By Worcester P. Bong

Today aerial tramways make it possible to soar above the terrain in a tram/cable car or chairlift. Before tramways carried people, they were used in the mining industry to transport ore quickly and economically over rugged, inaccessible terrain.
 

The concept of aerial tramways began in the early 1700s, but the European introduction of wire rope in the 1830s led to increased development and use. Wire rope is several strands of steel wire twisted to form a cable. Due to lighter weight and strength, it soon replaced hemp rope in many applications, including mining. Although numerous aerial tramways for mining were built worldwide, it wasn’t until after the Civil War that their U.S. construction expanded.
 

By Dan Bergan

In 1952 George bought his own house on nine acres on Meadowridge Road, moving his log studio to the site. It would serve as his studio for seven years during which his artistic production, reputation and fame grew. Son Darrell Phippen, born in 1954, noted “the huge change in dad. His art work blossomed.” George was now illustrating for major magazine publishers, producing covers and story illustrations for True West and Frontier Times, among others.

By Dan Bergan

With a wisp of imagination, he is there. His paint palette laid out on the work table, paint brushes standing upright in a jar, cowboy hat atilt on his head, smiling slightly as he fingers a small clay model of a steer, George Phippen has come home to the rough-hewn studio he built himself, home to the museum that bears his name and legacy.

Oral History
Interviewee:   William "Bill" G. Neely  (b.  06/24/1933 - d. 04/15/2020) and Jack Orr (b. 06/14/1938 - d. xx/xx/xxxx)
Interviewer:  Sylvia Neely 
Audio Number:   1615
Duration:  00:52:01
Date:  June 26, 2015 
Topics Discussed:  Indian Fire - Forest Service Fire Control and Service Tanker Base Operation 

Oral History
Interviewee:  Marie (Anfinson) Watson (b. 06/06/1945 - d. xx/xx/xxxx) 
Interviewer:  Sylvia Neely 
Audio Number:  1618
Duration:  00:59:14
Date:  November 3, 2015 
Topics Discussed:  Watson's personal and family history, memories as the City Clerk of Prescott in the 1970s. 

Oral History
Interviewee:   Steven "Steve"  Walker (b. 06/02/1954 - d. xx/xx/xxxx)
Interviewer:  Sylvia Neely
Audio Number:  1624
Duration:  00:44:39
Date:  August 26, 2016
Topics Discussed:  Job experience at Yavapai College 

Oral History
Interviewee:  Deborah "Deb" Elizabeth (Templin) Walker
Interviewer:  Sylvia Neely 
Audio Number:  1617
Duration:  01:01:36
Date:  August 10, 2015 
Topics Discussed:  Templin family history, Prescott in the 1950s, Prescott schools

Oral History
Interviewee:  Helen C. (Henderson) Cain
Interviewer:  Sylvia Neely
Audio Number: 1616
Duration:  1:01:30
Date:  May 27, 2014
Topics Discussed:  Ester & Perry Henderson family; early life in Humboldt & Dewey, Arizona;  ranching life and ranch history

By Bob Baker

In the early 1800s, Yavapai and Apache Indians inhabited the wilderness that became the Arizona Territory. Only a few frontiersmen dared travel there to trap beaver, hunt game and explore the area. Perhaps the earliest of them was Pauline Weaver.

When Weaver arrived in Arizona in 1830 from California, he had traveled all over California trapping beaver and trading with Indian tribes. While he was primarily a trapper, he was also a prospector who recognized “pay dirt” (gold deposits), having discovered several placer gold deposits in California.

By Eric Jacobsen

The Millers had ongoing struggles with Kels Nickell, a sheep farmer accused by the Millers of letting his sheep graze on their Wyoming land. On July 18, 1901, Willie Nickell, the fourteen-year-old son of Kels, was found murdered on the Nickell land. An investigation followed while the range violence continued.

In August 1901, Kels Nickell was shot and nearly eighty of his sheep were killed. Deputy U.S. Marshal Joe LeFors arrested Jim Miller and his sons for the crime, although bail freed them the next day.