Central Arizona Chapter Arizona Historical Society

Annual Meeting

2010-11-05T16:06:00.002-07:00

The Annual Meeting of the Arizona Historical Society will be on Saturday, November 6, at the AHS Museum at the Marley Center at Papago Park [1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe, Arizona].

The Board of Directors meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the general memebership meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Mark Your Calendar: Historymakers Gala

2010-09-29T16:37:00.001-07:00

Best Westerns

2010-09-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

This can spark some debate.

Here's a list of the Best Western Novels from the Western Writers of America.

Western Garb

2010-09-27T14:34:00.001-07:00

True West magazine has an article and slide show on the Victorian influence on western wear.

Check it out.

Pioneer Arizona

2010-09-27T14:30:00.002-07:00

Good news!

After a series of events that are history-making in themselves, Pioneer Arizona will have its Grand Re-Opening on October 9.

Western Film Giant: Republic Pictures

2010-08-31T16:19:00.002-07:00

Each of these companies brought talent, property and technical expertise to the merger. Among the actors who found themselves at the new studio was John Wayne, who was still in the middle of the B-picture part of his career. Mascot had Gene Autry, who was making a name as a singer but was just getting started in movies. And down the road was Roy Rogers, who Yates hoped would draw audiences away from Autry (Yates was sick and tired of battling over contracts and money with Autry).

Rogers ended up not replacing Autry, when it came to fan demand, but Yates wasn’t complaining; he had the two biggest singing cowboys stars in the world.

Read the rest of Henry Cabot Beck's True West magazine article on the 75th anniversary of Republic Pictures.

New CAC Officers

2010-08-31T16:11:00.002-07:00

I apologize for the dearth of posts. We've been in a transition period, but new posts will be cranked up.

The new officers of the Central Arizona Chapter of the Arizona Historical Society are:

President: George Hartz
1st Vice President: George Flores
2nd Vice President: Michael Wade
Secretary: Jeannine Moyle
Treasurer: Tobe Daum

Jack Donnelly, Millicent Jones, and Richard Shaw completed their service on the CAC Board. Jack and Richard continue to serve on the State AHS Board. Many thanks go to all of these people for their service.

Celebrate Independence Day in the Pines

2010-06-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Independence Day Festival
July 3 -4, 2010 at the Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum, 2340 N Ft. Valley Rd. Flagstaff, Arizona.

10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

$3 for ages 12 - 60+

11 and under are free

Meet historical re-enactors from Northern Arizona’s past.
Civil War and Mountain man camps
Camp cooking, blacksmith, traditional woodcraft and other traditional crafts
2nd US Artillery Battery B provides Historic Artillery Demonstrations
Call for more information: 928-774-6272

Central Arizona Chapter Annual Meeting

2010-05-17T07:00:00.004-07:00

The annual meeting of the Central Arizona Chapter of the Arizona Historical Society will be held this week.

When? May 20, 2010 at 3 p.m.

Where? The Arizona Historical Society Museum (Marley Center) at Papago Park at 1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe.

The meeting will elect board members and officers for the 2010-2011 terms.

See you there!

Attention Mystery Buffs: Phoenix Noir

2010-05-01T19:02:00.007-07:00

We're used to reading mysteries and crime stories based in New York and Los Angeles.

Phoenix gets its turn in Phoenix Noir, a collection of dark tales based in the Valley.

One of the stories just received an Edgar award.

Top 10 Unknown Westerns?

2010-04-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

Writing in True West, Johnny D. Boggs reviews the top ten western movies you've never heard of.

A Brief History of the Phoenix Fire Department

2010-03-24T14:52:00.003-07:00

Several fiery conflagrations struck the western town of Phoenix before the citizens took any measures to create a fire department. Finally, on Aug. 17, 1886, a special bond issue was passed that raised $10,000 to improve the water supply, purchase modern firefighting equipment and form Phoenix Engine Company #1. It was strictly a volunteer fire company with a charter membership of 25 men.

A Knott steam fire engine, a hook and ladder wagon, two hose carts and 1,000 feet of fire hose were purchased for $5,000. Prior to delivery of the new equipment in the spring of 1887, other volunteer companies were organized. On Feb. 12, 1887, the Aztec Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was formed. There was also a Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 and a mostly Hispanic group that became known as Yucatec Hose Company No. 2.

