Tempe History Society

It seems not a day goes by when we lose another historic asset. This time it is Watson's Flowers -- a unique business that straddled two cities. Soon, it will be gone. But two pieces of its past will be saved.
Our friend and local historian Jay Mark reveals its history and fate.

Just a reminder that today's Lunch Talk will be held in the Desert Willow Room at the Tempe Public Library. Due to the change of location we will not be live streaming this talk. We'll be back with live streaming in April. Thanks!

The Tempe History Society is pleased to announce the 2024 Tempe Legends! Please join us at a gala reception to celebrate on Saturday, April 13, 6-8p.m. Tickets available through Eventbrite: https://thslegendsgala.eventbrite.com

For more than a half-century, the THS has been committed to preserving and sharing Tempe History. The Society is led by a talented board dedicated to supporting and working with the Museum. If you've ever wondered who is the Society's board, the Arizona Republic recently featured Dr. Christine Marin, our current president. Building on her work at ASU, Chris has brought her knowledge and enthusiasm . for telling the Hispanic history of Tempe.
We are thrilled to see her featured for all of Arizona to see.

How a kid from an Arizona mining town went on to create a historic Latino archive ASU The founder of the Chicano/a Research Collection and Archives began her journey with ASU ever since she was a freshman on campus.

Imagine, if you will, that the Valley landmarks featured in this article were no long here. What backgrounds would filmmakers use? With the exception of the State Capitol, each of these landmarks were once threatened.
That's why we owe appreciation to those who have spent decades actively working to preserve important historic landmarks.
And that's why the THS continues fighting for at-risk landmarks in Tempe, and supports the continuing campaign to save the Buckhorn Baths and the Kiva Motel in Mesa.
If you appreciate our past, we hope you will join our ongoing efforts.

When the Diving Lady crashed to the ground in a violent storm in October 2010, many thought a highlight of the neon era was lost forever. Thanks to community contributions and in-kind support, our friends at the Mesa Preservation Foundation helped get her restored, and returned to her former glory atop a nearly 70' pole.
Her revival created a renewed interest in the art and heyday of roadside neon.
Now the Tempe History Museum has debuted an exhibit -- Tempe Signs, celebrating signs long past. And even though she resides in Mesa, a wonderful photo of the Diving Lady by Doug Towne pays homage to the lady that started it all.

From your friends at the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, a wonderful 4th of July. A time to reflect on ho we came to be. And why it's so important preserve our psst.
If you have ever wondered how early Tempe residents celebrated the 4th, historian Jay Mark has the answer:
Everyone loves a holiday. For most, it means time off from the daily grind. Maybe that’s why the July 4th holiday is so popular:
We know Americans love holidays. Of the dozens observances each year, ten are designated Federal in which government employees, and others, get a day off.

Some holidays are serious and reflective. Some are celebratory.

Independence Day (it’s official name) represents America’s quintessential festive occasion.

In Arizona it has always taken something pretty spectacular to get Valley residents out into the withering July heat. It’s hard to imagine how anyone would have much energy for outdoor celebration in the days before air conditioning,

Except maybe when it came to fireworks.

Judging by how many we shoot off each year, you’ve got to think the ancient Chinese invented the colorful and noisy rockets just for our 4th of July.

Even years ago fireworks would always bring out big crowds. From the very beginning Tempe residents knew they had the ideal platform from which to launch their Independence Day activities.

Rising more than 300 feet above town, Tempe Butte could be seen for miles. And so could fireworks. We are a bit uncertain when fireworks first lit up the sky from the Butte’s towering height – but it probably was from the earliest settlement days.

We do know as far back as 1879, when Tempe was less that a decade old, there were enough enthusiasts in the village to take a stab at putting on a darn good 4th of July celebration.

But as accounts explained, they were insufficiently experienced in the perilous handling of pyrotechnics.

John Myers Myers chronicled the calamitous event in his 1957 telling of the Story of Tempe: “This was a sensation, if not at all points a success. Having prospered so that such luxuries could be afforded, the citizens of Tempe had agreed to stage a bang-up fireworks display, glorified with big expensive pieces like the American flag, a portrait of George Washington, and so on…

“Preliminary celebrations of one sort or an other had been going on since morning, and the men entrusted with the fireworks were well tanked before they jackassed the explosives up the butte…but they made it and started a bonfire designed to give them the light for their patriotic efforts.”

