Arizona History

Newborn baby girl sleeping in a maternity ward at a hospital
As 2022 comes to a close, we look back on the most popular baby names, as released by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Things have changed a lot since Jacob and Jessica topped the list.
Dec. 26, 2022
Archaeologist Jupiter Martinez oversees the effort to protect and restore the Cocóspera Mission
At an aging mission in northern Sonora, each passing year brings more damage to an invaluable historic site. There have been many attempts to protect what remains, but some involved say the current effort is the most promising to date.
Dec. 21, 2022
Coming up on this Season 8-ender of Word, we go on a show bender with highlights spanning the entire run-of-show from where it started on the island of Guam in 2016 until now.
Dec. 11, 2022
Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building
During the pandemic, a lot of businesses re-imagined themselves. But historians were also affected by the pandemic. Much of their work is done in libraries and archives, places where lockdowns didn’t get a lot of publicity.
Dec. 9, 2022
thick-billed parrot
It turns out, parrots aren't only found in rainforests or on a pirate's shoulder — at one time, they were native to Arizona, too.
Dec. 8, 2022
Illustration of Zonawood, a Hollywood sign on South Mountain over a view of downtown Phoenix
Arizona has a rich history of film and TV production from iconic westerns to famous horror movies—and even music videos. New tax incentives set to kick in next year promise to help expand on the history of filming in Arizona by securing the future of the state as a destination for the movie and TV industry outside of LA.
More Arizona business news
Dec. 6, 2022
Douglas Municipal Airport
Arizona's first international airport wasn't in Phoenix or Tucson, but near the southern border in Douglas. And preservationists like Cindy Hayostek are working to ensure it sticks around.
Nov. 28, 2022
the vintage sign for the kiva lodge
Preservationists in Mesa are trying to save a building slated for demolition. The Kiva Lodge is expected to be torn down to make way for an affordable housing project, but advocates are trying to convince the new property owners to keep it standing.
Nov. 15, 2022
a water map by jen urso
Artist Jen Urso is taking this year's Canal Convergence into virtual reality with her latest project, "What Grows Here." It’s an interactive, layered map that shows more than 1,000 years of water use in the Scottsdale area.
Nov. 9, 2022
steve schumacher
The city of Phoenix now has its first official historian — Steve Schumacher. And he hopes to bring both old and new stories to light.
Nov. 7, 2022
Shoofly Village
The Friends of Tonto National Forest work on a variety of projects, from invasive species to spring restoration. The group hopes to upgrade an archeological site near Payson.
Oct. 26, 2022
Barbecue_title_page-2022
What do outlaws, dysfunctional family outings and a Scottish bookstore have in common? Find out on this episode of Word. It's a KJZZ podcasted hosted by Tom Maxedon.
Oct. 23, 2022
an ad in the Oct. 23, 1914 edition of the Parker Post advertising a nonpartisan dance
As The Show is kicking off its election coverage, take a look back at how elections were covered during the first decade of Arizona's statehood.
Oct. 10, 2022
Memorial Hall is located at Steele Indian School Park
In honor of Native American Recognition Days, several events will take place Saturday in Phoenix. A parade will begin near Steele Indian School Park. Special programming will take place at the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center and, right next door, an event to mark the 100th anniversary of the school’s Memorial Hall.
Oct. 6, 2022
Danelle Plaza historic marketing
Tempe's Danelle Plaza could be getting a makeover. Danelle Plaza at Southern and Mill avenues has seen better days, but the inside-out strip mall that once housed a skate park has also played a key role in the city’s live music and art scenes, which some say has helped build the city’s local identity.
Oct. 4, 2022
An ad from an old Arizona newspaper advertising clothing designed to combat heat
Arizonans haven't always had air conditioning to beat the desert heat. The Show spoke with Chris Reid of the Pinal County Historical Society to learn how early Arizonans handled the scorching temperatures.
Sep. 15, 2022
montezuma well
Most Arizonans have heard of Montezuma Castle, but there's a little-known oasis just down the road from it: Montezuma Well.
Sep. 12, 2022
The front page of the Arizona Republican on July 6, 1911
Despite all the attributes of being the country’s fifth largest metropolis, what Phoenix is really known for is the heat. The Show series Hot Town explores the Valley's hotness in all its forms. The Hot Town series starts with a look back at Phoenix's heat history.
More Arizona history stories
Sep. 6, 2022
route 66 women cast
A documentary, "Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road," examines how women navigated segregation and gender discrimination to build lives for themselves along America's most famous highway.
Sep. 6, 2022
Navajo Code Talkers
Aug. 14 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Navajo Code. This year, that day will also mark the groundbreaking for the first national Navajo Code Talkers museum in New Mexico.
Aug. 12, 2022

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