Pioneer Arizona

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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