Historical Marker

Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890, Mine Mill and Smelter


After eight failed negotiating sessions and the expiration of their labor contract, Mexican-American workers at the nearby Empire Zinc mine struck for wage and benefit equality. When an injunction prohibited union members from picketing, the women—wives, mothers, sisters and daughters—took the union workers’ places on the line. The “striking” women persevered despite life threatening situations, violence, incarceration and tension at home. Their determination made national news and resulted in the popular documentary film, Salt of the Earth. These courageous women not only survived in solidarity until the strike ended, but they commanded recognition as well as respect

The Historic Women Marker Initiative of 2007 captured the public’s imagination. It has received international attention for its ambitious goal of telling women’s history in New Mexico on some of the state’s 650 Official Scenic Historic Markers. Before 2007, perhaps three markers mentioned women at all.

The lives of the only known female Buffalo solider, one of the world’s most famous artists, and unsung heroes like Sally Rooke who gave her life at her switchboard warning Folsom’s citizens of a wall of water approaching their town are honored on 75 women’s history markers.

The first phase of the Initiative concluded in 2010. Ten more markers were installed in 2015 and an additional 25 are expected to bring their numbers to an even 100 in the coming years. The program is a partnership of the New Mexico Women’s Forum, HPD, CPRC, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and the public. The 2006 legislature made the initial 65 historic markers possible.

Like all state historic markers, the women’s history markers are designed in the Park Service Rustic style adopted when the program began in 1935. What’s different is their perspective of New Mexico history.

During World War II, New Mexico was the site of several top-secret military installations, including the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the atomic bomb was developed. The laboratory is still one of the largest employers in the state and conducts research in fields such as nuclear energy and national security.
New Mexico random facts
Grant County, New Mexico has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, such as the Mimbres and the Warm Springs Apache, who left behind an archaeological legacy of intricate pottery and rock art. However, European exploration began in the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, who were searching for gold and silver in the area.

In the 1800s, Grant County played a significant role in the wild west era. Miners flocked to the region in search of silver, gold, and copper deposits, leading to the establishment of numerous mining towns. The discovery of large copper reserves in the early 1870s brought prosperity and growth to the area. Santa Rita, once a small mining camp, became home to the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, employing thousands of workers and transforming the county's economic landscape.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw Grant County transitioning from a mining-based economy to a more diversified one. Railroads expanded into the region, linking Grant County's mining towns and facilitating the transportation of goods and people. The county's agricultural industry also began to flourish with the cultivation of apples, peaches, and wine grapes. Additionally, tourism became an important economic driver, attracting visitors to the area's natural beauty, including the Gila National Forest and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Despite the decline of mining in later years, Grant County has maintained its agricultural and tourism industries, while also exploring alternative economic opportunities such as renewable energy projects. Today, the county's rich history is preserved and celebrated through various museums and cultural events, showcasing the enduring legacy of the Native American inhabitants, the mining boom, and the resilience of the communities that call Grant County home.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Grant County, New Mexico.

  • 1803: The Louisiana Purchase gives the United States control over the area that would later become Grant County.
  • 1820s: Mexican settlers begin to establish ranches and mines in the region.
  • 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War, and Grant County becomes part of the United States.
  • 1860s: Silver mining booms in the region, leading to the establishment of several mining towns including Pinos Altos and Georgetown.
  • 1868: Grant County is officially established by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature.
  • 1870s: The arrival of the railroad boosts mining activity and population growth in the county.
  • 1893: The Panic of 1893 causes a decline in silver prices and leads to a decline in mining activity in Grant County.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression further impacts mining in the county, but other industries like ranching and tourism help sustain the economy.
  • 1960s: The creation of the Gila National Forest provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and conservation in Grant County.
  • 1990s: Grant County experiences an economic shift with the closure of the last remaining copper mines.
  • Present: Grant County continues to rely on a diverse economy, including tourism, agriculture, and small businesses.