Arizona Historymakers is a title granted by the Arizona Historical League since 1992, to honor outstanding Arizonans who have “made significant impacts in our community and state.”

Celebration and an exhibit to recognize them occurs at the Arizona Historical Society museum in Tempe each year.

HonoreeYear RecognizedNotoriety
Barry Goldwater1992U.S. Senator and 1964 U.S. Presidential Nominee[1]
Robert Goldwater Sr.Businessman, Civic Leader, and Father of the Phoenix Open[2]
Phillip CurtisArtist and founder of Phoenix Art Center[3]
J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr.Artist & Educator[4]
Bil KeaneFamily Circus Creator and Artist[5]
Ladmo KwiatkowskiCreator and Performer for The Wallace and Ladmo Show[6][7][8]
Patrick John McMahon
Bill Thompson
Sandra Day O’ConnorFirst Woman Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court[9]
Frank L. SnellAttorney; Civic & Cultural Development Leader[10]
Erma Fiste Bombeck1993Author and Humorist[11]
Edward JacobsenArt Philanthropist and Attorney[12]
William Masao KajikawaEducator and Coach[13]
Dwight W. "Pat" PattersonRancher and "Father" of Arizona Baseball Spring Training[14]
John Jacob Rhodes Jr.U.S. Congressman and Central Arizona Project Proponent[15]
John R. WilliamsArizona Governor and Radio Broadcaster[16]
Ben Avery1995Journalist and Outdoor Recreation Advocate[17]
Joe BeelerWestern Artist and Sculptor[18]
Tom ChaunceyEntrepreneur, Rancher and Broadcast Executive[19]
J. Lawrence WalkupEducator and NAU President[20]
Mark WilmerDean of Arizona's Trial Lawyers & CAP Proponent[21]
Bennie Montague Gonzales1997Southwestern Architect[22]
Roy P. DrachmanCommercial Real Estate Innovator and Tucson Civic Leader[23]
Del LewisPresident, CEO, and Cofounder of Arizona Television Company[24]
Jewell McFarland LewisChairman of the Board and Cofounder of Arizona Television Company[25]
Edwynne Cutler RosenbaumArizona State Legislator and Historical Preservation Advocate[26]
Adam Diaz1999Phoenix Government Official and Humanitarian[27]
G. Robert HerbergerVolunteer and Philanthropist[28][29]
Katherine Keirland Herberger
Robert T. McCallAerospace Artist[30]
Rose MoffordArizona's First Woman Governor[31]
Newton RosenzweigBusiness and Civic Leader[32]
Karl Eller2001Businessperson and Philanthropist[33][34]
Stevie Eller
Eddie BashaHumanitarian and Grocery Mogul[35]
Jerry ColangeloCommunity Leader and Sports Entrepreneur[36]
Paul FanninArizona Governor and U.S. Senator[37]
John F. LongVisionary Builder and Philanthropist[38]
Calvin C. Goode2003Phoenix Councilman and Educator[39]
Jack PfisterCommunity Leader and Advocate for Arizona's Future[40]
Bill ShoverValley Visionary and Civic Leader[41]
Esther Don TangBusinesswoman & Community Activist[42]
Virginia Melody UllmanCivic Philanthropist and Preservationist[43]
John Driggs2005Mayor of Phoenix and Historical Preservationist[44]
Bruce BabbittArizona Governor & U.S. Secretary of the Interior[45]
Sam BillisonNavajo Code Talker during World War II[46][47][48][49]
Carl Gorman
Joe H. Kellwood
Merril Sandoval
Cloves Campbell Sr.Arizona State Legislator and Newspaper Publisher[50]
Alberto RiosPoet and Author[51]
Barbara Barrett2008First female deputy director of the FAA and to run for Arizona Governor[52]
Joe Garagiola Sr.Major League Baseball Player, Broadcaster and Author[53]
Elisabeth Friedrich RuffnerHistoric Preservationist and Community Activist[54]
Alice Wiley SnellCivic Leader and Philanthropist[55][56]
Richard Snell
Ed Mell2014Arizona Artist[57]
Jim BrunerCivic Leader[58]
Raúl Héctor CastroArizona Governor and U.S. Ambassador[59]
Lattie F. Coor Jr.Education Leader and Arizona State University President[60]
Chuck LakinRanching Innovator and Preservationist[61][62]
Maxine Cortelyou Lakin
David LincolnPhilanthropist and Civic Leader[63][64]
Joan Rechlin Lincoln
Bill OwenCowboy Artist[65]
Marshall TrimbleHistorian, Teacher, Author[66]
Ed Beauvais2017Founder of America West Airlines[67]
Wink CriglerRancher[68]
Jon KylU.S. Senator and Water Expert[69]
Harry PappCommunity Leader[70][71]
Rosellen Papp
Robert F. SpetzlerSurgeon[72]
Warren H. Stewart, Sr.Religious Leader and Community Activist[73]
Betsey Bayless2019Arizona Secretary of State, Health, and Civic Leader[74]
Arthur W. DeCabooterEducator and Land Preservationist[75]
Michael J. FoxArt and Heritage Preservationist[76]
Alfredo GutierrezArizona State Senator and Community Activist[77]
Merrill MahaffeyWestern Artist, Painter, and Teacher[78]
Vernon D. SwabackArchitect[79]
Terry Goddard2023Politician, Historic Preservationist and Activist for Transparent Government[80]
Dolan EllisState Balladeer and History Preservationist[81]
Frank BarriosMaster Storyteller, Social Activist, Water Conservationist[82]
Michael M. CrowEducational Leader and Innovator[83]
Angel DelgadilloFather of Historic U.S. Route 66 and Businessman[84]
Denise D. ResnikAdvocate for Autism Treatment and Businesswoman[85]
Daniel D. Von HoffFounding Physician-in-Chief of TGen, Cancer Researcher[86]
Jefferey M. TrentGenomics Pioneer, Founder of TGen[87]
Elizabeth J. WhiteRestaurateur, Community Leader[88]
Adele O’Sullivan2025Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness[89]
Bob Boze BellWriter, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian[90]
Diana Yazzie DevineHousing Innovator and Native American Healthcare Advocate[91]
F. Ronald RaynerAgriculture Innovator and Utilities Officer[92]
John W. GrahamReal Estate Developer, Community Leader[93]
Sharon HarperBusiness/Civic Leaders[94]
Oliver Harper
Eric M. ReimanAlzheimer’s Researcher and Doctor[95]
Duane M. WootenPediatrician, Community Leader[96]