Bitter rivalry between the different volunteer companies led Frank Czarnowski to unite the companies and, on April 13, 1888, he became the first chief of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department.

Click here to read the rest of a brief history of the Phoenix Fire Department.

Do You Remember The Palms Theater?

2010-03-24T06:53:00.003-07:00

If you've ever wondered what happened to some of the walk-in and drive-in movie theaters of old Phoenix and its surrounding cities, this interesting site will answer your questions while evoking many memories.

A Brief History of Phoenix's Police Department

2010-03-24T06:44:00.002-07:00

Phoenix was incorporated as a city on February 25, 1881. Law enforcement was handled by Phoenix city marshals and later by Phoenix police officers.

Henry Garfias, the first city marshal, was elected by residents in 1881 in the first elections of the newly incorporated city. For six years, he served as the primary law enforcement officer.

In the early 1900's, the Phoenix Police Department used Old Nelly, the horse, to pull the patrol wagon for officers. Most patrolling, however, was done on foot. The city at this time was only 3.1 square miles with a population of 11,134 people.

Read the rest of the history of the Phoenix Police Department here.

Hear the Story of The Trunk Murderess: April 24, 2010

2010-03-21T07:12:00.003-07:00

Jana Bommersbach, author of The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd, will be speaking at the Arizona Historical Society Museum [1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe) on Saturday, April 24, 2010.

Those of you with some roots in Arizona history probably remember this notorious case. Winnie Ruth Judd was accused of murdering her two girlfriends, stuffing them into a trunk, and taking them by train to Los Angeles. Jana Bommersbach's account takes us back to the Phoenix of 1931, the trial, and her view of what really happened that night.

Admission is free. A free copy of the book will be given to the first 25 guests.

For additional information, contact Megan Gately at 480-929-0292, ex.137 or email mgately@azhs.gov.

Saturday, March 20, 2010: Come to the Fair

2010-03-07T09:57:00.006-07:00

The third annual Arizona Historical Photographs Fair will be held from 11:00 to 3:00 this Saturday (March 20) at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park at 1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe.

There will be interesting speakers, scads of historical photos, much fun for one and all and it is free to the public! See you there!

New Tour: March 12, 2010

2010-02-16T12:49:00.005-07:00

Here's a tour bargain!

Affinity Group Tours is conducting a March 12, 2010 tour that will go from Tempe to Besh-Ba-Gowah and Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

There is a special price of $96/person for Arizona Historical Society members with a current membership card. The price is $110/person for non-AHS members.

The tour will depart from the AHS Museum at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe at 8:00 a.m. and return at 5:00 p.m. The reservations deadline for the tour is Friday, March 5, 2010.

Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park near Globe, Arizona is one of the largest single-site archaeological collections in the southwest and one of the most significant finds of Southwest archaeology. The Archaeological Park preserves the remains of a 300-room pueblo inhabited by the Salado Indians from 1225-1400 A.D. Next, the tour group will visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona for a picnic lunch and guided tour. The Smith Interpretive Center was built in 1925 of locally quarried stone, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Arboretum includes the Heritage Rose Garden, Cactus Garden, Herb Garden, Eucalyptus Forest and large Demonstration Garden.

Tour includes transportation with professional driver, admissions, professional tour guide, picnic lunch, and chilled, bottled water. For more information, contact Connie Cornelius at Affinity Group Tours: -- Telephone: 888-561-8976 Email: connie@affinitygrouptours.com.

A tour flyer is on the AHS website at www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/UserFiles/PDF/news_events/Besh-Ba-Gowah2.pdf . Tour details can also be found online at www.affinitygrouptours.com/tourselections.html .

Historical League Cookbooks

2010-02-15T14:24:00.003-07:00

The Historical League has just received 3,000 copies of its award-winning cookbook. Click here for details and information on how you can buy it.

Arizona History Books

2010-02-14T17:26:00.003-07:00

It is appropriate to recognize Arizona Statehood Day with some books about Arizona. Some of the Central Arizona Chapter Board members have listed their three favorites:

Janice Bryson
Vanished Arizona by Martha Summerhayes. The story of an Army wife in the days when non-Native American women were scarce in the territory. (Although my father thought Martha complained too much; I can see the struggle she had)

The Great American Orphan Abduction by Linda Gordon - - life in the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci and dynamics of life between the Caucasions and Mexicans in regards to their relationships, social events, opportunities for education and treament on the job.

