Maricopa Zephyr open to public Saturday

The Maricopa Historical Society will host its annual California Zephyr tour 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Amtrak Station.

The California Zephyr’s Silver Horizon dome car, one of Maricopa’s most identifiable landmarks, is at the corner of State Route 347 and the Maricopa/Casa Grande Highway.

The Silver Horizon was part of the famous California Zephyr domes and streamliners that charmed the American people for more than 20 years. The dome car was built for the California Zephyr passenger line, which operated from 1949 until 1970.

Before moving to Maricopa the car was used in a scene from the movie “Pearl Harbor” starring Ben Affleck, which was released in 2001.

The car was moved to Maricopa in 2000 and used as a ticket office for the Amtrak station. The ticket office later was moved to a larger space but the Zephyr has remained as the landmark for Maricopa station.

Visitors can tour the lower coach and upper observation deck, as well as a display of artifacts from Maricopa’s rich history.

Featured at the event will be photographs from the city of Maricopa’s 2013 Shutter Shot contest that featured 24 hours of snap shots of Maricopa on the day of the 10th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

Maricopa Historical Society calendars and Images of America: Maricopa will be on sale. Raffle tickets for the Historical Society’s Valentine Quilt will be available at $5 for one ticket or three tickets for $10. The quilt will be on hand for viewing

The Maricopa Historical Society is dedicated to informing and inspiring all people to make history a part of their lives by presenting exhibits, programs and publications that bring history alive; collecting materials that tell the story of the Maricopa area and its people; educating people of all ages; and creating a sense of identity and community.

More information is available by contacting Brent Murphree at 602-810-1171 or [email protected].