Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona (Historical and Old West) [Paperback]

Thelma Heatwole (Author)

Book Description

Series: Historical and Old West | Publication Date: June 21, 1981

Visit the golden past of Arizona's cities. See adobe ruins, old mines, cemetaries, cabins and castles! Experience Arizona's history!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An adventuresome spirit, Thelma Renick Heatwole rode camels, soared in turbo jets, hovered in helicopters, interviewed generals and spent the better part of her life as a reporter-photographer. Plane wrecks, drownings, traffic fatalities, strong-arm robberies, murders her stories and photographs appeared in the pages of The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette. As an exercise in irony, she even covered the story when her own teenage son was lost overnight in the mountains a harrowing episode.Thelma began her journalistic career as a reporter with The Glendale Herald. Next, she became a stringer for the Gazette, and then for the Republic. In 1962 she was a full staffer for the Republic. Her news beat covered eight cities plus a military base in western Maricopa County.Passionately enthusiastic about Arizona history, she developed a particular fascination for Arizona ghost towns. In her inimitable intimate style, she captivated the public with her tales and photos of these historical places of Arizona s yesteryear.Over 100 communications awards were bestowed on her during her journalistic career, including being Woman of the Year 1979 1980 by Arizona Press Women, Inc. Among her National Federation of Press Women awards was a first place for both feature and editorial categories, a second place for news story in a magazine and third place for travel photography.Plaques for her outstanding service as a newspaper reporter were presented by The Arizona Press Club, the City of Tolleson, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Glendale YMCA and Glendale Union High School District Board.Charter member of Arizona Press Women, she served as president in 1967 1968, as chairman of the Central District for two terms and as state communications contest chairman. She inaugurated a contest for press women in which stories about teenage accomplishments were recognized.A near-native of Glendale, Arizona, she was married to Don Heatwole, a fire chief of that city for nearly a quarter-century. Her dad was mayor of Glendale for a decade. Sons Bruce (high school teacher and member of Glendale s city council) and David (geological engineer in Alaska), remember their mother s peregrinations even as youngsters.Thelma was a member of both the Glendale Historical Society and the Arizona Historical Society. Though Thelma has passed on, these stories of her travels throughout Arizona are timeless in their simplicity and enthusiasm for a time long ago, but not forgotten.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Golden West Pub; First Edition edition (June 21, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914846108
• ISBN-13: 978-0914846109
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some "dated" info, but interesting reading, May 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona (Historical and Old West) (Paperback)

Some of the information regarding the names and condition of roads leading to the ghost towns is out of date, hence a check on current conditions is advised before traveling to these sites. However the background info and personal experiences of the author make interesting reading

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little book, April 1, 2004

By 

J. Broekert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona (Historical and Old West) (Paperback)

This is a nice little book with the usual information that is interesting to read. Not for those looking for in depth historical information. Good for reading on the plane or in the car.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona, July 31, 2011

By 

john - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ghost Towns and Historical Haunts in Arizona (Historical and Old West) (Paperback)

The information is interesting albeit dated. The authors and characters interviewed are probably all gone now, and some of the sites explored will be almost impossible to find for those that still exist after 40+ more years. Of those I have seen personally, it was interesting to learn their history.
I think it was probably a fantastic book when first published, but it's value has waned.