Tyrone (ghost town), New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tyrone
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Tyrone, New Mexico (May 1940).
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Grant |
| Established | 1915 |
| Founded by | Phelps Dodge Corporation |
Tyrone is a fascinating ghost town located in Grant County, New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, often because the main reason for the town's existence, like a mine, closed down.
Contents
The Story of Tyrone, New Mexico
Tyrone was not just any town; it was a special community built by a big company. It was designed to be a beautiful place for people working in the nearby mines.
Building a Dream Town
The Phelps Dodge Corporation, a large mining company, decided to build Tyrone. They wanted it to be a very fancy place. The town was designed by a famous architect named Bertram Goodhue. He made the buildings look like they belonged in the Mediterranean or Europe. Building this amazing town in 1915 cost more than a million dollars!
Why Did Tyrone Become a Ghost Town?
Tyrone was built because of copper mining. But in 1921, the price of copper dropped a lot. This meant the mines had to close down. When the mines closed, most people left Tyrone because there was no work. The town became empty and deserted.
What Happened to the Original Town?
Years later, the Phelps Dodge Corporation decided to start mining copper again in the area. This time, they used a method called "open-pit mining." This type of mining needs a lot of space. Because of this, the original townsite of Tyrone had to be destroyed. The new mining operations began in 1969.
Images for kids
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Field camp of the 68th Infantry Brigade, 34th Division in Tyrone, NM (May 1918).
