Arizona History

For Valley true crime fans, the story of Winnie Ruth Judd, aka “The Trunk Murderess," is Phoenix’s claim to infamy. But now, Laurie Notaro, author of “The Murderess,” has a different version of the story to tell.

If you’ve driven at all around the Valley, you’ve likely seen breeze blocks — decorative concrete blocks in front of or on the sides of homes and other buildings. Phoenix is one of just a few places where you can find them, but they’re not only aesthetic.

In 1992, voters in what was then a much more deeply red state delivered a resounding defeat to a measure that would have banned most abortions in Arizona.

It's time to visit the Hermosa Inn in Paradise. Specifically, a room that looks like a library, filled with the paintings of Lon Megargee. If his first name sounds familiar — he’s the Lon for whom the resort’s restaurant is named.

For more on the Arizona Cardinals’ long, bumpy road to Arizona, The Show spoke with Joe Ziemba, author of books on football history.

Ace Bailey is president of Ultimate Art and Cultural Tours and a part-time concierge at the Hotel Valley Ho. The Show's Mark Brodie joined her on a recent tour to see the midcentury modern resort and learn more about its history.

Researcher Courtney Lamb wrote about the early days of zoos for this summer’s edition of the Journal of Arizona History, told The Show's Sam Dingman more.

Step back into the 20th century, when a stretch of Van Buren Street was the place to stay. At its peak, my next guest says there were up to 200 hotels and motels, mostly clustered between 16th and 40th streets — although they could go as far east as 52nd Street and as far west as about 11th Avenue.

In the series Last Resorts, The Show is looking at the history and future of resorts, and the Valley as a resort community. Visit some of the Valley’s oldest and newest resorts. Hear how they’ve impacted the region — from art and architecture, to how people all over the world view the West.

Through KZZ's Q&AZ reporting project, a listener asked: “What is the history of the abandoned restaurant at the top of Shaw Butte?”