Apache Vengence by Jess Hayes - true story of the capture of the Apache Kid and other Indians; their trial; their subsequent escape and the murder of Sheriff Glenn Reynolds and the manhunt that followed all over the state.

Tobe Daum
Amazing Girls of Arizona, by Jan CleereChief YellowHorse Lives On by Lisa Schneblly HeidingerWillow Creek Road by Richard Clark
Mary Colter, Architect of the Southwest by Arnold Berke

Phil Hanson
Thomas Edwin Farish - History of Arizona (I know it's 8 volumes )
Reg Manning - What Kind of Cactus izzat
Marshall Trimble – Arizona

George Hartz
My three non-fiction recommendations would be Marshall Trimble’s “Roadside History of Arizona”, Martha Summerhayes’ “Vanished Arizona”, and “Be It Enacted: The Creation of the Territory of Arizona” by Dr. B. Sacks.

For fiction it would be Nancy Turner’s “These Is My Words”.

Ruth Ann Hogan
Three books by Nancy E. Turner, who lives in Tucson. They are:
These is my Words
Sarah's Quilt
The Star Garden

Charles Lucky
The Arizona Story by Kyle McKoy and Jim Turner
Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O'Connor
Tony Hillerman's Landscape by his daughter Anne Hillerman

Dr. James McBride
My three would be Summerhayes, Vanished Arizona; an easy first choice. Second, Eva Antonia Wilbur-Cruce, A Beautiful Cruel Country, and third, so that that there is a survey available, Marshall Trimble's Arizona: A Cavalcade of History. But I've got to tell you limiting it to three choices was difficult. I wish there was a good, comprehensive book on mining, and one on organized labor; the impact of these two areas on the state, in my opinion, cannot be overstated.

Richard Shaw
1. For best general history, "Arizona, a history" by prof. Thomas Sheridan, UA Press
2. For a depiction of early Arizona history and adventures, "Arizona, years of courage" by Vance Wampler, based on the life of Arizona pioneer William Kirkland
3. For the best way to understand the evolution of the State, Counties, and cities and geography, "Historical Atlas of Arizona" by Walker & Bufkin.

Michael Wade
On the Border with Crook by John Bourke
Arizona by Thomas Sheridan
Arizona by Malcolm Comeaux

Albie Sachs Speaks at the AHS Museum

2010-02-13T20:52:00.004-07:00

Anti-apartheid activist and former Justice of the South African Constitutional Court, Albie Sachs, will speak at 7:00 p.m. on February 15 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Avenue in Tempe, Arizona. His speech will focus on the post-apartheid reconstruction and the South African Constitutional Court Building.

The lecture is free to the public.

Sachs holds a B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of Cape Town and a Ph.D. from the University of Sussex. He was a chief architect of the South African Constitution and was a noted apartheid opponent. In 1988, he was the target of a car bombing by South African security agents, which cost him his right arm and sight in one eye.

Arizona Centennial Museum!

2010-02-12T16:49:00.003-07:00

There was some big news today: Governor Brewer announced plans to create an Arizona Centennial Museum.

The museum will be a permanent facility dedicated to examining Arizona's history and the "5 C's": Citrus, Climate, Copper, Cattle, and Cotton." The Arizona Historical Society will manage the Centennial Museum.

Legend City

2010-01-18T14:07:00.003-07:00

Click here for a web site tribute to Legend City, the Phoenix area amusement park that opened in 1963 and closed in 1983.

Many Thanks

2010-01-16T16:51:00.002-07:00

Many thanks to the AHS members, staff, and Central Arizona Chapter board members who attended the first Members Feedback event.

A lot of very good ideas were surfaced on how we can become a more dynamic, creative, and nimble organization.

One thing is clear: We need to tap into the skills and insight of our members more frequently.

A follow-up report on the meeting will be posted.

Members Feedback Meeting This Saturday!

2010-01-15T10:55:00.002-07:00

One more reminder:

The Members Feedback Meeting will be this Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:00 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park (1300 South College Avenue in Tempe). It will last approximately one hour although we’ll be willing to stay afterwards to continue the discussion.

