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Arizona’s official historian shares passion through music, humor
Stepping off stage after a 9/11 memorial at the State Capitol, Arizona’s official historian is just setting down his guitar when two fifth–graders approach him with questions about their history projects.
Queen of the Colorado
This Mohave was the largest and most palatial of the paddle-wheelers on the Colorado River a century ago. The photo was taken in 1876, when the Mohave was docked at Yuma taking on school children for a May Day excursion. The ship had been launched earlier that year, replacing a smaller boat (also called the Mohave) that had been dismantled and completely rebuilt.
Old Main: No Running on the Balcony
During the first session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1864 — when not a single public school existed in the newly formed territory — lawmakers authorized a university and wrote a constitution to guide its affairs.
Building the Kaibab Bridge, 1921
The Kaibab suspension bridge over the Colorado River was to link Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with the Kaibab Trail on the North Rim. At the time, the only means of crossing the river between the two trails was by small canvas boat. (The closest ferry crossings were at Lee’s Ferry, upstream near the Utah border and downstream at Needles on the California border.) Const[...]
Specialty license plates run amok
If a cactus and sunset don’t suit a driver, Arizonans can now opt for one of the 49 specialty plates when they register their cars.
But some call the numerous specialty plates, including the ironic Tea Party plate and one for the embattled Phoenix Coyotes, a threat to public safety and private groups using the government to pad their bottom lines.
The Pyramid of Hi Jolly
Hi Jolly’s pyramid may not be the only pyramid in Arizona, but its composition of quartz and petrified wood along with its unusual metal silhouette of a camel perched on top makes it one of the state’s most notable monuments. Thousands travel past it every day but few realize it’s there.
Arizona mining museum in Phoenix closes
The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum near the State Capitol has closed a month earlier than expected. As the building's overseer, the Arizona Historical Society had originally planned to shutter the museum at the end of the school year.
Flagstaff ’s Basque La Cancha
On the historic Sanborne Fire Insurance maps of downtown Flagstaff, this imposing, walled sandstone open court is listed as a ruin, nearly from the time it was built in 1926.
Sidney R. DeLong: Engineer, Soldier, Editor
Sidney R. DeLong was one of Arizona’s early Anglo settlers — an engineer, miner, soldier, editor, historian and businessman. Unlike the stereotypical Westerner of his era, he was also a man of conscience, integrity and refinement.
Tucson’s Arizona Pool Room
Business was good at the Arizona Pool Room when this photograph was taken about 1912.
Themes of proposed license plates include centennial, ‘Don’t Tread on Me’
In a rite of spring, state legislators are proposing at least 12 special license plates that would add to nearly 50 offered by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Arizona’s Snow Bowl
Skiing was introduced to Flagstaff in 1915, probably by a pair of Norwegian immigrants, brothers Ole and Pete Solberg. The Solbergs made skis and started downhill runs on Observatory Hill where the Lowell Observatory was located, very nearly in the center of town.
