Thanks for the tribute. I grew up there. And you know what? It was sad. It’s like our identity was taken away. And now there truly is…nothing

I too remember the smoke stacks. I have rarely been back to San Manuel, only 3 times I think, but it was very sad watching the video of the demolition. I too had a few tears and a lump in my throat while watching the video.

My sisters and I are planning a trip back with our Mother. It will be sad not seeing the stacks, but our memories of our San Manuel will always be with us.

I still can’t believe that the mine is gone. I graduated from San Manuel High School and worked at the mine for one summer. My father worked there for almost 40 years. I really wish Magma didn’t sell the mine to BHP.. If they didn’t I’m sure the mine would still be open and all my friends and school mates would still be there.

Here it is…ohhh…about 6 months after that happened and I still get depressed thinking about the entire day.

THey say you can’t go home again. I guess they are right.

There are times such as now in which aspiring to invision the future rather than the past becomes obvious. I suppose we all do it, for what was our past, to some extent, makes us who we are today. I often look back to the days of grade school in Oracle, then on to High School in San Manuel all those many years ago. Although my families economic status relied only in part to Magma, the majority of close friends and their parents relied solely on the future of the mine.
My father, who regrets to this day that he moved us away from Oracle, (for he knew that we loved it there), occasionally has to be reminded that my fate would also likely have hung in the balance of mine ownership, copper prices etc. My only regrets are missing the many great friends and memories that we shared in the quaint tri-communities.
Move forward, I suppose we must. Thank you Closet Entrepreneur (whoever you are) for the videos and information, without which I may never have known, and my best wishes for those whose lives will forever be altered by the shutdown and the subsequent dominoe effect that I can only imagine will transpire in the region.

I worked at San Manuel as a laborer during 1957-58. Great job for a college student: hard, dangereous, exciting. Jack Geary

I MOVED TO SAN MANUEL IN 1954, RODE SCHOOL BUS TO FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL FOR 2 YEARS, WE WERE MENTIONED IN TIME MAGAZINE AS HAVING THE LONGEST SCHOOL BUS RIDE IN THE UNITED STATES, AT THAT TIME. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE FIRST SMOKE STACK BEING BUILT, AT THE TIME BOTH THE MINE AND MILL WERE BEING CONSTRUCTED. I DID WORK BOTH IN THE MINE AND MILL AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1957, (50TH THIS YEAR)AFTER FLORENCE WE ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BARRACKS (ASK SOME OLDER STUDENTS WHERE THAT WAS!!) MOVED INTO NEW HIGH SCHOOL, PLAYED FOOTBALL, TRACK. MOVED TO TUCSON IN 1961. LAST TIME THERE WAS IN 1987. IT IS VERY SAD THAT US SLIGHTLY OLDER STUDENTS SAW THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF AN ERA. NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAPPEN. WHEN I WAS INFORMED OF THE “DEATH” OF THE STACKS IT DID BRING SWIFT MEMORIES OF OUR GREAT TOWN! HAVE LIVED IN CALIFORNIA FROM 1966 BUT STILL TREASURE MEMORIES OF HOW ALL US KIDS HAD TO GET ALONG IN THIS TOWN SOOO FAR AWAY FROM TUCSON!!! GO MINERS!!

CAME TO SAN MANUEL IN 1958 AND WAS A GRAD OF SAN MANUEL IN 1962 MARRIED DARYL LEGRAND ANY ONE REMEMBER MARY LEE CAMPBELL WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU I THINK FLOYD DAVID AND MARY LEGRAND STILL LIVE THERE I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SMOKE STACKS CAN;T BELIVE THEY ARE GONE AND THE MINE IS CLOSED ..ONLY BE BACK ONCE MAYBE I CAN COME BACK SOMEDAY AGAIN JUST TO RENEW GOOD OLD MEMORIES WAS A GOOD PLACE TO GROW UPP AND GO TO SCHOOL . MARY LEE

