An invitation to keep Maricopa’s history alive

Once in a lifetime we get the opportunity, if we are lucky, to experience a few moments with someone who was an eyewitness to an important time and event in history.

We have that opportunity on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Set aside that date and time to travel to the Maricopa Agricultural Center on Smith-Enke Road to hear two former residents of Maricopa share their memories and stories of growing up in Maricopa during its Railroad Junction days.

Paul Deal is traveling from Norcross, Georgia, to keep Maricopa’s history alive. His sister, Marjorie Deal Smith, will join him to share her memories of living in the old 1890 Edwards Hotel just north of the tracks and going to school in the little redbrick, two-room schoolhouse. Hear about the runaway Billy goats, tricks played on the teacher and games they played.

Find out how their father, Arthur Deal, who was born not long after the Civil War – in 1875 – left his home in South Carolina and headed for Montana but ended up in the Railroad Junction of Maricopa. Learn about the casket-building business in Maricopa and taking a ride in a machine that flew.

There are few people left today who can share these stories and memories. The recollections of a time and place that are gone will not disappear as long as there is someone to hear.

Come join us and be keepers of Maricopa’s History!

For further information, contact: Maricopa History Center ( Patricia Brock) 480-821-0604 or [email protected].

If you go:

What: Keeping Maricopa’s History Alive event
Where: University of Arizona (Maricopa) Agricultural Center (east on Smith Enke Road 3.6 miles, left side of road)
When: Friday, Sept. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

File photo