El Corazon / Crystal Silica Sand Mine (Oceanside, California) | neighbourhood development

USA / California / Oceanside / Oceanside, California
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Originally owned and operated by Crystal Silica, then bought out by U.S. Silica, who in turn closed it down in 1991. Reasons for closure stated as environmental and economic pressure. Attorneys representing local residents factored in as reasons for closure. When mine began operation in 1927, there was practically nothing in the vicinity except for the railroad. As civilization closed in on the mine, residents complained about its proximity, sound emanating from its screenhouse, and the release of airborne constituents. Local residents received their payoffs, at the expense of local jobs and 15 years of tax revenue.

The former mine is now slated to become "El Corazon," a mixed-use 450-acre property consisting of open space, a senior citizen center, recreation facility, trails, and commercial buildings.

www.elcorazon.ci.oceanside.ca.us
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   33°12'27"N   117°19'20"W

Comments

  • So what is it now - a toxic waste dump? Oh, um...I guess it is.
  • No, This site is obviously not a toxic waste dump. What prompted that comment by Wikimapia user "No Exit"? I see by looking at the current maps that the land is being used as some sort of a plant and tree nursury. I was a former employee of US Silica. I worked the screenhouse. The lawsuits against the company were absolutely ridiculous. People go to the beach and inhale more airborne silica than what this sand processing plant put into the air. The company went to great expense and effort to minimize emissions of airborne silica particulates. Local residents jumped onto the litigation bandwagon as attorneys stuffed cash into their pockets. As a result, local jobs were lost. For the loss of our jobs, I place blame onto each and every local resident who benefited from the lawsuits. They placed personal financial gain over the overall good of society and economic health. Shame forever, onto them, and onto the greedy attorneys who led the cases.
  • DD_Ryan, I'd like to hear from you. I hauled many truckloads out of Crystal/US Silica in Oceanside. I'm looking for photographs of the facility to add to my scrapbook. Do you have any you could copy? craigbass at gmail
  • DD Ryan I am working for Moodys Recycling at the Silica Property. I have been involved since 1992 just before US Silica closed the plant. I have may aerials of the site from the 50's through the 90's. I am doing a short history of the property from the first mining in 1927 through 1994 and would like to interview you if you would be interested. You can reach me at osidenow@gmail.com John Daley
  • DD-Ryan I am John Daley from the Oceanside Historical Society. I am planning on doing History of El Corazon in the near future for the community. This is of course the Crystal Silica's property. From 1927 when the company leased its first land from Schutte to the closing of US Silica's plant to today I hope to bring insight to the use and value of the site. I also worked the site between 1992 and 1994 and through monthly testing discovered that there were no contaminants existed at the site. I am looking for additional photos and stories about the plant. Please let me know if can help me. 760-803-1017
This article was last modified 7 years ago