This Week in Wickenburg History

Another new business (Thursday, Aug. 31, 1978) The Star C drive-through food and liquor market in downtown Wickenburg just opened for business. It’s on the site of the old Union 76 station that existed for many years at Jack Burden Road and East Center Street. Lew Churchill is the owner, and Sheryl Perkins is the manager.

70 years ago

Grand opening of Jones Drug Saturday (Friday, Sept. 2, 1938)

In keeping with their original idea of providing Wickenburg with a modern, up-to-date drug store, efficient to handle the full line of standard drug store merchandise, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Jones have announced the grand opening of their new drug store Saturday (Sept. 3).

The black glass front of the store immediately calls attention to the outside of the building, the window displays, etc.

On the inside, the modern soda fountain invites visitors to try an ice cream soda.

In the rear of the store, the prescription department is prepared to serve customers at any time.

The new store was designed by Russell Johnson, and local labor was used.

60 years ago

Ryan-Evans Drug remodeling opens to public (Friday, Aug. 27, 1948)

Filled to the brim with prizes and free gifts plus a countless number of “special” bargains, Ryan-Evans’ remodeled drug store here will hold its gala formal opening Saturday, Aug. 28.

Climax to the big event will be a radio program originating from the store. Announcer Howard Pyle will be on deck at 8:30 p.m. Saturday to cover the event for a projected re-broadcast Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m. on Phoenix radio station KTAR.

Manager Ed Walker will display the new “Westernized” motif with his soda fountain, paneled walls, rugged exterior and authentic brands of the entire region to be burned into the walls.

50 years ago

Teaching staff of high school now completed (Friday, Aug. 29, 1958)

Faculty and staff of Wickenburg High School is complete and has been announced as follows:

H.K. McLennan, superintendent; Lester Kelley, principal and bookkeeping; Lucy Bange, secretary; Helen Hawkins, social subjects and Spanish; Ed Sandling, English; Cleo Meek, mathematics; Joan Price, social subjects and physical education for girls; Carolyn Romney, commerce; JoAnn Harvey, English and librarian; Don Burgderfer, science; Ralph Moran, coach and social subjects along with physical education for boys and instruction in automobile driving; Mary Elizabeth Custar, home economics; Jack Gladden, industrial arts and mechanical drawing; and Leroy Baxter, music and general business,

Joe Ocampo will again be the bus driver and custodian, and Allen Hershkowitz will again be the gardener.

40 years ago

Many 1968 grads will continue education (Thursday, Aug. 29, 1968)

Eighteen of the 43 graduates of the Class of 1968 at Wickenburg High School are planning to continue their education in the Fall.

Thanks to Sharon Brown, who will attend Arizona State University (ASU) at Tempe, where she be a drama major, we have the following report:

Cecil Billingsley -- law major at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff; Larry Ward - business administration major at ASU; Wendy Bulger - psychology major at ASU; Don Clause -- law major at Auburn College in Alabama; Willie Conner -- Lamson Business College; Joe Espinoza -- data processing major at NAU; B’Ann Gardner -- Mesa Community College; Carla Hammerstrom -- Biltmore Beauty College; Shari Kirkham, Rosemar Beauty College in Scottsdale; Richard Mackey - electronic major at ASU; Cary Paine - English major at ASU; Gayle Seagoe - dental assistants’ college; Jane Stone - veterinary medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson; Warren Wellik - architect major at Rice University; Laura Wilkinson - either NAU or beauty school; Ruth Workman - dential assistants’ college; Mike Jones - Illinois University; Ronni Chrzanowski - microbiology major at Kansas University.

30 years ago

Candidate wants government cut (Thursday, Aug. 31, 1978)

Cutting state government spending, reducing property taxes and fighting back at federal government interference in state and local affairs are the principle objectives of Evan Mecham, Glendale automobile dealer running for governor on the Republican ticket.

Mecham spoke to the Wickenburg Rotary Club Tuesday this week and outlined those three issues as keys to his plans if he is elected.

20 years ago

1,148 expected at Wickenburg schools (Thursday, Sept. 1, 1988)

A projected 1,148 students are expected through the doors today - Thursday - when the Wickenburg Unified School District’s three schools resume sessions for 1988-89.

That figure includes 460 students at Wickenburg High School; 387 at Vulture Peak School; and 331 at MacLennan Elementary School.

Superintendent Hank Suverkrup said the enrollment figures, which show a decrease from last year’s opening-day rolls, include subtracting those students who have actually withdrawn from the district during the past year, then adding in those who are presently enrolled.

The Wickenburg school district will operate this year on a $3.8 million maintenance and operation budget that is almost identical to last year’s, Suverkrup said.

10 years ago

Blackburn new at RE/MAX (Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998)

RE/MAX of Wickenburg welcomes Victoria “Vicky” Blackburn to its sales staff.

Blackburn, who recently obtained her Arizona Real Estate license, moved to Arizona 10 years ago from Montana.

She recalls that “my only thoughts about the state of Arizona were cactus, hot weather, sand and lizards. I soon learned that the desert is a very peaceful place.”

Vicky was raised on a cattle ranch and wheat farm in northern Montana and has been a “horse person” all her life.

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