Historymaker John Driggs 1927- 2014

John Douglas Driggs passed away on December 11, 2014 at age 87. He was born in Douglas, Arizona, but the family soon moved to Phoenix where he graduated from North Phoenix High School. He served in the Navy in World War II, was a missionary for the LDS Church in New England, and then earned an undergraduate degree and MBA from Stanford University. For 35 years, he was employed as an executive at Western Savings and Loan, a business started by his family.

John served two terms as mayor of Phoenix and he believed his single biggest project was establishing the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. During his tenure as mayor, John organized the Phoenix Historical Society, making it a chapter of the Arizona Historical Society, now home to the Museum at Papago Park.

Historical preservation was a passion of John Driggs and under his leadership the Rosson House and Heritage Square in Phoenix were restored. His latest project was guiding the restoration of Tovrea Castle. 

In 2005, John was honored as a Historymaker. John was very supportive of the Historical League and participated in Historymaker presentations and events. John also served on the state board of the Arizona Historical Society.

His wife, Gail, five sons, nineteen grandchildren and seven great grand grandchildren, survive John.

Historymaker John Driggs gives us Green Corn Tamales

Green Corn Tamales was the recipe given us by Historymaker John Driggs for Tastes & Treasures cookbook. There is an interesting history behind the recipe. Apparently, John and his wife, Gail, had enjoyed Pancho's Patio restaurant on North Central Ave, above Camelback Road in the 1950's. They knew the owner Elma Van Zandt and she shared her recipe for Green Corn Tamales with them.

Sadly, Pancho's Patio is long gone but the wonderful food Elma created can still be enjoyed today. Recipe on page 128 of Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

It was a fun-filled evening with Historymakers Bill Shover and John Driggs at Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe on November 30. Bill, Valley Visionary and Civic Leader, had a 30 year career with The Arizona Republic and John was Mayor of Phoenix and is a Historic Preservationist. They have known each other for years and the stories they shared at Changing Hands were priceless. Both are featured in the Historical League's Tastes & Treasures cookbook and AZ Recollections and Reflections. The audience enjoyed the power point presentation from co-editors Zona Lorig, Ruth McLeod and Joan Robinson but they especially enjoyed the bantering between these two who are giants in Arizona Civic Arenas.

Changing Hands Bookstore presentation

We are very excited to present Tastes & Treasures Cookbook and AZ Recollections and Reflections to Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe. Historymakers John Driggs and Bill Shover, who are featured in our books, will also talk about their roles in the city of Phoenix history.

Mr. Driggs recipe for Green Corn Tamales is on page 128 of our cookbook. Interesting story on how he obtained this recipe from Mrs. Van Zandt's restaurant on Central Ave. Mr Shover will share some stories from his 40 year career with the AZ Republic and Nina Pulliam.

These two Historymakers continue to give their time and talent for the Valley and support the Centennial celebration.

As co-editors of the Centennial book, Zona Lorig, Ruth McLeod and Joan Robinson will do the presentation.

Tovrea Castle Tour

Who doesn't want to see this? An imposing sight from all around Phoenix and it is closed to the public. What a shame.




































Former Mayor and historic preservationist John Driggs is working tirelessly to have it opened and enjoyed. The Historical League got a very up close and personal look at the amazing construction and cactus gardens. We loved it. A sold out tour, we split into three groups. John Jacquemart, an extremely knowledgeable person (and author) of historic Phoenix, led my group. The pictures tell it all.

Jana Bommersbach reviews ARIZONA Recollections and Reflections

"You can't know Arizona unless you know her people. There's no better way to know her people than through the Historical League's Commemorative Book. It's a priceless contribution to the history of Arizona and offers hours and hours of wonderful stories about wonderful people." --Jana Bommersbach, journalist and author

Celebrate Arizona’s Centennial by turning 320 pages of history in this beautiful leather-bound 8.5”x 9.5” book!

Living when honored, first-person oral histories from these Arizona Historymakers serve as the basis for this collection of biographies and memories. Photographs, many from personal family albums, provide further glimpses into the lives of these men and women whose achievements have impacted Arizona’s record of events in such diverse areas as the arts, community service, politics, sports and entertainment.

Read the interesting stories of Historymakers such as Erma Bombeck, Eddie Basha, Adam Diaz, John Driggs, Barry Goldwater, Jerry Colangelo and Sandra Day O'Connor in this collections that will be great for your coffee table.

Contact RuthMcLeod@earthlink.net for more information or visit www.HistoricalLeague.org