I remember sitting in the living room of my home in San Manuel and hearing a loud horn that meant is was the end of the work day and I had exactly 5 minutes to clean up what ever mess I was making before my dad came home with the Mel’s Meal ticket that he had promised to give me if I was a good girl that day. I remember the Annual Magma Fouth of July picnics in the park, cruising up town every friday after the football games, and walking to Mel’s with my cousins for their famous jumbo cheese burgers and french cokes. It’s been about 8 years since the last time I stepped foot in my house in San Manuel and I can still remember exactly what it was like to grow up in my little home town, from riding my bike to the pool every every summer, to the day I tried digging for China in the back yard and ended up hitting the water pipes instead. The more I think about it the more I realize just how much fun it really was growing up there. From the front yard of my house, we actually had one of the best views of the smelter, I remember the realter calling it a “desirable scenic view” when we bought the property, I believe the first word that came into my head when I looked outside was “eye sore”. And now, I don’t think the view will be quite as nice without it. One day i’ll go back home and see all the changes my little town has had to go through, good or bad, but till then thanks for helping me realize how much fun it really was to grow up in that little town in the middle of no where.

I grew up in San Manuel and the thing I remember most about the smoke stacks was recess at both Ave B and 1st Ave elementary’s. I thought I was going to choke to death and someday I would die a horrible death from all the toxins I inhaled. I wonder if there is a long term cancer study in place for San Manuel residents. Breath easy all you surviving San Manuelites.

I am not from San Miguel but while reading your story, I felt a tug in my heart and remembered how we felt when Clark Air Base Philippines closed. It’s the main source of livelihood in our city and my parents and almost everybody I know worked there. When it finally closed its doors, the city was like a ghost town, very different from how it used to be.

I heard the stacks had come down but seeing that on video really choked me up i grew up there 1st grade thru freshman in high school we left in 1978 or 79 . we lived on 5th ave. then on ave j those were truly times i cherish .i took my kids back to see my home town they couldnt believe how small it was we live in san diego now but if i could i would raise my kids in a town just like that. if dino weatherby or donald montes or any of the other dorks i hung out with sees this drop a note and hello.

Sojourner I would be humbled under the tutelage of your writing. Bravo.

And yes the stacks will be missed

we moved to san manuel in 1956 I went to school 1-12grade .I remember how simple our life was ,all our medical care ,the really cheap rent lol the strikes , I married there,had my first child there.
my mom still lives on fifth . I have been living in Tx for the last 21 years but still think of san manuel as home and return often. It is so sad how the closing of mine changed the life of so many loyal employees,we may be scattered all over the country now but we will always have our history .

I was Lucky enough to attend San Manuel High School my Senior year-1973-In that one year I made friendships that have continued on till this very day–Because of an incident with my StepDad- I left home in January of 1973 and lived with Donna Chambers family over by the Avenue A school–they were wonderful to me and I apprediate their kindness to this day–but because I felt that I was coming between Donna and her parents- ( since I was a couple of years older than her they would let me do things that they were not ready for her to do)–anyway I had one more month of school until Graduation-so I moved in with another friend–Rose Marie Delzer’s parents welcomed me into their home to finish out the year–and Rose and I are still in contact till this day–that leads me to another family who totally adopted me as their Own-even though I never lived in their home-(unless daily visits after schooll counts) that would be Ernest and Mary Ivy-and of course their “Boys”-I was lucky enough to make the Very First squad of “Mat Maids” for wrestling at SMHS-and since all of thir “Boys” were wrestlers I met the whole family at the meets– Now,since I didn’t have my parents around and I needed rides to the meets Mom Ivy decided I could ride with them she was very careful because girls had gotten her in trouble hitching rides to the meets without getting permission from their parents–but she knew that the Chambers gave me permission to Always ride with them. And so that began a Love and feeling of Gratitude that will never end-
-Ernie Jr., Henry and I were Graduating together and on the Graduation cake at the party it said “Congratulation to Our Kids”–Ernie –Henry– and Gina”
To a 17 year old girl away from Both of her parents -that meant the world to me and Still does–But thats how the people in San Manuel were–Loving and Giving-Even though some may think that they didn’t have much back then it was the Love and Friendships in the mining community that helped make San Manuel such a special place to live.
As time goes by some of our loved ones got into things that lead to rough times in their life and then to death. As you- who live there now may know- we lost Henry Ivy in July of 03 and then our “Mom” in 04. I am still in contact with Dad Ivy and Charley-Richard and Ernie–I truly can’t express how safe they all made a young girl feel at a new school –with no blood family around. Every day-each one of the Boys would make sure that I had money for lunch (which we usually ate at the Liquor Store-Uptown) and a ride wherever it may be that I needed to go-They truly made me feel like a “Little Sister”-Mom Ivy always said I was the Daughter she always wanted but never had -for Mom’s funeral –as I drove in from Tucson in my rental car–I knew that I was getting close when I could see the Smoke Stacks-I couldn’t help but feel some excitement even though I was there for such a horrible occasion-something was missing? Ah, yes, it was the Smelter Smoke–It was very sad for me to see that my “Special Place” was becoming almost like a Ghost town–so many homes were either empty or for sale-I hope that it does become a Retirement community -what a waste of beautiful desert land– it was Wonderful feeling so safe in San Manuel in “73″. Nothing is better than the smell of the desert after a rain-talk about memories!!
I know that I will return there some day–but it won’t be the same without the Smoke Stacks–but I so appreciate the fact that I happened upon this site so that I could watch the video of the “End of an Era”. But Never Forgotten!!!
I don’t know if anyone from the class of “73 would remember me– but if you would like to email me I would be glad to hear from you—35 years May 31st–
-The day after Graduation at 7;00 A.M.- I went with my Real- Dad and my Stepmother back to Ohio where I was origially from-and have lived there ever since–I have been married for 34 years inOctober and have 5 children and 1 grandaughter-
San Manuel will always hold a very special place in my heart as will all the people who made it my “Safe Haven”.
Thanks for listenting to me ramble– but I just had to share my personal thoughts on this Video-and my experience as a “Miner”
-Sincerely Gina Ambrister/Vondrell
gvondrell@yahoo.com

