Arizona Skateparks

While this site is focused on Phoenix history and news, I thought that readers of this blog might enjoy a special feature about my recently-launched side project.

One hobby that I have always been drawn to is skateboarding. Arizona is home to a large number of free, public skateboard parks for riders to practice their skills.

The Jack Malmgren Skatepark in Sedona is one of more than 80 free skateparks in Arizona.

For more than 10 years, I have wanted to build a directory website that lists all of the skateparks in Arizona. While there are other skatepark directory sites, they are outdated and incomplete when it comes to hours, information, photos, and naming. Many of them rely on user-submitted information which is not consistent or checked for accuracy.

Over the years, there have been at least four prior occasions where I started and then stopped work on this project. In early 2021, I felt a burst of inspiration and enthusiasm for the skatepark website project. This time I pushed through and got the website up to a minimum viable product (MVP) version.

Currently there are 85 skateparks and BMX parks in Arizona that I have identified. While I do not yet have photos of each location, I wanted to get the website launched and then work on adding photos of the missing locations in a second phase.

This was a project that combined my different skill sets of website development, Arizona geography, and photography. It was really fun to work on and I am very proud of the new site!

If you or someone you know are looking for information on where to skate in Arizona, please visit www.arizonaskateparks.com for a comprehensive directory listing of Arizona Skateparks!

Tesla Motors Adds Supercharger Locations in Arizona

It wasn't very long ago that the idea of owning a pure electric car was a crazy dream. There were no mass-market manufacturers of electric vehicles and no infrastructure in place to support them. In just 11 years, Tesla Motors has changed all that.

The upstart company from California has become one of the biggest success stories not only in the automotive world, but in the business world. Backed by PayPal co-founder and billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla Motors has overcome many hurdles previously thought to be impossible.

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What is the Largest Casino in Arizona?

Did you know that Arizona is one of the leading states in the nation when it comes to Indian gaming?

It's true - Arizona is home to 22 different Native American tribes. While not all of them have casinos, many of them have found casino gaming provides a huge boost in revenues to their tribal members.

You may be wondering what is the largest casino in Arizona? Based on my own independent research, here's what I have found.

The Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, Arizona is the largest casino in Arizona. The 240,000 square foot facility opened in 2010 and is owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

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Great Bridges of Arizona

Anyone who comes to Arizona will quickly realize that ours is a state of contrasts. We have everything from sand dunes to desert scrub to the rocky Mogollon Rim and the vast, open spaces of northern Arizona.

Our diverse terrain makes for some interesting challenges when trying to build a system of roadways. As engineers overcome these challenges, they do more than just link our cities and towns together, they make some pretty cool bridges, too!

Here are some photos I have taken of great bridges in Arizona:

Burro Creek Bridge

 
The Burro Creek Bridge is a steel arch bridge located on US 93 north of Wickenburg. Built in 1965, it carries southbound traffic about 400 feet above the waters of Burro Creek. A second span was added parallel to the original in 2005.

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Apache Drive In Theater in Globe Closes Down

I am very sad to report that in September of 2013, the Apache Drive-In Theater in Globe, Arizona has closed permanently.

The single-screen theater opened in 1954 and has provided the residents of Globe (population: 7,457) with a place to enjoy movies under the stars for almost 60 years. The final showing was "American Graffiti" on September 28, 2013.

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Hillside Letters of Arizona

Have you ever noticed that lots of small towns in Arizona have the first letter of their city's name painted on a mountain? I have noticed these, and only recently did I discover that they have a name: hillside letters.

These hillside letters (or 'mountain monikers') are largely a western phenomenon. You won't find them east of the Mississippi River, but they are quite prevalent in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and even as far west as Texas. Not much is known about how or why the practice originated.

After scouring through my photo archives, it turns out that I have a number of these photos from around Arizona.

Here are some of Arizona's hillside letters that I have spotted:

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15 Historic Hotels in Arizona

When it comes to lodging, Arizona has some pretty unique hotels to choose from. Each of the ones on my list features a rich history that gives them character.

So without further ado, here is my list of 15 historic hotels in Arizona.

