From Bond Maid to Pioneering Chinese Businesswoman
Raised as a servant girl, Lai Ngan grew up to become a cigar maker, own a boarding house, and run grocery stores in the American Southwest.
The Chinese Exclusion Act: Annotated
The passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 marked the first time the United States prohibited immigration based on ethnicity and national origin.
How Tucson Enforced Its 1918 Mask Requirement
During the influenza pandemic, the Arizona city's police force fined and arrested people for not wearing face masks.
How Native Americans Came to Fight Southwestern Fires
The practice began with the 1933 creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and, specifically, its Indian Division.
What Desert Cities Can Teach Us about Water
Pushed by necessity, the country’s least sustainable region evolved to master its water use. As climate heats up, other cities may adopt similar tactics.
The Man Who Tried to Claim the Grand Canyon
Ralph H. Cameron staked mining claims around the Grand Canyon, seeking to privatize it. When the federal government fought back, he ran for Senate.
How the Chinese Fought Discrimination in 19th Century Arizona
Chinese immigrants in the American West faced legal discrimination and fought back against it using other laws.
Meat and Potatoes: The Reminiscences of Alonzo Davis
In April 1863, the men of the 4th California infantry were hungry. They were posted at Drum Barracks ...
Searching for Emmett Mills
In spring 1920, three men disembarked from a train in a high desert town. They had come on behalf of their friend Anson Mills, who had asked them to find his brother's grave.