Sara,
The Johnstones you are looking for are both passed away, Jimmy many years ago in Vegas & Christie just recently in Calif. Their parents and sister Kathy live in Marana, AZ.

I too was raised in good ole SM. I was born in Superior but my folks moved to SanManuel when I was 6mo. old. That was 1956, a pretty good year I think. San Manuel in the 60’s & 70’s was a fantastic place to be! It was back when neighbors could and would take care of business if you stepped too far out of line. It was acceptable. People took care of each other back then. Looking back, I, for one miss the the days when adults were in charge and took the responsibility.
Enough of that ,
back to San Manuel - for all of us “kids”, students, classmates, friends & lovers during the time when San Manuel was at it’s peak or hayday, let me say it was a BLAST to be a part of that history. I’m proud to say I’m from San Manuel and it will always be HOME.
I didn’t make it to the stacks final moments mostly because of emotions I knew everyone would see, so I quitetly tapped at my wrist watch at the appointed time and pondered the the flood of memories of years past.
I would like to say to all of you San Manuel die hards HERES TO YOU and my heart is with you. By the way when you guys see Grandad Ivy around town remember he’s been there since 1956, a life time in its self. God Bless
One last thing to say - I miss you Mom! - I miss you Hank!

What a wonderful treat to receive this great site! Joellen Thomas
forwarded this to us. To LARRY BARSTOW , so very glad to remember all the good times John and I had with the Barstow family as neighbors. Such a wonderful family, Mrs. Barstow helped me so much as I learned how to be a Mom, and how to open the door when Debbie locked me out! John sold THE DICUS
just 8 months before the shut-down. People still ask him to “Please buy it back”. It’s so neat to hear people still say,”Met me at the “Dicus”. John is continuing his love of kids and school and helps with different projects. I really think he should be a “Town Greeter.” Wal-Mart has nothing on San Manuel!!!
We have lived in the same house for 52 years and are very sure that we will always be at home in SAN MANUEL. The day THE STASTACKS came down will always be remembered. Everything good or bad that has happened to our family flashed before me, and I felt that truly our lives had changed forever, no longer could I hope that events might change. This is for REAL.
How fortunate we are to have such wonderful memories, such caring friends, and experiences that only come from living in San Manuel. The town has had its ups and downs, but like John always says, “We just push a little harder” and keep going. San Manuel has always been and continues to be “A good Place toLive”his motto for the many years he had “The Dicus.”
We enjoy hearing from anyone who’d like to email us.
triplej@theriver.
Thank all of you for posting. Hope to hear from all of you!
Smiles, hugs and yes, a few tears too.
John and Jamie Dicus
918 N. Webb
San Manuel, AZ 85631

