By Parker Anderson

As one of the first pioneer settlers on the south rim of the Grand Canyon in the 1890s, Ralph Henry Cameron, in addition to his mining interests in the canyon, decided money could be made by catering to the new tourism trade as well. He constructed the Bright Angel Trail, charging a toll for its use and built a hotel on the rim. But he was soon under siege from two entities: the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad. They wanted a share in the tourist dollars as well. In addition, the U. S. government was looking into turning the Grand Canyon into a national monument, which would negatively impact his mining claims and tourist business.

By Parker Anderson

As we approach the 100th anniversary of Arizona's statehood, it's an apt time to remember a man who was at the forefront of the battle for statehood during its final years, but who is seldom (if ever) mentioned anymore in connection with the subject.

Ralph Henry Cameron was born in Southport, Maine, in 1863, the son of a fisherman. He became a fisherman himself as he grew to manhood, but apparently heard the "Go West, young man" call and, like many others before and after, set out across the plains.

By Edd Kellerman

Born in 1915, George Phippen was raised on farms in Iowa and Kansas and had no formal art education. As a youngster he modeled clay figures of animals, eventually working his way up to lifelike images of the ranch hands and cowboys who came through on the Chisholm Trail cattle drives. While serving in World War II, he taught himself to paint and, soon after the war, he briefly worked with artist Henry Balink in Santa Fe, N. M. As he began to work in oil and watercolor, art became his life.

By Al Bates

Al Bates, local historian, has written several articles for Days Past (1999 and 2000) about the history of Fort Whipple. The following is the last of a two-part condensed and edited rendering of those articles by Kathy Krause.

In 1872, the original buildings and stockade of Fort Whipple were demolished and more permanent frame buildings were erected on higher ground about 70-feet above Granite Creek. The official guide to posts, camps and stations declared them to be excellent quarters "in all respects."

By Al Bates

Al Bates, local historian, has written articles for Days Past (1999 and 2000) about the history of Fort Whipple. The following is the first of a two-part condensed and edited rendering of those articles by Kathy Krause.

Fort Whipple was a U.S. Army post located originally in Val de Chino (Chino Valley) in December of 1863, moving in late May of 1864 to the banks of Granite Creek, on the site of the current Bob Stump Veterans' Administation (VA) Medical Center. The fort was moved in order to be nearer needed timber and the miner encampments a few miles south and west of the fort.

By Goodie Berquist

In 1921, Prescott was financially troubled and a group of white local businessmen decided to keep the annual Frontier Days Rodeo alive by staging a "Way Out West" show. They dressed up like cowboys and Indians using costumes, body paint and makeup. Their performance was such a success that the fictitious tribe, the Smoki, was born. In 1922, Sharlot Hall wrote a booklet titled "The Story of the Smoki People." The organization appealed to many Prescott residents who became affiliated in one way or another, and the yearly performances continued until 1990. Women and children also became involved.

by Jim Christopher

Just as all of the right conditions converged to create "The Perfect Storm" in the bestselling book and motion picture, a similar occurrence came about in Prescott in 1931. Grace Sparkes, the dynamic director of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce at that time, was interested in promoting tourism in Prescott to compensate for the slow economy of the Great Depression.

By Parker Anderson

The first legal hanging in Prescott's history is not remembered as an extraordinary affair. The people involved are not as colorful and legendary even though the event has been written about a number of times. In one of Arizona's beleaguered Mexican settlements just outside of Camp Verde, violence erupted at. . . .

By Kathy Krause

The thirty-six foot replica of the USS Arizona battleship, fondly called ZOE by the builders Cecil and Pat Gates, was put into dry dock at the end of 1991 after seven years, 6,700 water miles and 8,000 road miles.  Her mission had been to teach the history of our proud Navy, and especially to teach children about the sacrifices that were made to give us the freedoms we enjoy.

By Kathy Krause

Many of you in Prescott, Arizona had a real treat in mid-September at the "Best Fest" statehood celebration marking the beginning of the statewide centennial activities when, among many other wonderful sights, you came across the thirty-six foot replica of the USS Arizona BB-39 parked at the intersection of Goodwin and Montezuma streets.  The beautifully restored replica had been “missing in action” from about 1995 until 2005.  Few seemed to know its whereabouts; most did not notice or care.