Thursday, May 08, 2008

Historic Preservation Week activities in Willcox May 10

[Source: Ainslee Wittig, Arizona Range News] -- Historic Preservation Week activities will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2008 Wheels of Progress will be honored from noon to 2 p.m. at Big Tex Restaurant, located at 130 E. Maley, in Willcox, Ariz. Guest speakers are Gus and Marsha Arzberger, Arizona State Senators. Guest author will be William Kalt, a railroad historian, at 10 a.m. at the Willcox Historic Depot.

The grandson of a Tucson SP accountant, William Kalt, grew up in a proud pioneer Arizona family. History lessons began early for the career public educator, as relatives shared tales of the rough and tumble days of their youth. His story, "Epes Randolph: Railroad Man of the Southwest," won the society's James F. Elliot II award for the best article by a non-professional historian during 2006. Kalt captured oral histories of southern Arizona railroad men and women and did archival research across the southwest to complete his book Tucson Was a Railroad Town. Kalt will also sign books.

For more information contact the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society or Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center at 520-384-3971. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]