I went back to see my dear grandmother Mac Voy Walker, (my grandfather Owen Walker has passed away) on 6th Ave this past holiday season. The heartbreak of not seeing the smokestacks - I have no words for it. This site is so wonderful. I didn’t know so many people knew and loved San Manuel like I do. And to see what the desert behind her house looks like now. I cried. I guess that lovely, beautiful desert I grew up playing in is becoming a dump/dirt bike track now. It hurts so much to go back. The memories will always be there though. At least all of us here have that…

I grew up in san manual and my dad was an engineer or the railroad for many years. I did quite alot in that little town! Still live in Oracle. I don’t know if I will ever call anywhere else home. And to Charley Ivy Thanks for being there for me when I was growing up. Tell pops I said Hi. I don’t get to san manual much even though I live only a few minutes away. And I agree that it is very hard seeing the skyline without the sillouette of the stacks. I spent 31 years looking at that skyline! Thanks for putting up this site!
Penny Ramsay (Tippetts)

It’s hard to believe were coming up on 9 yrs that the mine has been shut down.I too like many, like many others have moved away. Since I am currently only two hours away I do get to visit often. It is just not the same going down the Oracle hill and not seeing the stacks anymore. Change is always hard and it can seem as if San Manuel has lost its lustre but I think it is only a matter of time before people once again appreciate the beauty of that little valley. The mine may have been the reason for starting the town, but it is still a pretty little place. Tombstone is the town too tough to die, could San Manuel be the town too treasured to die. It seems we all have great memories about growing up there and for many of us no matter how far we may roam, San Manuel will always be home.

I see that Joellen is rounding up recruits for the ‘78 class reunion.
Is anyone trying to organize a reunion for the class of ‘73?
35 years for us. Anyone out there know if there is a reunion planned?
Laura Nameth

I just found out about this site, and had to check it out. I left SM in 1980, and have lived in Elko, NV every since. Another small mining town, just alot colder. There are MANY people living here in Elko that came from SM. I have occasion to visit SM once in a while, as my father-in-law still lives there, but I haven’t been back since the stacks came down. Speaking of tears, the video was enough to make them start flowing. I too thoroughly enjoyed growing up in SM, it was a blast! Now my children have grown up in another mining town, but they know very well some great stories about SM. I wouldn’t trade having grown up there for anything. Thanks to those that keep it alive so the rest of us have a hometown to return to occasionally. I graduated in 1979, and have never been notified of any of my class’s reunions. 2009 will be our 30 year, if anyone knows anything about the reunion, please clue me in.
Thanks,
Barbara Matier-Nameth

Valkyrie,

Thanks for not being offended by my comment about ending up in Kansas. I’m glad you took it the way it was intended, just a bit of humor.I’ve never been to Kansas and have nothing against it; but you’re right–it isn’t San Manuel!

Laura Nameth

Good old San Manuel. I remember waiting for my dad to come home after the horn blew, walking through the desert with his lunchbox to S 5th St. We had a clear view of the crusher, mill and stacks from there, quite a site to behold. Called my dad 1/17/07 to tell him I would pick him up to go see the end of an era, he was sick with the flu and couldn’t make it, couldn’t stand to go by myself so I watched it on the news.

AHH, but the memories are still there, making ourselves dizzy cruising the circle, trying to find someone to buy you a 12-pack so you could go to the party between the hills or up at the circles, playing at the river on Easter. Remember when there was two grocery stores (verns AND gordons).

I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for all the good and bad times that happened in San Manuel. Getting in trouble at school and your mom knowing about it by the time you got home, OH in high school. Home is home and thats where it will always be.

The hardest part for me was when BHP shut everything down. Getting phone calls from friends that I have known for years, looking for work and having to ask them what kind of money they were looking for and what they were willing to do and then having to turn them down because I couldn’t offer them what they were looking for.

I still go there every once in awhile, have a double cheese burger at Mels and think about growing up. It is very ironic to look at copper prices now and think about how that place would be if BHP had just held out for a few more months.

I am with Charlie I, Jamie D and the rest, Heres to all you San Manuelites! This ones for you!!!

I grew up in San Manuel and I was so hart broken when the took down the stacks. I no longer live in that little sleepy town like so many others my family moved when my dad, who had worked at the mines sense he finished high school, lost his job. We tryed to stay but found no posibel way in wich we could do that. To this day i still miss that little town and will alwas remember my childhood there. There is nothing like the destert in the summer or going down to the pool with your friends.

oh, didn’t mean to leave you out Sergio! And Tony Almindinger! I am sure there are many who escape my mind right now, but I have thought of you all through the years and miss all of you! Oh and I must add Herman Blackburn!
Cindy Hyde

I wrote the way-too-long message above. I’ll be briefer this time.
1.Now I know that Redington-as-a-town is no longer - it’s housing and headquarters for the large ranch that owns it and much more. Can I write or call them, just to say thanks?