From there things went awry.

Myers Myers continues, “Nobody was afterward quite clear as to what happened…At all events there were loud explosions, the yells of men scrambling for cover and skyrockets going every place but up in the sky…and the scandalized audience watching from below the butte, saw the Father of His Country standing on his head.”

In the intervening years the Butte has staged countless pyrotechnic displays. And I am happy to report over time those involved with launching these spectacles have gained immeasurably greater skill and confidence in their abilities to safely conduct their light shows.

Please be advised the website is back up and running. If you did not receive the June newsletter via email, you can view some of the information on the "Stories" page of the THS website www.tempehistory.org. If you would like to see the entire newsletter, please drop us a note at [email protected].

Thanks again for your patience and understanding.

For those of you who had problems logging into the Tempe History Society website, please bear with us. We are having technical issues with our provider. We hope to have the problem corrected in a timely manner. In the meantime, please keep checking the THS page for any updates and/or changes. Thanks for your understanding.

That's a wrap! The 2022-2023 season of Lunch Talks may be over, but you can mark your calendars for our next series that will kick off on September 13! Please join us for another season of entertaining and informative talks. We'll see you in the fall!

Happy New Year! Or as they say in France, "Bonne Annee." Now that we are in the 23rd year of the 21st century, our history has advanced by another tick. And it becomes more important that we work harder than ever to preserve what little we have left. That's the mission of the Tempe History Society. We remain committed to being the voice for the history can't speak. With your help, and support we will make 2023 the year of keeping history alive in Tempe.

From your friends at the Tempe History Society, we wish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful holiday. As we approach 2023, we remain committed to being the leading advocate for the preservation of our precious past.
We feel privileged to work with the Tempe History Museum to help tell Tempe's story.
With your help and support, we will continue to be the champion for Tempe's past.
Happy holidays!.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Tree Of Lights program, honoring those friends, loved ones, or family members, Veterans and non-Vets, with an ornament on one of our two trees located in the lobby of the Tempe History Museum.

It's that time of year. Fall, finally! That signals cooling temperatures, colorful falling leaves, and ghosts and goblins. Did you ever wonder what history lies within the walls of downtown's oldest structures.?
You might be surprised. As was our friends over at the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation when it began looking into the history. You can find out what they learned during the first-ever Chasing Ghosts Down Mill Avenue guided tours.
Missing it might be a "grave" mistake that leads to "deadly" consequences.

https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/tempe-history-museum/events/lunch-talks

Tempe History Society Lunch Talks | City of Tempe, AZ Tempe History Museum Events: Tempe Historical Society Lunch Talk

If you are a history buff, then you are also a preservationist. Every day we advocate for ever diminishing historic resources. But, what about places that no longer exist? For most, there is an intrigue around Arizona ghost towns. How did communities start? Why did they shut down? Are they haunted, as the name implies?

“Specters of the Past – Ghost Towns That Built Arizona,” explores the captivating stories of these fascinating places. Jay Mark, longtime friend of the Tempe History Society, and whom you've seen introducing our Lunch Talks will be giving this entertaining presentation at the Tempe Public Library, June 5 at 2pm in program room A.

A special part of the show is an introduction to a long disappeared, but important piece of Tempe history. But you have to attend to find out.

The program is presented free by the Tempe Public Library and the Arizona Humanities Council. Register for free at https://tempepubliclibrary.libnet.info/events

For more than four decades Mary Ann Kwiloscz has given unparalleled service to the Tempe History Society. She held nearly every leadership position that allowed her to help build the Society into the great organization that it is today. Her handprints have left lasting impressions that will forever be reminders of just how much she has meant to the Society.
After so many decades of service, Mary Ann recently announced her retirement. But we know she will always be close at hand.
For those many years of contributions, Mary Ann was recognized Saturday with the City of Tempe Arts & Cultural Award as a valued Cultural Connector.
We are happy to share these photos from the well attended event.