15. Hotel St. Michael

Opened in 1901 on the site of the former Hotel Burke (which burned down), the Hotel St. Michael quickly became the cornerstone of "Whiskey Row." The 3-story building was designed by D.W. Miller in the Second Renaissance Revival style.

The hotel has hosted many distinguished visitors including President Theodore Roosevelt, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain, Tom Mix, Zane Grey, and Senator Barry Goldwater.
(Description courtesy of Prescott Historical Society).

Opened: June 1, 1901
Address: 205 W Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301
Style: Second Renaissance Revival

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11 Historic Houses in Arizona

"A man's home is his castle" as the old saying goes. A home can also be a local landmark or an icon of a neighborhood in which it is located. 

Here is a list I have compiled of 11 historic houses in the great state of Arizona.

11. Douglas Mansion

The Douglas Mansion is located in Jerome, Arizona. Built in 1916 by James S. Douglas, this 8700 square-foot house features amenities such as electric lighting, polished concrete floors, and a central vacuum system. Today, this house is the headquarters for Jerome State Historic Park. Tours are available.

Year Built: 1916
Address: 100 Douglas Road, Jerome, AZ 86331
Style: Mission Revival

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6 Historic Courthouses in Arizona

While looking through my photo archives, I noticed that I have several pictures of historic courthouse buildings in Arizona. I haven't been to every county courthouse in Arizona, but I thought I would share with you the ones I have so far.

Built in 1928, the Maricopa County Courthouse is located at 125 W. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix. This Spanish Colonial Revival building was built to house both the county court and the city hall. It is still in use today by Maricopa County Superior Court.

Architect: Edward Neild (courthouse and exterior)
Contractor: Edwards, Wildey, and Dixon

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How to Properly Fly the Flag

During the summer months, there are a lot of holidays that celebrate veterans and those who served in the military. Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day come to mind. During this time of year, it is common for people to fly the flag at their home or place of business. But are they doing it right?

There is a code of rules that must be followed when flying the flag. 4 U.S.C. Section 4-10 dictates the following rules for handling and displaying the US Flag.

I must confess that the idea for this post came from a pamphlet I picked up at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. I think it's great that this restaurant reminds people how to fly the American flag properly.

So here's what you need to remember:

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Discovering Arizona's Point of Origin

Phoenix is a surprisingly easy city to navigate because it is built around a grid system. Roads with names run East and West while streets and avenues run North and South.

As it turns out, it's not just Phoenix that is divided up into a grid, but the whole state of Arizona! How did this system start, and where is the center of the grid? There's an interesting story behind all of this.

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Remembering Paolo Soleri: Visionary Architect

I am very sad to report that notable Italian architect and Arizona resident Paolo Soleri has passed away on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013.

He died of natural causes at the age of 93.

Paolo Soleri was more than just an architect, he was a creative thinker, an artist, a father, a husband, a writer, and so much more. It's a real shame that more people haven't heard of him.

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Aerial Photos of Arizona

Last month, my employer sent myself and some co-workers to Las Vegas to attend the Consumer Electronics Show, which is the largest trade show in North America. The flight from Phoenix to Las Vegas takes only 45 or 50 minutes, and my window seat afforded me some very unique photographic opportunities.

So without further ado, here are some aerial photos of Phoenix and Arizona that I took! Hope you enjoy them!

We took off from Sky Harbor facing east and then began to change course to Las Vegas. Out the window, you can clearly see the Loop 101 Pima Freeway as it passes through Scottsdale, AZ and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

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Arizona Celebrates Centennial - 100 Years of Statehood

It was on this historic day in 1912 that President William Howard Taft signed the papers to admit Arizona Territory as the 48th State of the United States of America. Today, one hundred years later, people all over the state are celebrating a century of statehood.

The Arizona Centennial Foundation has been hard at work promoting this special date all throughout the state for the past several months. They were also a major sponsor of the Arizona Best Fest, which took place this past weekend and featured a variety of exhibits, music, food, and attractions in honor of the state's history.

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Visit Arizona National Parks During Fee-Free Weekend 2011

It was two years ago that I first wrote about Fee-Free Days from the National Park Service. Now, the NPS is gearing up for another Fee-Free event on November 11th - 13th, 2011!

