Ray, Arizona, Pinal County is a ghost town that was once a bustling mining community. Its history is woven with stories of copper mining and the lively communities surrounding it. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Pinal County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 33.2206° N, 110.9928° W
Elevation: Approximately 2,123 feet (647 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Established: Early 1900s
Disestablished: 1958
Comments: Ray, Arizona, developed as a prominent mining town due to the rich deposits of copper found in the area. It was named after the Ray Copper Company, which was integral to its development. The town flourished with workers and their families, creating a vibrant community centered around the mining operations.
Remains: The town of Ray no longer exists, having been dismantled in the late 1950s. The area has been largely consumed by the open-pit mining operations of the Ray Mine, which continue to be active today. Very few remnants of the original town infrastructure are visible, as mining activities have extensively altered the land.
Current Status: The original site of Ray is now part of the Ray Mine, one of the largest copper mines in the United States, operated by ASARCO. The town itself has been completely removed, and the area is inaccessible to the public.
Remarks: While Ray, Arizona, has vanished as a town, its legacy lives on through the ongoing mining operations that continue to shape the landscape. Ray’s transformation from a thriving community to a ghost town reflects the boom-and-bust cycle common in mining towns. Despite its disappearance, Ray’s historical significance as a mining hub remains a point of interest for historians and enthusiasts of Arizona’s mining past.
