Empire Zinc Strike in Hanover, New Mexico

Christmas spirit during the Empire Zinc Strike in Hanover, New Mexico, 1951. Did you know the 1954 movie "Salt of the Earth" was based on this strike?

Los Mineros Photograph Collection
Call # MP SPC 186.5: 39 Chicano/a Research Collection, Arizona State University Libraries

My dad use to talk about the Empire Zinc Strike. He told me that this strike was about the miners demanding better wages and living conditions. They saw the difference how the white people got paid and how the Mexican or Mexican Americans got paid. So, they went on strike and were fighting for better wages. The Empire Zinc company came to an agreement with the strikers to provide better wages and benefits, ending the strike. The company also began to proved hot water to their homes.They made a movie about this strike. "Salt of the Earth". This movie was filmed in the actual town of Hanover. My dad worked for this company, but he wasn't there when this strike took place. He had already moved to California.

Pictures Of The Past

Great-Uncle Felix Apodaca Contreras

 

Great Grandmother

Leonarda Apodaca

Great Grandma Leonarda

from left to right, my dad Ben, Felicitas, Danny in middle, Elias, and Sam

 Great Grandma Leonarda,

left to right, Rueben, Sam in the middle, Elias, Abram, Sara

 

 

Grandpa Benjamin and his brother Felix Contreras

Bayard, Fierro, Hanover, Hurley

Empire Zinc Company

 Hanover, New Mexico

I don't recognize who any of these men are. If there's anyone out there than can help me identify who these men are. They can be your Father, Grandfather, Uncle, etc. Please feel free to help me give these men a name to their faces.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Catholic Church

Mission Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe 1870 

 

     This church is where my Apodaca ancestors married and baptized their children.

 

 

 



Ben Apodaca’s Children

 

 

 

David (R.I.P)

 

 

 

Benjamin Lopez Apodaca (He was my father)



Benjamin L. Apodaca

     I am the daughter of Benjamin Lopez Apodaca. He was born on June 11, 1928 in Fierro, New Mexico, a small mining town. His parents were Benjamin and Francisca Apodaca.  My Grandfather moved his family to Pino Altos in 1934. At  the age of thirteen my dad worked for Mason Lumber company as a lumber jack located in Pinos Altos, behind the mountain of Signal Peak. At the age of fifteen he went to work as a miner. That didn't last to long because he was under age and was let go. He worked at the Hurly Smelter. Not sure what he did there. At the age of seventeen, he petition his parents for their permission to join the U.S. Navy. He enlisted into the Navy on August 31, 1945 and served in active duty until August 1946, whereupon he commenced his service in the reserves. He came back home in 1947 and worked for the Empire Zinc Company in Hanover, New Mexico.

 

     On October 24, 1950 he was conscripted into the U.S. Army 40th Infantry Division and served a tour of combat duty during the Korean War. My dad was a Sergeant, specializing in demolition. While clearing an enemy mine field, his fellow comrade in arms fell wounded.  He and another soldier risk their lives by carrying out their wounded friend, while in the midst of enemy fire. For his act of heroism, he was awarded the United States Bronze Metal. After he served in the Army he came to live in California and met my Mother Dolores. Together they had seven children and he helped raised seven step-children.  Though Dad was a man of modest means, he always provided a roof over our head, food on the table, and his love. He worked for Bethlehem Steel Company for 30 years until retirement. During his retirement years, he involved himself in genealogy. He amassed countless information on our family ancestral lineages.

 

    If a man can be measured by deeds, surely Dad is among those considered most generous.  He contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time to The Old Timer Steel Mill Retirement Association, where he was an advocate for aid to needy families.  He was never too busy to help his children and friends in time of need.

 

My Parents