NOGALES – Twenty-five people watch as author Cathy Hufault projects black-and-white pictures of six Boy Scouts onto a screen at the Pimeria Alta Historical Society.

These boys set out on an 80 degree day in November 1958 to climb Mount Wrightson, tallest of the mountains around Tucson. The group included one boy determined to celebrate his birthday at the summit, she explains.

American Indians lived, worked and played in the verdant valleys, harsh deserts and lush high Ponderosa pine forests of Arizona centuries before Anglos set foot in the state. Although Anglos’ relationship with tribes hasn’t always been smooth, Native Americans have contributed much to the state as it has grown up during its first 100 years.

From the day that Arizona became a state on Feb. 14, 1912, its boundaries have remained unchanged, but if not for some political gamesmanship, today’s Grand Canyon State would have had a remarkably different portrait.

Jim Combs, owner of Wellington LTD, a Colorado marketing company that offers limited-edition firearms with laser-etched carvings for special occasions, keeps tabs on such things as city, county, state and business anniversaries.



So he came up with a state of Arizona centennial special edition rifle. He calls it a collector’s Henry grade .45-caliber rifle.

The state officially broke ground on a project to transform Washington Street into “Centennial Way” just in time for Arizona to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its entry into the union.

There was talk years ago that Arizona should build a new State Capitol to keynote its 2012 centennial celebration.

It’s closing in on 100 years since veterinarian A.J. Chandler sold plots of his 18,000-acre ranch to establish the city. That was three months after Arizona became a state on Feb. 14, 1912.

City leaders are organizing to commemorate both centennials next year. But given the poor economy and tight budget, it’s going to require scaling back some and seeking private donations, said Jean Reynolds, Chandler’s public history coordinator.

Ned and Diana Creighton A lot can happen in 100 years. Just look around. It’s an ever-changing landscape. But one constant that continues to provide a wealth of information on the Capitol scene — in a fair, comprehensive and accurate manner — is Arizona News Service. Launched and guided by the Creighton family for nearly [...]

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