2. The flat tire I got while traversing the pass has morphed into a need for five new tires, a new ABS system and, not surprisingly, a car wash. Over $600. But the scenery I saw, the marvelous people I met, the frazzled nerves I overcame — priceless.

I still look forward to seeing San Manuel — in daylight. Thanks again.

Vic, your name sure sounds familiar, and I had thought that on one of your earlier posts but didn’t ask. I couldn’t help but wonder if you may have been one of my sisters friends (Kellie Cathey).
At any rate, sorry for your loss.

Will

Wow! This has brought back so many memories! I was born in San Manuel & lived there until 5th grade, I moved away after my parents divorce but went back every summer to stay with my dad, my sister & her family still live in San Manuel & on the day the stacks were dropped I stayed home from work & cried. My 13 & 8 year olds didn’t understand, but they sat & cried with me. We went down a few months after the drop & my daughter ended up at a party that the town was giving as a new start to San Manuel but we all know San Manuel will always be thought of as a miners town….. I loved growing up there & have very many wonderful memories, I know everytime I go down to visit I really miss seeing the stacks! Thanks to everyone for their positive comments & the memories you made me remember!

Well I rode into San Manuel for the first time in 40 years one week ago today (May 31 2008). I stopped at the Salt and Pepper gas station (used to be a 76 station) for gas and just stood there looking where the stacks had been. It just didn’t seem right. It was like another place. I headed on up McNab to Webb and over to 4th where I grew up. The house looked pretty much the same save for a bay window in the front. I sat there on the bike just thinking about how it was nearly a half century ago. Such good times back then. Then I rode over to 5th and by the place I lived in the mid 60’s. It didn’t even look anything like it used to. It looked like a condo! Sad. Then over to first ave. elementary school. I pulled into the parking lot and shut the bike off and just sat there. The rooms I had gone to 2nd grade, 3rd grade and 4th grades was still there. I had to laugh as now they are called the Bulldogs!!!! We didn’t have a name back in the early 60’s. The friends that I knew who lived around the school, their houses looked the pretty much the same. I started the bike and went down past the baseball diamonds. I had completely forgotten they were there. Then down A ave and the strip. It was so sad to see all of the boarded up store windows. The Triple XXX lounge was replaced by Beas Bar which was closed. And suddenly there was Gordons! I can’t believe that they are still there.
Then I stopped at a place that used to be the drug store. It is now a mini mart called Arizona Fuel. I remember getting green rivers at the drug store and my first little girl friend (Dixie Cage) and I getting into trouble there for stealing a bag of candy and sitting on the floor eating it. We were like 4 years old I got to talking to a really pretty girl behind the counter and she and I talked about how the place had changed. She didn’t remember the old 50’s and 60’s San Manuel but with that pretty smile, she would have fit right in.
I left there and rode back to 77 highway and just sat at the stop sign for a bit. I realized that my San Manuel went with me in 1968. San Manuel was no longer the home town that I remember. I was a stranger and it wasn’t home anymore. I headed out to the junction, not looking back as now I can close that chapter and say good bye

This is a great web-site. I loved reading about all the people who loved SM and the smokestakes. We were all sitting on top of my dad’s garage (Bob & JoAnne Collins) when the stakes came down. It was very overwhelming!! My son Daniel was there and still comments about how very weird it is to come down the hill from Oracle and not see the stacks. I have very fond memories of SM and all my friends that I still keep in contact with.

I hope all of my classmates try to come to the reunion this summer. It’ll be fun to catch up with each other.

Wanted to say hi to Cindy Hyde, we had lots of fun in grade school, thanks for remembering all of us!!!

Barb Collins Kranking

will i am 48 years old, i don’t remember cathey is she my age? i went to ave b elm for a short time then moved to mammoth untill 7th grqade then moved to tucson.i have a very large family 17 of us all in and around san manuel many of my brothers worked for magma copper co. i am sure that cathey knows one of us or me? thank for asking it’s great to respond to others from my home town’s take care vic!

