Old Adobe Mission, Scottsdale for May Tour

 The Old Adobe Mission Tour sold out quickly. Thanks to organizer Lynn Wood with Katie Tovar taking pictures.

The Mission originated as Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church and built by hand by the Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale in the late 1910s. It was designed by Robert T. Evans in a Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style similar to others he had seen in Sonora and New Mexico.

More than 14,000 adobe bricks were used for the construction. They were each made from a blend of native clay, silt, sand, straw, dung, and water. They weighed 50 pounds and were carried and placed by hand.

1931: The Mexican community begins to collect donations to build a new church

1932: The church is named Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Mission

1933: The church is completed

1940s: The wooden box altar used by visiting priests is replaced with an altar from All Saints Church in Tucson

1949: The church becomes a parish on November 25

1950s: Guadalupe and Miguel Dominguez donate a hand-carved statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

1952: Rev. Eugene Maguire is named the second pastor

1953: The community celebrates the Miracle of the Roses pageant with a parade and a play recreating the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in Mexico on December 13, 1531. Over 7,000 people, including governors and ambassadors, attended the annual festivities

1956: To accommodate a growing parish, a larger church and school are opened at 2nd Street and Miller Road

1957: The original church is used by various organizations, including Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, and catechism classes

1967: The last Miracle of the Roses is held by the Mexican community

1977: The original church is leased to the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra

Olive Mill Tour

Olive oil, anyone? We had a very educational tour of Olive Mill on Thursday, March 16. Historical League member Katie Tovar remarked, "We had a class called Olive Oil 101. We started outside and our guide, Wolfgang, gave us basics about the groves and trees.

Then we went inside to the actual mill where the olives are processed. We learned about the milling process and how to shop for the oil.

The part that impressed me the most was learning about the health benefits."

The marketplace was super busy. They sell everything you can imagine that is Olive related. There is even a line of beauty products. 

Thanks to Tour Chair Lynn Wood organizing another great trip for the Historical League. Thanks also to photographers Katie Tovar and Claire Nullmeyer for fun photos of the Olive Mill tour. Katie said they learned a lot, sharing photos of "some on their oldest olive trees. A tree must be at least 15 years old to start producing olives."

Margaret Baker, Susan Dale, President Chris Hackett

Talking Trash: tour of City of Phoenix North Gateway Transfer Station

Talking Trash: that's what 29 members and guests did on the tour of City of Phoenix trash facility. Thanks to Lynn Wood for organizing this tour with our guide Alicia Flores, who entertained us with stories. She educated us about the handling and process of recycling, separation of trash, distribution to their landfills. Also about the usage and resale of recycled recovery items as well as compost and paper shredded bundles.

The official name is North Gateway Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility on 30205 N. Black Canyon Hwy in Phoenix.

After the tour was lunch. Lynn Wood reflected, "Our luncheon gathering at Salt Taco Y Tequilla (Shops at Norterra) was a fun gathering and food was delicious."

Thanks to Bonnie Newhoff for these photos.

Desert Belle on Sahuaro Lake tour

 

Do you remember, before all the development, when Phoenix and surrounding areas were mostly desert? A trip to Sahuaro Lake will bring it all back. Thanks to Lynn Wood for organizing a very successful scenic trip Thursday on the Desert Belle at Sahuaro Lake.

As he piloted the boat, Captain John gave a well-educated talk sprinkled with humor remarking, “When I learned The Historical League was touring today, I made sure all my facts and stories were accurate.” True words as two of the most knowledgeable history members, Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter, were sitting up front!

Zona Lorig, Norma Jean Coulter with her granddaughter

Enjoying the view before boarding, Ruth McLeod, tour organizer Lynn Wood,

Sandy Loeffler, Mike Wood, Pat Christopherson

Not a bad seat in the house as we toured Saguaro Lake on the Desert Belle. With 27 League members on board there was a lot of conversation and laughter as we soaked in the beauty of nature. The rock walls towered over the calm lake. A big horn sheep was sighted and we searched the sky for eagles but none on this day

.

Tour organizer Lynn and Mike Wood with Bonnie Newhoff, Zona Lorig and
Norma Jean Coulter & granddaughter in row behind them

Pat Christopherson and Sandy Loeffler

Sue Eberle

Julie Moore, President Chris Hacket, Sharron McKinney

Mariamne Moore and Scott

Bonnie Newhoff pointed out the Four Peaks that she has climbed many times, shrouded in clouds today.

Nothing like wiping out while waterskiing in front of an audience. In this case a crowded cruise boat filled with Historical League members on Saguaro Lake. Notice he was not wearing a wet suit on a chilly day in November. But he got a round of applause and thumbs up.

The Upper Salt River ends here with the dam creating the Lower Salt. There is always something to learn on Historical League tours.

Susan Dale