This year's final event will offer free admission to ALL US National Parks and Monuments during Veteran's Day weekend. The following list of parks and monuments in Arizona will not charge any admission during the aforementioned dates:

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Four Unique Hotels in Phoenix

One of the most unnerving parts of traveling is dealing with the unknown. When you have to visit a city for the first time, you don't know what to expect. You have to worry about the weather, finding your way around, where to eat, and of course finding a safe place to stay for the night. Fortunately, there is no shortage of world class hotels in Phoenix, AZ.

Whether you are visiting for business or for pleasure, here are four Phoenix hotels that I think really stand out from the crowd.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
If I had to sum this place up in just three words, it would be "The Crown Jewel." The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown has set a new standard for hotels that will be extremely hard to beat.

Since it opened in October 2008, the Sheraton has claimed the title of Arizona's Largest Hotel. With one-thousand rooms (47 of which are executive suites), it is absolutely gigantic. Besides being Phoenix's newest and largest hotel, it has also received the coveted Four Diamond Award from the Automobile Association of America.

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Top 10 Arizona Myths Busted

One of my favorite TV shows is Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel. On this highly entertaining show, the hosts set out to prove or disprove the truth behind popular myths and legends in the name of science. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the State of Arizona, so I thought it would be best to investigate what I feel are the Top 10 Myths About Arizona.

10. There's nothing to do in Arizona.
Just pick up a travel guide and you will discover how much more Arizona has to offer besides the Grand Canyon. The Mogollon Rim and Colorado Plateau regions of Arizona offer four full seasons of indoor and outdoor activities. If you're planning on visiting the Phoenix area, be sure to check out my list of 101 Things to Do in Phoenix. Whether you come to visit for a weekend or forever, there's no shortage of things to do here!

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More Arizona Facts, Figures, and Trivia

About a year and a half ago, I wrote about some Arizona trivia and little-known facts that I had found while researching articles. Since then, I have been collecting information for a follow-up post. So without further ado, here are some more interesting facts, figures, and trivia about Arizona that most people (including people who live here) may not know:

· Arizona is the only state with the letter "Z" in its name.

· The founder of the Lions Club, Melvin Jones, came from the very small town of Fort Thomas, Arizona.

· Phoenix is the largest American city without passenger rail service (Amtrak discontinued service to Phoenix in 1995).

· Arizona's Oldest Radio Station, KOY, has been on the air for 89 years.

· There is a minor planet orbiting the Sun named after the State of Arizona. It was discovered by Percival Lowell in 1907.

· The fountain in Fountain Hills, Arizona was the world's largest fountain for over a decade.

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Arizona Appliance Rebate Progam to Begin This Month

Last summer, the Federal Government passed the Car Allowance Rebate System ("CARS") act which gave car buyers a generous discount towards the purchase of a new vehicle when they traded in a less-efficient vehicle. The "Cash for Clunkers" program was such a wild success that its budget was depleted long before the program was scheduled to end, and as a result Congress had to approve additional funding. This year a similar rebate program has been announced, but this time it is for home appliances instead of cars! 
Yes, you read that correctly. The Arizona Appliance Rebate Program is scheduled to begin in late March 2010. This program will give individual consumers in Arizona an incentive to replace their older home appliances with more efficient Energy Star appliances. This program is backed by a $6.2 million dollar budget, which was awarded to the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office by the US Department of Energy.

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Happy 98th Birthday, Arizona!

Most people think of February 14th as a day of roses and chocolate for their special someone, but it's also special day for Arizonans. On this day in 1912, President Taft signed the Arizona Statehood Act which admitted the Arizona Territory as the 48th state to join the United States of America.

The history of how Arizona became the 48th state is pretty interesting. The Arizona Republic [article no longer available] says that Arizona was originally supposed to become a state on February 12th in honor of Lincoln's birthday, but President Taft had to delay signing the bill because of a trip to New York.

The Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records website tells a different tale. According to their article The Road to Statehood, President Taft initially refused to sign the Arizona Statehood Act because of a clause in the state's constitution about permitting the recall of judges. With the clause removed, the president then signed the bill into law.

Once Arizona was officially a state, an election was held and the clause about permitting the recall of judges was added to the State Constitution anyway! Talk about sticking it to the man!

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