Thanks for making time to listen to a few of my stories.
I have always been interested in American history but heading a children's charity and raising a family did not allow time. Upon retirement I spent several years re reading those history books that I had just read in school to pass the test. During these reads, I paid particular attention to record (for retelling) those interesting and informative stories my history teachers didn't have time to share.
I organized Santa Express Trains to the North Pole for 10 years during my tenure with the children's charity. This intensified my passion for trains which I had had from youth. Upon retirement, I continued feeding my train passion by riding most of Amtrak's trains, even serving as an Amtrak tour guide.
My train passion went through the roof when I learned Robert Todd Lincoln arguably set the record for riding the most miles on trains before age 25, and while Secretary of War he traveled by train to many military places out West, AND at age 55 replaced George Pullman as the CEO of nation's largest rail manufacturing company, the Pullman Palace Car Co. Robert serve as CEO for 11 years and then continue as chairman of the Board for another 14 years! He definitely became a railroad baron.
With this knowledge, I chose to become a Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor. I found only 2 books on Robert Todd Lincoln. Yet, these books contained valuable information and stories I found delight in sharing as his reenactor.
For information and stories about
Robert Todd Lincoln tap here Mary Todd Lincoln tap here
Ashley and John ... so good to meet and talk with you. Hope you enjoy these stories. Rusty
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University of Arizona (U of A)
&
Arizona State University (ASU)
Both these educational institutions were authorized by Arizona's Territorial Legislature in 1885, as University of Arizona and Tempe Normal School respectively. Tucson was awarded the university only after it failed to land the state capitol, the mental institution, and the state prison. With Arizona citizens calling for more teachers, there was more support for a teachers college.
However, education was far down on the list of priorities as evidenced by the popular response to more education:
"Whoever heard of a professor buying a drink?"
Until Tucson's first high school was established in 1908, the majority of students at the University of Arizona were high school students. The school's major focus was on agriculture and mining.
Old Main, the first building on campus, was located in a desert 3 miles from downtown Tucson thanks to the donation of two gamblers and a saloon owner. When asked why they didn't donate land in the downtown area, they replied that university students would have a negative effect on their business.
Starting in 1906, an electric streetcar began operating between downtown and the campus. Interestingly, the university's first female professor retired early to start a real estate company bought up land around the university for homes and businesses. She also invested in the streetcar company as it would bring potential buyers. Today, her foundation contributes about $1.5 million for educational purposes to the University and Tucson from rental properties.
University of Arizona (UofA)
Dr. Handy, U of A's first chancellor was killed in a gun fight after threatening any lawyer who dared defend his wife. Years later, U of A's first first female professor, Louise Marshall, shot and killed her husband.after he had attempted
to poison her.
University of Arizona
"A mine is a hole in the ground owned by a liar."
Mark Twain
U of A's legendary coach Pop McKale returned to his home state of Michigan thinking he had become a millionaire.
ASU EARLY YEARS
In 1918, the Phoenix area surpassed Tucson in population thus creating a need for a school closer than Tucson. The school, now with offerings in business and other disciplines, became Arizona State College in 1933.
Although the school technically qualified as a university and along with a substantial increase in enrollment after WWII, it remained Arizona State College until 1958.
The major roadblock to becoming a university was the Arizona legislature, dominated by University of Arizona alumni, who only wanted one state university. The college supporters were able to bypass the legislature when voters approved the proposition creating Arizona State University
Starting as a teachers school, it graduated to a college. However, due to University of Arizona and its alumni's opposition, Arizona State College, although qualifying for university status, stayed as a college in name for over 30 years. It became a university in 1958 -- in a most unusual way
"Dr. Gammage, I think you need a building to commemorate
Arizona State College becoming a full fledged university".
Frank Lloyd Wright
Harkin's Theaters, a major Valley movie theater chain
started on Mill Ave in Tempe.
Harkin's owner tells what happened one night
in the Mill Ave theater projection room.