Just an observation, I love this website. Everyday I get to my office and the first thing I do is read email, by far, this is the most entertaining. There seems to be a common thread amongst us, “we all love Mels burgers”, and therefore I want to pay tribute to the Zazueta girls, they were and may still be, the best pattie flippers in the business. Ernestina, where ever you are, if you happent to be in the Phoenix area, please look me up, I would love to have you over for a BBQ.

I miss those Mels burgers. Greasy and good! My friend Cynthia and I use to go to Mels during lunch at school. As I am sure it was the place for all HS students.

My family is the Chavez family from Mammoth. But to me the tri-county is all the same. I love the small towns and the Arizona desert.

I moved to San Manuel from Clearwater FL in 1979 when I was in third grade my Mom got a job as a secretary for one of the big wigs at Magma, I remeber that he lived in one of those “Mansion” at the top of the hill on Webb.

My mom and I would go to Mamoth and eat at the absolute BEST Mexican resturant. I can’t remember the name but it right on the main road as you get into Mamoth, they had a juke box that had the best music on it!

But I have to say that Mel’s was unbelievable! I still compare every burger and burito to Mel’s. I remeber the dog days of summer, after scowering the destert on bicycles hunting horny toads we would raid the pool…then it was off to Mel’s for a plain cheese and bean burito.

Now thats what memories are made of!!

Hey Sergio,
Glad you haven’t forgotten me! Do you still sneak to San Manuel for a Mel’s burger??!! Send me a note thru the class reunion email at smhs1978reunion@yahoo.com then we can really get caught up. (Anyone else from the class of 78 please send me a note too… reunion is in planning stages!)

Many times when we roll into San Manuel, we hit Mel’s for lunch, then head to Mammoth and La Casita for dinner. Now if that isn’t the life!

Hello All. I stumbled upon this site by accident tonight while I was showing my wife on google maps the house I spent my first 6 years of life in. A side point for all of you- google maps now has a “street view” feature which allows you to see the city at the time google drove through (not sure when that was). I found the house I lived in, 182 S. Mcnabb. For those who have not been back you will really enjoy this.
Anyway, I was born at the hospital in San Manuel in 1966 and moved to Tucson in December of 1973 and have lived here ever since. I don’t have the emotional connection that many of you have but I was mesmerized by the comments from all of you who have posted and could not stop reading until I finished all of them. The history lessons are greatly appreciated. My Grandparents, Antonio R. & Maria C. Cervantez, completed raising there 6 children in San Manuel. My Mother was Maria Louisa. My Grandpa worked for Magma until his death in the early 70’s. My mother had since moved away and my grandparents had adopted me. My Gradma and I moved to Tucson shortly after that.
I went to kindergarten and 1/2 of 1st grade at Avenue B elementary when they still had corporal punishment (swats with a paddle) and I got a few of those. I remember my first grade teacher well, Mrs. Carpenter. She was very kind and understanding and didn’t swat too hard. Some of my uncles and aunts new her well and when she was dying of cancer we went to visit her in San Manuel and she was still the kind person I had remembered.
Lets see, I remember Valley National Bank, the drug store on the corner of the same little mall, a woolworth’s type of store that smelled like mothballs, a burger place that may have been Mel’s by the high school, and of course, the smokestacks.
Coming down from Oracle you could see them clearly. A little further and you would hit the crossroad to Mammoth then there would come a big dip, the drive-in, the Ford dealership to the right and your last view of the stacks to the left before we turned right onto Mcnab (which we always did). The hospital to the left and the rest was residential until you hit the little mall I spoke about previously.
My grandma’s brother and his wife, Neto and Petra Marques, still lived there and we would go visit them from time to time while I was growing up.
My uncles and aunts all graduated from San Manuel High. I remember how excited I was to get bussed from the elementary school to the high school to eat lunch. I recall the first time clearly. I thought that they would make you eat everything they served you and I was worried because I hated vegetables. Thankfully, I did not have to eat my vegetables, although I like them now.
I have met a lot of people who grew up in SanManuel, Mammoth, and Oracle and I am always proud to say that I was born there. Since I moved to Tucson at such a young age I consider it my hometown also. But there seems to me to be more of a connection with someone I meet who is from those small towns. Now I know why. In such a small town we all went to the same places, did the same things, new the same people. That is something special in this modern age that we can be happy we experienced and sad because are children can’t.
While I was showing my wife the goolge stuff she remarked that we should take our kids back there to show them where I lived. I certainly will and, thanks to all of you, we will try one of those Mel’s cheeseburgers.

i agree la casita is the best! i grew up with pete jr all the family is great.i was with pete in march of 2008 he and his family are very kind and giving. thank’s for all that the la casita and family did for my brother frank.

