Arizona History

Look Ma, it's Tempe baby
Danelle Plaza at Southern and Mill in Tempe is like a lot of strip malls. There’s a mix of businesses in there — a clothing shop, a restaurant, a record store, a billiards hall and perhaps the most well-known one, Yucca Tap Room. Danelle Plaza has been an important part of Tempe’s music and alternative arts scene, which is what drew Rob Moore to it.
May. 7, 2021
John and Cindy McCain on their honeymoon in Hawaii
Cindy McCain endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential race against Donald Trump. And she was given at least some of the credit for Biden becoming only the third Democratic presidential candidate to win in Arizona since World War II. That's just one of the stories she tells in her new autobiography.
May. 6, 2021
Lisa Magaña Empowered: Latinos Transforming Arizona Politics
The growing power of Latino activists and voters in Arizona politics has been seen in recent elections in the state. As observers wondered whether the impact would truly emerge, people involved in movements have argued it has always been evident.
May. 4, 2021
KJZZ microphone
It isn't just the 50th anniversary of NPR’s All Things Considered. It’s also the year KJZZ turns 70. And before it settled on its name, the station had several others.
May. 3, 2021
1968 opening of I-10 near the Broadway Curve
On May 3, 1971, NPR launched its first original program — All Things Considered. That's also the same year KJZZ became an NPR member station. In honor of the anniversary, take a look back at what Phoenix was like 50 years ago.
KJZZ Wasn't Always KJZZ. Here's How The Station Got Its Name
More Arizona History Stories
May. 3, 2021
Mission San Antonio Paduano del Oquitoa
A binational group met this week to work toward recognizing missions in Arizona and Sonora as important cultural heritage sites.
Apr. 30, 2021
wild horse along the Salt River
From the wild horses that live along the Salt River to the purebreds of Scottsdale's Arabian Horse Show, Arizona has a longtime association with equines of all kinds. In the April issue of Arizona Highways magazine, journalist Matt Jaffe took a look at the many important roles horses have played in the state's history.
Apr. 19, 2021
a deeper map image
For many generations before Phoenix became Arizona's capital, it was a very diverse place full of canals and fascinating topography. A Deeper Map app allows users to find out more about where they may be currently standing in metro Phoenix — including what ancient canals and farmland looked like.
Apr. 14, 2021
Such and Champ Styles Donkey Kong
The Tempe History Museum has announced that it will reopen to the public with a new exhibit for the big kids — "Video Invaders," which is about the history of arcades and gaming with a view to games of the future.
Apr. 6, 2021
Dorothy Fratt
Dorothy Fratt is an artist renowned for her use of color. The Show spoke with her son, Gregory Fratt, about his mother's legacy.
Mar. 31, 2021
terri cruz
Terri Cruz was one of the founders of Chicanos Por La Causa. She was born in Tucson in 1927 and died in 2017, and during her career was given numerous awards and commendations for her work in the community.
Mar. 24, 2021
exterior of building
Phoenix is accepting offers to redevelop a former bank building. The 1.55-acre property on 24th Street between Jefferson and Washington streets was designed by Kenneth Oberg and built in 1966 to house a First National Bank of Arizona branch.
More Arizona Business News
Mar. 23, 2021
Arizona Highways
For nearly 100 years, Arizona Highways magazine has captured the history and culture of the state. Their latest achievement: They’ve now digitized every issue of the storied magazine.
Mar. 11, 2021
JFA Jodie Foster's Army skate punk band 1986
In 1981, a group of Phoenix musicians from various punk bands coalesced to form Arizona’s contribution to the West Coast punk scene — Jodie Foster’s Army. The band has released numerous albums, and bootlegged cassettes of their shows from the early '80s continue to be traded by aficionados. The band celebrates their 40th anniversary this year.
Mar. 2, 2021
The Cady Lumber Company store
History buffs likely have heard of “The Great Migration” of African Americans from the Jim Crow South into the Northeast and Midwest between 1916 and 1970. But many aren’t aware that migration also included Arizona and the West.
More Arizona History Stories
Feb. 22, 2021
Arizona's flag
Arizona Statehood Day is Feb. 14 — this year will mark Arizona’s 109th as a state. And things were, as you might imagine, a lot different around this time in 1912 than they are today. In 1912, there were 16 daily newspapers published in Arizona and 46 weeklies; that was with a population of around 206,000.
Q&AZ: What Headlines Were In Newspapers In 1912 Besides Statehood?
Feb. 12, 2021
Scott Nelson's air raid siren.
To Midwestern transplants, the sound signifies an impending tornado. But to Phoenix natives, the wail of one of Maricopa County's old civil defense sirens just meant it was noon on Saturday. Collectors — and Midwestern towns — are now giving Phoenix's once-loud warning system a new life.
Oct. 19, 2020
The archive of photos negatives inside
Photographer Robert Markow died in 2009, but he was considered by many to be the gold standard of photographers. Known as the “Dean of Arizona Photographers” by his peers, Markow photographed almost everything and everyone in post-war Arizona. Now, his son, Paul Markow, is trying to preserve his father’s photographic legacy.
Video: Go Inside The Vault
Aug. 6, 2020
A mural at Mercado de Guadalupe
You’ve probably heard of the town of Guadalupe: the tiny community wedged between Interstate 10 and the city of Tempe. And if you’ve never visited, you’ve most likely zoomed past it. KJZZ's Kathy Ritchie takes us to Guadalupe, where she met several community members. They talked to her about the pride they feel about their community, their culture and their hope for the future.
Hear More Untold Arizona Stories
Feb. 13, 2020
Clay Greathouse
How can you live a frontier lifestyle long after the frontier has closed? In 2020, it involves solar panels, composting toilets, and rainwater harvesting. Those are hallmarks of the “off-grid” lifestyle, which allows a homeowner to separate from the electric, water, and even food grid and provide for him or herself.
Hear More Untold Arizona Stories
Feb. 13, 2020

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