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HISTORY
Instant massaging for the Old West Era
In 1873, a new military telegraph line connected Yuma to Maricopa Wells, Tucson, Phoenix and Prescott. This network, a first iteration of instant messaging, covered vast distances for its time, opening the lines of communication and closing the gap between communities. It not only facilitated coordination between military and law enforcement but also aided the territory’s economy through faster and more efficient communication, according to the Arizona Historical Foundation. Telegraph services remained available for the railroad and local residents through the 1960s. In this (above) 1874 photo of the telegraph office at the Wells, courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society, are (from left): Sgt. Gearhart, telegraph operator; James A. Moore, proprietor of Maricopa Wells; unidentified man behind the telegraph pole; Bill Baxter, line rider; Chas N. Naylor, bookkeeper; and Milton Ward, stage driver. Seated on the ground at left are Santiago’s wife and baby.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY For these and other historical stories, visit InMaricopa.com.
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Maricopa teen Kristopher Guarajado Mickell, 15, was stabbed to death in west Phoenix. Mickell was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead. Phoenix police arrested Manuel Isideo Lopez, 22, on murder charges connected to the stabbing near 43rd Avenue and Indian School Road. In Maricopa County Superior Court in 2021, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a plea bargain.
A passenger died and a driver was injured when a Chevy Venture van plowed through a tree and a fire hydrant before coming to rest in the Rancho Mirage community lake. Passenger Eileen Olive Brown, 46, was pronounced dead several hours after the crash. Her stepmother, Bernadette Rose Lopez, 59, the driver, was treated at Chandler Regional Medical Center’s trauma unit. Bystander Damon Burke, who helped first responders at the scene, estimated Brown had been underwater for at least 10 minutes.
Meritage Homes held a grand opening for the Province community with new home prices landing in the mid-$100,000s. Province was the first gated community in the city and remains the only active adult community in Maricopa.
Maricopa’s parks and rec department announced the creation of the Salsa Festival, which would debut in April at Maricopa High School. In addition to the salsa tasting and competition, live entertainment and other family activities were offered including a special guest appearance by a Food Network superstar. Last year, nearly two decades into the tradition, the city nixed the event permanently.
(480) 251-4231 DayvMorgan@gmail.com MaricopaHomeSmart.com
Dayv Morgan ABR, CDPE, CSSPE OWNER, REALTOR ®
Maricopa’s #1 Realtor Maricopa Resident Since 2006
InMaricopa.com | January 2025
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