History of the White Tank Mountains and the West Valley
Speaker: Karen Krause
Phoenix native, Karen Krause has lived in Waddell for 30 years. She has been researching the history of Waddell, Arizona, and the White Tank Mountains for the last 10 years and is a regular presenter of history programs at many west valley historical societies and community groups. Karen is the author of the “White Tank Mountains Field Guide” which has published a second edition.
Karen currently serves on the board of directors for the Litchfield Park Historical Society. The Society is raising $3.5 million dollars to repurpose Paul Litchfield’s historic home on the hill. The P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center will be home to a museum, archive, research library and a site for cultural gathering.
The White Tank Mountains are among the best conserved natural areas in the valley. This presentation documents the history of the area beginning with archaic western cultures about 100 AD. The modern history of the mountains begins in 1863, the year Arizona was made a Territory.
The White Tank Mountains were an important part of early Arizona history. You will hear the stories of the miners, freight haulers, ranchers, outlaws and farmers of the area, how the mountains got their name, and why the mountains ended up on every early map.
See you on Arizona Statehood Day- 110 years old.
Old photos from Karen:
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