Christmas Party is SOLD OUT! |
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Thank you to everyone who signed up for our Christmas Party! We are now SOLD OUT! For those of you who have not signed up yet, we hope to see you at next year's party. Please check out our silent auction below. You do not have to be present at the party to participate in the silent auction.
Highlights of the Evening:
• Enjoy an exquisite plated prime rib dinner, generously provided by our friends at
Texas Roadhouse.
• Participate in a silent auction and raffle.
• Elfin Eddy will enchant your evening.
• A special visit from Santa Claus himself.
• The music of local favorites, 10th and Main, will keep you dancing throughout
the night.
In the true spirit of giving, we encourage you to participate in our toy drive. Please bring new, unwrapped toys, books, and games for donation to local children. Donations can be dropped off at the December 13th Christmas Party or at the museum, Tuesday through Saturday, between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, until December 20, 2023.
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Our Silent Auction is Live! |
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Our annual silent auction is now live with many amazing items donated by local businesses and museum members! The silent auction ends December 13th at 7:30 pm. You do not have to be present at the Christmas Party to win items. All items must be picked up from the Christmas Party or at the museum during regular business hours (Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm).
These items make great gifts, and 100% of the proceeds go to the museum.
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Claim Jumping in Christmas, Arizona? |
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This month, in addition to looking at the five "C's" of the Arizona economy, we are also celebrating Christmas and National Miners Day (December 6th). We are going to do this by taking a look at the copper mining town of Christmas, AZ.
Mining claims were initially staked in the area around 1880, with Phelps Dodge obtaining the claims in 1882 and setting up a mining operation. Just as the mine was getting started in 1884, a government survey determined it was on indigenous land. The operation was forced to stop, but an employee was kept on hand to prevent claim jumping, should the land become public domain again.
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A conveyor in Christmas, AZ in 1916, used to move copper ore from the mine to the railroad head. |
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On December 22, 1902, that is exactly what happened, with an executive order by President Teddy Roosevelt returning the land to the public domain. Members of the Saddle Mountain Mining Company had been waiting for this moment. Company managers in Washington sent a telegram to their people in Arizona, who set out for the mining site. They arrived on Christmas Eve and discovered the Phelps Dodge employee had taken the evening off to celebrate. They immediately set about establishing claims, giving the town its name of "Christmas". Phelps Dodge filed a lawsuit to reestablish their claims, but ended up having to sell as part of a settlement.
The mine would go on to produce significant quantities of copper, gold and silver, until it shut down in 1982. It would also pass through several owners due to the boom and bust cycle in copper prices. Ironically, in 1999, Phelps Dodge merged with Cyprus Amax Minerals, who owned the property at the time, thus returning the land to Phelps Dodge.
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Join us for this members-only Saints & Sinners Walking Tour on December 15th and March 29th. See the highs and lows of our town's history as Chris Reid takes you on a tour of Florence's significant sites! Each tour is limited to 12 individuals. RSVP now before we sell out!
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Gift Shop Items of the Month |
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Looking for some great Christmas ideas? Check out our gift shop for gifts, stocking stuffers, and ornaments. We have a wide range of items for the young and the young at heart. Many of our gift shop items are made by local artisans!
We welcome you to our Gift Shop Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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December 25, 1929: On this date, the residents of Nogales moved the U.S. border north by a couple of blocks for the day. The Great Depression was underway and hit both sides of the Nogales border. It was looking like many of the children in Nogales, Mexico, would not have much of a Christmas. So, the residents of Nogales, AZ, moved the border north by a couple of blocks, allowing approximately 3000 children to enter the U.S. and receive gifts from the town. A gesture that showed generosity is borderless! |
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Pinal County Historical Museum
715 South Main Street
Florence, AZ 85132
520-868-4382
WEB: https://www.pchmuseum.org/
EMAIL: info@pchmuseum.org
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