Kids in the Colony

Here’s another photo of kids in the colony but I’ll need a little help identifying everyone. From left to right: Patsy Roche, Mary Lou Roche, Catina Wilson, ? , ?, Coky Zangwill held by Catherine Roche.

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Avalos and of all things…golf.

From El Heraldo de Chihuahua an article about the history of golf in the Chihuahua area including “el campo de Avalos”. From the article, “Por su parte, los americanos ayudaron a hacer los greenes con grasa de la fundición, la cual resultó un excelente sustituto de pasto, pues tenía la enorme ventaja de “amarrar” la [...]

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Another View of the Avalos Smelter School

I believe this was a two-room schoolhouse.

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Certificate of Identity and Registration, 1942

Below is a Certificate of Identity and Registration dated 1942 for my grandmother, Catherine Morris Wilson, and her daughters, Catherine and Florence. This was used while they lived at the Avalos smelter colony. One of the things I love about this image is my grandmother’s signature. When I was a child, she was [...]

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Avalos Smelter Portero

J. Elena Navarro sent this photo from the 1986 reunion. She said, “Peñita was the gateman (portero) for many years – always watching out for us.” From right to left: J. Elena Navarro, Peñita, Charles Hardy and Catherine Austin Thomas.

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Something a little off subject…

As I’ve been researching Avalos, I’ve come across many references to El Paso, Texas (as you can imagine). I thought you might enjoy a photo of a beautiful painting by artist Leon Trousset, entitled “A View of El Paso”, 1885. What a kinder, gentler view of the city where I grew up. His [...]

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“Growing up in Avalos was like paradise on Earth.”

Today, I received a wonderful call from Catherine Austin Thomas, my second cousin on my mother’s side. Catherine lived in Avalos from 1931-1948. Her mother, Nellie Wilson Austin, was my grandfather Renie’s eldest sister. My grandfather’s family included his parents William and Catherine Decker Wilson, their children, Nellie Wilson Austin, twins Renie Wilson and [...]

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Fundición de Ávalos pilar de la economía por 84 años

From the newspaper El Heraldo de Chihuahua, an article about the Avalos smelter.
In Spanish: Fundición de Ávalos pilar de la economía por 84 años
In English: Smelter Ávalos pillar of the economy for 84 years

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Young Men and Women at the Avalos Smelter

My Aunt Catina sent me this photo but I’m not sure of the details. I believe my great-grandmother Felicitas Martinez Morris is in this picture.

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Avalos Smelter School

Do you have stories you’d like to share about the smelter school at Avalos?
J. Elena Navarro sent this photo from the 1986 reunion taken in front of the smelter school. From left to right: Charles “Chuck” Hardy, Katherine Bremer Alvarado, Unknown, Antonieta Bremer, J. Elena Navarro, Carmen and Carlos Bremer.

And this photo in front [...]

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