Manuel isn’t San Manuel anymore.
I was lucky I was still young when I was laid off in 1999, and was able to find other employment. But I felt so bad for the old timers who knew nothing but that mine. It was a sad time.
Worked in the smelter and underground long enough to buy expensive musical instruments. Hard, dangerous work, GOOD money. They started you at $13.50/Hr. in 1969.
It's become an all too common occurrence in our country. Buyouts, mergers, efficiency managers, stockholders, etc. Only turning a profit matters, not the workers who are the backbone of these companies. I hope San Manuel can rise from the ashes. 🙏
san manuel arizona the gases released in the town was bad for your health , big time . back in the 70s