3:10 to Yuma is a remake of a 1957 cowboy movie. I love Hollywood cowboy movies and I loved this one. It is not a good movie, being pretty corny in places and downright ridiculous in others. But it is fun entertainment that makes for a good evening out.
The first part of the movie takes place a long time ago in a very early version of Bisbee, Arizona. The local bigwigs are trying to move a local farmer to make way for the coming railroad. Naturally the farmer does not want to move (you can already see the mining parallels.) All ends unhappily/happily as the railroad representative promises the dying farmer to protect his family, farm, and livestock. Along the way there have been good old-fashion gun fights, tearjerk interactions of father and son, and rough-raw nobility and courage. Plus one interaction with unseen Apaches–the 2007 movie is politically correct.
At this link is a great presentation by the former mayor of Bisbee. He traces the mining history of the town and provides many great photos of old mines that must have developed once the railroad arrived, presumably over a different farm.
This presentation is but one of many from the 2006 National Summit of Mining Communities held in Leadville, Colorado. I once camped for a week in the Leadville camp grounds. I would love to spend time again in the clear, high-country air and those awesome surroundings, but, alas, I cannot see how to finagle a trip to the 2007 conference being held on mining communities too tough to die, September 24-27, 2007. Presumably the presentations will appear on the web in due course. For now we must content ourselves with the 2006 presentations and the sales pitch for the 2007 sessions. Here are some:
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The National Summit of Mining Communities was created in 2006 in recognition that many mining communities experience the economic pitfalls associated with the boom and bust cycles of mining. The Summit will focus on sharing experiences in order to help communities avert or reduce the severe economic cycles associated with changes in company presence.
Sample the local cuisine and spirits of America’s highest Incorporated City, and mingle with fellow passengers on the “boom and bust” rollercoaster. Tour the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum and visit the Summit Expo, new this year.
Tourists today are looking for more diversified and authentic experiences in their travel plans. Learn how to “discover” and integrate human built and natural assets into a comprehensive strategy to optimize visitation and minimize the negative impacts of tourism in your community.
The Mining Companies are driven by business interests, and the Regulators are driven by regulations. What is it that defines the Communities’ interests? Learn to define and articulate your Communities’ interests in a “loud and clear” voice.
Sustainability and Green are terms in our contemporary lexicon that mean many different things to many different people. Learn how to cut through the hyperbole and apply these techniques in your community to enhance the quality of life.
For my part, this weekend I will probably just ride around the new mining town that is Vancouver, and go see another trashy Hollywood action movie. Enjoy.
PS. Having posted this piece, a reader reminded me that there were two references to Leadville in 3:10 to Yuma:, namely:
Wade and his moll first met in Leadville.
Wade extolled the virtues of Leadville to the boy.
It was presented as the swinging city of the times … a sort of nineteenth century Las Vegas?
