Paul Markow Professional Photographer guest speaker February 2024

 Insightful visions of 1950-1970 Phoenix were presented by professional photographer Paul Markow at our February Historical League meeting. He was there to capture so many faces and times. With his dry wit, his commentary on each photo made you feel like you were part of the moment.

Staying for lunch after his presentation, Paul visited with League members and turns out he knew some of them and their families.

Frank Barrios guest speaker

Fascinating talk about Pioneer Cemetery in Phoenix. Frank is a wealth of information about early Arizona. His presentation at the Historical League April meeting kept us spellbound while we learned who is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery, who was unearthed and moved to another cemetery and the background to the stories.

We presented him with our new Centennial book but he already purchased it. Arizona Recollections and Reflections is getting to be more well known, a good read and wonderful reference book.

Early Phoenix by Kathleen Garcia

League members were treated to a presentation of photos by Kathleen Garcia from her book Early Phoenix. As photos of buildings were displayed, Kathleen talked about their locations and what was now located in their place. Sadly, too many wonderfully-constructed houses have been knocked down in the name of progress.

Most amazing fact to me? Jack Swilling, who came to AZ following the Civil War, saw the potential in the ancient Hohokam canals that ran through the Valley. He raised $10,000 in 1867 and organized a company to bring water to the desert. Wow. How much would that be in today's dollars?

Kathleen had her book for sale and donated $5 of every purchase to the League. She is on the right in the picture with Programs Chair Kathleen Fischer.

Guest Speaker Kathleen Garcia

HISTORICAL LEAGUE PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

Join author, Kathleen Garcia, as she talks about Phoenix from the 1870's to the 1920's. We will be taken on a pictorial tour of Washington Street and Center (Central) Avenue. The program will show how Washington and Central changed during these 50 years.

Kathleen has an MA in Southwest and Arizona History and has worked at the Phoenix Public Library for 22 years, the last 15 in the Arizona History Room. Autographed copies of "Early Phoenix" will be available for purchase at the meeting.