March 2025
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L-R: Jason Song, Dr. Scott Menzel, Marshall Trimble, Mayor Lisa Borowsky, Joan Fudala and Winfield Scott (Bruce Wall) |
Scottsdale celebrated Winfield and Helen Scott for Founders Day on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in front of the Little Red Schoolhouse, 7333 E. Scottsdale Mall. The event is presented by the city of Scottsdale in partnership with the Scottsdale Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution Winfield Scott Chapter. We also celebrated the 115th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse that opened in 1910 as the Scottsdale Grammar School.
Scottsdale's community historian Joan Fudala was the mistress of ceremonies and welcomed the attendees and introduced our dignitaries. Scottsdale Historical Society President Jason Song announced the winners and first recipients of the Guardians of Scottsdale History Award. They are Lester and Labeula Mowry, JoAnn Mowry Handley, Eleanor Mowry Brierley, Diane Mowry Green and Becky Mowry.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky read the mayoral proclamation declaring the day as Founders Day in Scottsdale. Dr. Scott Menzel, the superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District, accepted the proclamation and said a few words about the value of education in Scottsdale.
Winfield Scott (Bruce Wall) made an appearance and looked pretty chipper for someone celebrating their 188th birthday the very next day. He spoke about his thoughts at the opening day ceremonies of the Little Red Schoolhouse on Feb. 26, 1910, which was his 73rd birthday.
The keynote address was by Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble. He talked about some notable events in Scottsdale history and then finished with a wonderful cowboy poem about a cowboy in a bank needing a loan. The poem left everyone chuckling.
Those in attendance were able to pick up a series of postcards showing the various uses of the Little Red Schoolhouse over the last 115 years.
Go see the latest displays at the Little Red Schoolhouse for more on Scottsdale history.
Save the date to hear Scottsdale Historian Joan Fudala
Our community historian will be presenting on Scottsdale history in April. Mark your calendar so you don't miss out.
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A librarian in the Old Adobe House which housed the Scottsdale Library in the 1950s. Some say they "cooked the books." |
Hometown Happy Hour: Let's Read! Scottsdale's Literary History at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, at the Mustang Library Auditorium. Join community historian and author Joan Fudala for a photo-rich browse through Scottsdale's literary history. Discover the authors, poets and playwrights who have lived and worked in Scottsdale. Hear about the Scottsdalians who have published memoirs, learn about a variety of non-fiction books with Scottsdale ties, and reflect on how the city's libraries and books stores have evolved with the times, from card-catalogued books to downloadable digital reads. Also, come and enjoy a beverage and a light snack before the presentation. More information.
Famous alumnus
Can you guess who is this famous alumnus of a Scottsdale high school?
This comedian graduated from a Scottsdale high school around 2012 and went to ASU before making a name for himself in comedy clubs around the country. He was cast as a featured player in a long-running sketch comedy show that is currently celebrating a big anniversary.
"Play Ball!" Nighttime Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium in SHC digital collection
Thanks to a donation from the Tourism and Events Department, the Scottsdale Heritage Connection recently added images of a nighttime spring training game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies from March 22, 2019. See brilliant sunset views of the stadium and Camelback Mountain in the background, the backs of Buster Posey and Evan Longoria, and the Valley's favorite vendor, Derrick "Lemonade Like Grandma Made" Moore. Search "nighttime spring training digital" in the Scottsdale Public Library catalog to view these images!
Scottsdale Stories & Sweets is part of June Days for the fourth year
Mark your calendars for Tuesdays in June as Scottsdale Stories & Sweets returns to June Days 2025. June Days is a celebration of Old Town Scottsdale with hundreds of events (many free or minimal cost) that you can do in June.
Scottsdale Stories & Sweets is a free event that begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in June at the Scottsdale Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. Have dinner before either at home or in one of our wonderful Old Town restaurants, then head to the Community Design Studio for dessert provided by the city of Scottsdale from an Old Town bakery or restaurant. Sit down in the air-conditioned comfort to hear storyteller Bruce Wall share tales of the early days of Scottsdale.
- June 3: The Pioneers Came to Scottsdale: Listen as our storyteller talks about the early days of Scottsdale. Why did the early settlers come to Scottsdale, who was the first to live here, what early Victorian house is still standing, and how Scottsdale got its name is just the start. Learn about the pioneers who moved here before running water, electricity, or flush toilets.
- June 10: The Pioneers Built Scottsdale: More stories of the early pioneers of Scottsdale who settled here before most modern conveniences were available. You'll hear about the first business on Main Street, our first businesswoman, Scottsdale's first incredible entrepreneur, and their legacy. We'll also explore the story of the family who donated the land that became Scottsdale High School.
- June 17: The Pioneers Shopped in Scottsdale: We'll learn where the early pioneers shopped in Old Town and the families that ran those businesses. There will be stories about the family that brought professional boxing and wrestling to Old Town, a Mexican Food restaurant that began after two brothers were denied service at a bar in another city, and a store in Old Town that started as a pool hall and a grocery store more than 100 years ago.
- June 24: Crimes in the Times of the Pioneers: The first homicide in Scottsdale was a double homicide in 1901, and the first "officer-involved shooting" happened in 1938. There's an amazing story behind both incidents. We'll also learn how the mail came from Phoenix to Scottsdale more than 125 years ago, why an Arizona high school has an unusual mascot, and how law enforcement kept Scottsdale residents safe before the creation of the Scottsdale Police Department in 1963.
Registration information for all June Days events will be available in May. More information.
The Merci Train Car storyboard installation celebrated
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Residents came out to see the dedication of the storyboards around the Merci Train Car at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park on Feb. 9. |
The Four Peaks Chapter 1207, Rio & Tonto Verde, Fountain Hills & Scottsdale Questers installed storyboards of the Merci Train Car at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road on Sunday, Feb. 9.
A grass roots effort of Americans found out the desolate conditions of many of the people of France and other allied countries after World War II. They sent over 700 box cars of goods for the people of Europe called The Friendship Train.
The train car at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park was the Arizona gift from the people of France to each state in the U.S. filled with French goods to say thank you, or merci. The train car was left in disrepair for years. A group of residents led by Zina Kuhn, French Consul Claude Prosnier, Arizona National Guard Commander Maj. General Donald Owens and Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater welcomed the car to Scottsdale. A fundraising drive led to the train car's complete restoration where it is proudly displayed at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It was dedicated on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 1989.
The next time you're at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, check out the storyboards around the Merci Train Car that tell the story in detail.
Answer to famous alumnus
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Photo credit: Saturday Night Live. |
Michael Longfellow was born and raised in Phoenix. He graduated from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale. He went on to earn a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University and began performing standup comedy.
He moved to Los Angeles and appeared on Netflix Is a Joke and Conan. In 2022, he joined the cast on Saturday Night Live in the 48th season. He's still on the show during its 50th season. The future seems bright for Michael Longfellow!
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