Oops! Addendum: We lived there 1975-1984, including myself, Donna, David, Dustin. I was Pastor of S. M. Community Church.

I came to San Manuel when I was 3 years old. My mom absolultely HATED living in such close quarters, and felt that the town was segregated-hot shots on the top of town, tramp miners on the lower portion-so after much nagging, we moved to Oracle just before I started 1st grade.

I have nothing but amazing childhood memories of growing up in the tri-community! My dad worked for the mines from 1955, until her retired in 1975. They even honed out a job for him when he came back after a 6 month illness and could no longer work as an underground miner. Those were the times when the company, and the people affiliated were like FAMILY!

Of course, when high school came around, we Oracle kids were loaded on the bus for our grand adventure to San Manuel to meet and greet all the new kids from there and Mammoth. My freshman year, I met the young man who would become my husband of now 38 years! Who would’ve thought?? I had both my babies in that little hospital, which at the time, was a full-functioning surgical center.
When my father accidentally sliced off his thumb, there was even a fully qualified hand surgeon on call at the hospital that night! The doctor did such an amazing job, until the day my father died, you’d have never known he’d had that accident! Those were definitely the days…

I was working as the school nurse at SMHS/Jr. High when BHP decided to shut down the doors forever. We were out for the summer, but once we resumed, there were days I’d take my lunch break, and drive over to the old smelter area, sit in my car, and just curse BHP for all the damage and destruction they caused that community!!! I saw it every day in the faces of the kids I took care of, and the families who came in to my office. Not to mention how it effected my own life and my husband’s. But we’ve survivied.

My husband took a day off from work the day the stacks were blown away. We went and sat as close as we were allowed, video’d them, took pictures, cried together, remembered old times together. We’ve known for a long time that things would never be the same. But we’re all survivors. And even a huge, multi-million dollar corporation (as selfish as it is!) cannot destroy us! From here, we just make newer, better, memories, right?? God bless you all!!

Helen, I DO remember you! Good to see someone else here that I remember, who isn’t as old as the hills!

Hope you are doing well, and have made a good life-probably outside of San Manuel? I know that I see loads of kids (now adults) in the Tucson area that were at the high school when I was working there. Many of them work in town, are going to school, etc.

It’s always great to catch up to them and see where they ended up, and/or where they’re still going!

Is the same inne who taught the EMT Class for the fire Department?

Hi Sergio Montes
I remember you, did you lose your front tooth because of a BB Gun ? sorry I Lived at 121 6th ave we played together often & had many classes together.

I’m now live in tucson the past 8 years .about twice a year i ride to San Manuel for a Mel’s burger. Remenber in school burger, fries & coke cost $1.06 .what a bargan.

I was also their when the stacks came down was a very sad day for me also . My grandparents lived on McNab we watched the number 2 stack go up.was so cool .

Also remember walking from Ave B School To High School Cafeteria For lunch thur the desert befor they built the new homes along McNab Behind Mels Lunch was .25

San Manuel Will Always Be Home To Me. I was born and raised there. My Moms Dad Walter Marsh was a miner from DeadWood SD ,they moved to Sam Manuel When The Mine was Jest starting, to make a better life for them. My Dads Dad James C Wilt Came to Sam Manuel To Bartent for Del Webb when the homes were being built, then later worked at the mill and retired.

what about all the mussle car back then?that i will never for get.

Also love to BBQ and smoke Meat

Brad Wilt
wiltbrad@cox.net

For all of you San Manuel-ites who would like to keep up with what the graduates of ALL the classes are doing, you need to subscibe (sorry not free but is reasonable!) to http://www.classmates.com

There are a lot of our classmates there, and you can take a look and see if you might want to join. Some reunion iformation is sometimes posted there, as well as some of the “passings”. BUT DON’T FORGET to come back here to see what is new. This site is awesome, and I am soooooooo grateful that it is is here! THANK YOU webmaster, whoever you are. I read each and every posting and enjoyed them all!
Nancy (Cardell)-Keith- Hough Class of 1964