"The Magma Copper Smelter: A Superior
Beginning"
Exhibit Premier March 18,
2000
At the March 2000 annual Mountain Festival, the Superior Historical
Society will feature an exciting, new exhibit at the Bob Jones Museum. "The Magma
Mine Smelter: A Superior Beginning" will be on display portraying images and stories
of Superior, Arizona’s early mining history.
Since 1882, when the community was founded, several mining operations
were established. Mining, however, ceased in 1996; and, within the next few years, many
buildings will be dismantled and the original topography and habitat restored. Little will
remain of the solitary industry upon which Superior was built and thrived for so many
years.
Broken Hill Proprietary (formerly Magma Copper Company) recently
donated a series of panoramic negatives of the historic construction of the Magma Mine
Smelter in 1923-1924. The smelter ceased operations in 1971. These exclusive panoramic
photographs are the central theme for the upcoming display.
Narratives in the exhibit will be interwoven with photographs and will
tell stories of significant moments with the early construction and development of the
Magma Mine Smelter and, subsequently, the Town. These fantastic, large panoramic
photographs will recreate vivid characteristics of mining and its effect on the Mexican
and Mexican American community: mining conditions; emergence of the railroad; strong
family ties; kinship and bonding; courage and endurance; and an over-riding sense of
optimism.
VISIT THE BOB JONES MUSEUM AND SEE
OUR HISTORY COME TO LIFE IN THE NEW CENTURY!
The Superior Historical Society, Inc.
proudly presents
BHP Panoramic Photo Exhibit 2000
Magma Copper Smelter:
A Superior Beginning
at the
Bob Jones Museum
300 Main Street, Superior Arizona
Museum
Hours
Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am
– 3:00 pm
This
program was made possible in part by a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council.