Come to the meeting and tell the Central Arizona Chapter Board and Staff how the Chapter and the Arizona Historical Society can improve.

Upcoming Tour to Amerind Museum

2010-01-10T19:24:00.001-07:00

Don't forget!

Affinity Group Tours is offering a special tour program to members of the Arizona Historical Society. Its latest tour offering is a trip to the Amerind Museum in Dragoon on Friday, January 23, 2010. The Amerind Museum is noted for its collection of Native American art and artifacts.

The tour will depart the AHS Museum at Papago Park at 7:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. Sun City and Tucson pick-ups are vailable upon request. There is a special price for AHS members (with membership card) of $86. [Nonmembers pay $95.] The tour cost includes lunch.

Information on registration is at www.AffinityGroupTours.com or via phone at 480-544-0144.

The Slaughter Ranch

2010-01-10T17:43:00.005-07:00

Serious Arizona history buffs will want to see the Slaughter Ranch in southern Arizona.

The ranch was the home of the famous John Slaughter, who served as Sheriff of Cochise County during some of the wildest "shoot em up" years. [Some of you may recall the television series about Sheriff Slaughter. Its theme song noted, "Texas John Slaughter made men do what they oughter, because if they didn't, they died."]

Dillinger in Tucson

2010-01-10T12:08:00.002-07:00

The Arizona Historical Society web site has a slide show on gangster John Dillinger and his nefarious activities and arrest in Tucson.

How Can We Get Better?

2009-12-24T08:33:00.002-07:00

We need your thoughts.

Supporters and members of the Central Arizona Chapter of the Arizona Historical Society are invited to a special meeting to voice their ideas on how the Society can do a better job. We are interested in hearing about:

the programs we have or should be having;
services you appreciate or ones you’d like to see;
exhibits you’ve particularly enjoyed or would like to see;
what we do well; and
what we don’t do well.

The meeting will be on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:00 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park (1300 South College Avenue in Tempe). It will last approximately one hour although we’ll be willing to stay afterwards to continue the discussion.

Right now, we have no idea how many people will show up for the meeting. [You and I may be the only ones in the room.] But any group that wants to succeed needs to know the hopes and expectations of its customers. This is a start.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Border: Circa 1900

2009-12-22T20:18:00.002-07:00

The above photo is from the Pimeria Alta Historical Society in Nogales, Arizona. It is a street scene in Nogales, circa 1900. Note the marker for the border.

Books of the Southwest in Electronic Text

2009-12-21T14:39:00.004-07:00

Here's a great resource for Arizona history buffs!

You can read several notable Arizona history books on-line at the University of Arizona Library’s Books of the Southwest electronic text project. Click here.

The Blue Tattoo

2009-12-20T07:21:00.007-07:00

Margot Mifflin will make a presentation and will be signing copies of her new book, The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman, at 7:00 p.m. on January 14, 2010 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, Arizona.

The event is free to the public. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Mifflin's book is the first modern biography of Olive Oatman, a Mormon pioneer who was captured, tattooed, and raised by Mohave Indians in the 1850s.

Novelist Elmore Leonard notes, “Margot Mifflin has written a winner… The Blue Tattoo offers quite intense drama along with thorough scholarship.”

UPDATE: Here's a related article in True West magazine.

Luminarias

2009-12-11T16:14:00.005-07:00

How does the Desert Botanical Garden light and then snuff out all of those luminarias?

A short video on the secret.

[HT: Arizona Tourism]

Ghost Towns

2009-12-11T12:29:00.002-07:00

There is a web site for everything. Click here for one on Arizona ghost towns.

December 24, 1915

2009-12-09T21:17:00.002-07:00

"Phoenix Business Association opens campaign to sell Congress on the idea of buying land from Mexico on the Gulf of California so that Arizona may build a seaport."

- From An Arizona Chronology, 1913 - 1936, by Douglas D. Martin

Tovrea Castle

2009-11-24T16:40:00.003-07:00

The City of Phoenix has a rather nice web site for Tovrea Castle.

The Castle will be open for tours in the fall of 2010.

[Update: I've learned that opening date has been kicked back. Additional work is needed before the Castle and its grounds are open to the general public.]

Book Fair in Tucson

2009-11-24T09:59:00.003-07:00

The Arizona Historical Society will be holding its annual Book Fair at the AHS Museum in Tucson on December 4 and 5.

