Tag: early arizona
The Story of J Goldwater & Bros: Commerce on the Colorado River
"Gold!" The word spread like wildfire. The emotional pitch generated by that single cry sent normally sane men and women scurrying up hundreds of canyons and river beds to wash away nameless mountains—a shovel load at a time—over the riffles of a sluice box.How the Arizona/Mexico Border Came to Be
In 1848, at the end of the Mexican War, Mexico gave up a huge hunk of territory including parts of what are now New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, plus its claim to Texas.The southern border of Arizona at the time was the Gila River.Arizona Oddities’ Favorite 12 Posts from 2012
We offer a wide range of stories on Arizona Oddities catering to an eclectic group of fans from around the state. From history and recreation to artistic endeavors and those weird things you see along the highway, we’ve got it covered. Here, we’re showcasing our favorite 12 posts from 2012.The Story of George Wiley P. Hunt: Arizona’s First Governor
George Wiley Paul Hunt was never quite sure why he came to Arizona. It might have been the aura of romance and excitement of the name and it might have been because a boyhood friend who joined the Army had been sent to the Arizona frontier and returned home with tales of adventure.The Story of Charles Poston: The “Father of Arizona”
During the opening of new lands in the Oklahoma Territory in the early 1900s, those who entered legally— starting at the sound of the land agent's gunshot—were called Boomers. However, there were those who sneaked in early and staked out claims. These were called Sooners. Arizona, too, had a few Sooners. One of these was ...Prospector Joe Mulhatton Known for His (Very) Tall Tales
Prospector Joe Mulhatton was a popular burlesquer of facts in Arizona around the turn of the century. Newspapers at the time were more blunt: they called him the most "artistic and consistent liar ever turned loose on a nation."Joe Felmer’s Mule Scheme Goes Awry
Going back a few years, before the mass migration of greenhorns, Joe Felmer was one of Arizona's better-known colorful personalities. Felmer did a little scouting for the Army around old Camp Grant in the 1870s and had a little ranch a few miles from the post. He had been married to an Apache woman for ...Endicott Peabody: Religion Arrives in Helldorado
Ominous clouds hovered over Tombstone that January morning in 1882, as the Sandy Bob Stage rambled into town in a cloud of dust. The grey sky gave forewarning of a fast-approaching snowstorm. The passengers arriving that morning were, with one exception, typical— a military officer on his way to Fort Huachuca, an elderly Jewish peddler ...Rest Stop Marks Border of Gadsden Purchase
Next time you drive between Phoenix and Tucson, you may want to stop by the Sacaton Rest Area for more than a good stretch and a little relief. Located on the Gila River Indian Reservation off 1-10 on Exit 181 (eastbound), this seemingly low-key rest stop holds some special historical significance.Arizona History Trivia 4: Can You Pass?
Test your knowledge of Arizona’s history with this quick quiz, originally published in Marshall Trimble’s Official Arizona Trivia. Don’t scroll down too quickly. The answers are posted shortly below the questions. When you’re finished, leave a comment with your score. Good luck!
Why Does Downtown Phoenix Seem to Have Two Downtowns?
The Tucson Artifacts are the Southwest’s Greatest Hoax