On February 14, 2012, Arizona will celebrate its 100 years of statehood. Many events are being planned by the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation. The Arizona Historical Advisory Commission has designated over 130 official Centennial Legacy Projects including our US Route 89 project. The goal of these projects is not only to highlight the last 100 years of the state’s history but to also to leave a record for the future.
US Route 89 was the original north/south road connecting nearly all the major towns and cities of Arizona from its designation as a federal highway in 1926 until part of it was decommissioned in 1992. The main commercial street of the following towns was Route 89: Nogales, Tucson, Florence, Apache Junction, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Wickenburg, Yarnell, Prescott, Ash Fork, Williams, Flagstaff and Page. Alternate Route 89 from Prescott to Flagstaff passed through Jerome, Clarkdale, Cottonwood and Sedona and is one of the most scenic drives in the state. US 89 could fairly be called the Main Street of Arizona.
Many of these towns have created Legacy Projects. Over the next few months we will be connecting with them to bring you more information about their activities. Here is a sampling of a few of the projects:
- Williams-Arizona State Railroad Museum being developed to depict the history of railroads in the state
- Tucson-Centennial Park with historic interpretive displays adjacent to Presidio San Augustin and the Tucson Museum of Art
- Peoria-Centennial Plaza
- Flagstaff-Centennial Walk, a section of the Urban Trail System with a mural along the walkway depicting 100 years of Flagstaff history
- Clarkdale-Copper Art Museum housed in the former Clarkdale High School built in 1928 will showcase unique copper art from around the world
- Jerome-the town library and the Historical Society will mount an exhibit showing the evolving culture of Jerome and historic use of important buildings
For an introduction to Centennial activities, view this interview on KAET’s Horizon with Karen Churchard, Director of the Centennial Commission, and Catherine May, Vice President of the Historic Advisory Council.
Here is a complete list of all of the Arizona Centennial Legacy Projects.