Here is a list of the authors and info on the event.

Support Arizona History!

2009-11-24T09:39:00.007-07:00

If you are not already a member but are interested in preserving and learning about Arizona history, you should join the Arizona Historical Society and become part of a group that has been around since 1864. Now more than ever, we need your support and involvement. You can find membership categories and benefits here.

And remember, this is a great time to give memberships in the Society to friends and associates who value Arizona's story.

If you wish to make a donation to support the Society's preservation, exhibit, and education programs, Deborah Ortiz of the Society's staff will be glad to help. Information on our donation program is here. To make a donation, please contact Deborah at (520) 617-1169 or at dortiz@azhs.gov .

Glendale's Memory Project

2009-11-24T07:58:00.002-07:00

Here's an interesting video on the Glendale Historical Society's admirable efforts to preserve photos and memories.

And here is a gallery of some photos of old downtown Glendale.

Amerind Museum Tour

2009-11-19T09:12:00.006-07:00

Affinity Group Tours is offering a special tour program to members of the Arizona Historical Society.

Its latest tour offering is a trip to the Amerind Museum in Dragoon on Friday, January 23, 2010. The Amerind Museum is noted for its collection of Native American art and artifacts. The tour will depart the AHS Museum at Papago Park at 7:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. Sun City and Tucson pick-ups are vailable upon request.

There is a special price for AHS members (with membership card) of $86. [Nonmembers pay $95.] The tour cost includes lunch.

Information on registration is at www.AffinityGroupTours.com or via phone at 480-544-0144.

Looking Back at The Orpheum

2009-11-19T08:51:00.005-07:00

The Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix was built for $750,000 in 1929. That was a sizable amount of money in those days and, when you consider the year, what is known in business as very bad timing.

Here is a fact sheet on the theatre and a slide show of its architectural features. Information on the upcoming events as well as tours can be found at the Friends of the Orpheum Theatre site.

Many Thanks

2009-11-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Many thanks are due to Joan Robinson-Blumit, the Historical League member who, with humor, grace, and skill, designed this blog.

Without her assistance, we'd still be in the rocks and sticks stage.

Thanks, Joan!

Frank Luke: Rogue Ace

2009-11-19T05:52:00.004-07:00

Be sure to read CAC Board member James McBride's review of "Terror of the Autumn Skies: The True Story of Frank Luke, America's Rogue Ace of World War I" by Blaine Pardoe in the Autumn 2009 issue of The Journal of Arizona History. An excerpt:

. . . Perdoe provides an excellent account of individual aerial combat ("dogfights"). Here again the emphasis is on the brash, independent, undisciplined, character of Frank Luke. Frank never adjusted to, nor accepted, military discipline. This was especially alarming in a type of warfare that required cooperation and discipline. Much of the book focuses on Frank's rejection by most members of his squadron.

November Board Meeting

2009-11-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

This month's Central Arizona Chapter Board of Directors meeting will be on Thursday, November 19, at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park in Tempe at 3:30 p.m.

The Thinking Behind the CAC Blog

2009-11-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

What is the method in this blogging madness?

It's simple. Many organizations have hard copy newsletters. Those require a lot of time and money and nowadays both are in tight supply. As a result, we are thinking high-tech and are going to launch an electronic newsletter to notify chapter members and others of events and programs.

We'll use the blog to post detailed descriptions and articles that can then receive a link in the electronic newsletter. This keeps the size of the electronic newsletter to a minimum while letting the reader decide which subjects deserve a closer look.

This is a cost-effective way of telling people about our programs and the benefits of membership in the Arizona Historical Society. We'll also strive to make it fun to read.

We hope you'll like it.

Arizona Historical Photographs Fair

2009-11-16T21:13:00.013-07:00

Saturday - March 20, 2010

FREE ADMISSION

11:00 - 3:00

Arizona Historical Photographs Fair

Arizona Historical Society Museum

At Papago Park,1300 N. College Avenue, Tempe, AZ

Pictures you can tell a story about in one of these categories:

People
Commercial
Life Styles
Arizona Cities/Town
Events

Numerous Award Categories

Winning photographs will remain on display at museum

Additional information on how to enter photographs and other Fair details will soon be posted on this site.