Buchans mine, ca. 1930s

Buchans was a company-owned mining town for the first half of the 20th century. The American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) owned all of the town’s houses and buildings, including its hospital and school. Workers were not allowed to build their own homes and instead had to live in company-owned bunkhouses, if they were single, or in cottages, if they were married.

Reproduced by the permission of the Buchans Miners Museum.