Vanessa Camacho, Assistant Professor of History, El Paso Community College

Proposal Type: Panel

Abstract: In April 2013, residents of El Paso, Texas woke up early to witness on television the demolition of two iconic smokestacks belonging to the former ASARCO copper smelter site. Prior to the demolition, a group of concerned citizens worked to preserve the smokestacks despite the fact that the site was heavily contaminated with lead. Their efforts caused much debate in El Paso that revealed the smokestacks contested place in El Pasoans collective and individual memories. Some valued the smokestacks as a symbol of the region’s mining history and a familiar landmark along the interstate highway. Others viewed the smokestacks as a symbol of environmental pollution that had forced a small community to abandon their homes near ASARCO. This proposal examines the ASARCO smokestacks’ competing histories, explores the commemoration of controversial sites, and the larger question of what kind of history do El Pasoans want to preserve?

Seeking: What kind of history do El Pasoans want to preserve? is an intriguing question that arises whenever there is a downtown building up for demolition (happened last week), historic sites are put on a preservation endangered list (again, last week), or the city proposes major changes like tear down City Hall to build a Triple-AAA baseball stadium (happened last year). The ASARCO smokestacks are a starting point to address this question. I also want to consider how El Paso’s location along the U.S.-Mexico border and it’s troubling negative image might factor in the discussion.

I’m seeking feedback as to how to refine this proposal as well as fellow public historians to join the panel who see their cities and towns undergoing similar changes or have seen these changes and can provide insight.

Related Topics: Preservation, Place, Environment

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Vanessa Camacho, vmacia16[at]epcc.edu

If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion

5 comments
  1. Denise Meringolo says:

    Two thoughts: is this proposal related to the proposal on mineral industries? Could they be combined? Alternatively, would this work more effectively as an exhibit of some kind?

  2. Cassie Kilroy Thompson says:

    I think I see this proposal a little differently – and broader – perhaps answering the questions of “What role should historical interpretation (or changing interpretations) play in preservation decisions?” and “When is preservation not about commemoration but more about differing collective memories?”

  3. Modupe Labode says:

    El Paso is certainly a hotbed of contested history, and the ASARCO smokestack (or rather, its legacy) would be a great issue to explore. Just this topic proposal has gotten me to think about the opportunities that Superfund sites and “brownfields” provide for public historians to discuss environmental justice, immigration, labor, and industrial history!
    From the its website, it appears that people at the Rocky Flats Institute and Museum are dealing with comparable issues (http://www.rockyflatscoldwarmuseum.org/). Their oral history program, for example, includes the voices of Rocky Flats employees and anti-nuclear weapons protesters. Good luck!

  4. Vanessa Camacho says:

    Thanks to all for your comments that have helped me see my proposal from a wider perspective!

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