Dr. Carlos Montezuma, 2004 Inductee ( 1866-1923) Stolen by the Pimas as a young boy, he was sold for 30 silver dollars a few days later to Carlo Gentile, a traveling Italian photographer. Gentile later adopted him and named him Carlos Montezuma. He became the first Yavapai medical doctor and practiced in Chicago. He gained […]
Bessie Mike, 2004 Inductee This legendary basketweaver has baskets in the Smithsonian, at Balboa Park Museum, private collections and the River of Time Museum. Bessie at work in her yard was a familiar sight to those traveling along Fort McDowell Road. She was born in Ray, Ariz., on June 15, 1910. Six months later, she […]
Marian McQuiston, 2004 Inductee A true Fountain Hills pioneer, Mrs. McQuiston is credited with being the founder of the Fountain Hills Library. As the manager of the community’s contract post office (she was known as Fountain Hills “first postmistress”), she left her mark on the town’s history by starting a book exchange at the post […]
Keith McMahan, 2004 Inductee (1929-2009) A promotion specialist, Mr. McMahan worked in advertising and marketing in Los Angeles before coming to Arizona for McCulloch Properties, Inc. He helped create many of the national ads promoting McCulloch’s “Fly to Arizona” flight program which brought in buyers from around the country. He moved to Fountain Hills in […]
Robert McCulloch, Sr., 2004 Inductee An engineering innovator, visionary, industrialist and entrepreneur, Mr. McCulloch built his successful manufacturing operations in Los Angeles on small engine products such as outboard motors, portable gas-powered chain saws and military target drones. Searching for a fresh water place to test his outboard motors, he found Lake Havasu on the […]
Robert Mason, 2004 Inductee Robert and Dottie Mason moved to Rio Verde in 1983. Bob became active in an archaeology club, taking extension classes from ASU, then excavating at five sites. He has led 118 hikes for residents of the Verdes and others, also speaking to civic and historical groups about the Verde River Valley. […]
Clarence Lund, 2004 Inductee Known for his dynamic personality and enthusiasm for Fountain Hills activities during its early days, Mr. Lund was a senior vice president of J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. He and wife Helen retired here in 1974, built one of the first homes […]
Aggie Kramer, 2004 Inductee Aggie and Darwin Kramer came to Rio Verde in 1975 when the development was beginning. Darwin was a sales manager and Aggie the Activities Director. She was also a one-woman Chamber of Commerce as she started the first newsletter, picked up visitors at the airport, organized picnics along the Verde […]
Gilbert Jones, 2004 Inductee A true leader working to improve the lives of his people at Fort McDowell, Mr. Jones served many years on the tribal council including several terms as president.He also worked as the Director of Tribal Housing Authority. A decorated U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Way, he was a member of […]
Frank Harrison, 2004 Inductee At the time of his death, Mr. Harrison was a most respected elder at Fort McDowell. He was a plaintiff in a historic lawsuit in 1948, Harrison vs. Laveen, that won American Indians the right to vote in Arizona. Though American Indians were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924, Arizona and New […]