References

  1. ^ "Barry Morris Goldwater". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  2. ^ "Robert W. Goldwater, Sr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  3. ^ "Philip Curtis". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. ^ "J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  5. ^ "Bil Keane". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  6. ^ "Ladmo Kwiatkowski, Wallace & Ladmo Team". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  7. ^ "Bill Thompson, Wallace & Ladmo Team". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  8. ^ "Patrick John McMahon, Wallace & Ladmo Team". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  9. ^ "Sandra Day O’Connor". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  10. ^ "Frank L. Snell". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  11. ^ "Erma Fiste Bombeck". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  12. ^ "Edward “Bud” Jacobson". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  13. ^ "William “Bill” Masao Kajikawa". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  14. ^ "Dwight W. “Pat” Patterson". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  15. ^ "John Jacob Rhodes, Jr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  16. ^ "John R. “Jack” Williams". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  17. ^ "Ben Avery". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  18. ^ "Joe Beeler". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  19. ^ "Tom Chauncey". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  20. ^ "J. Lawrence Walkup". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  21. ^ "Mark Wilmer". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  22. ^ "Bennie Montague Gonzales". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  23. ^ "Roy P. Drachman". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  24. ^ "Del Lewis". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  25. ^ "Jewell McFarland Lewis". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  26. ^ "Edwynne “Polly” Cutler Rosenbaum". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  27. ^ "Adam Diaz". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  28. ^ "G. Robert Herberger". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  29. ^ "Katherine “Kax” Kierland Herberger". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  30. ^ "Robert T. McCall". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  31. ^ "Rose Perica Mofford". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  32. ^ "Newton Rosenzweig". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  33. ^ "Karl Eller". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  34. ^ "Stevie Eller". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  35. ^ "Eddie Basha". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  36. ^ "Jerry Colangelo". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  37. ^ "Paul Fannin". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  38. ^ "John F. Long". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  39. ^ "Calvin C. Goode". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  40. ^ "Jack Pfister". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  41. ^ "Bill Shover". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
  42. ^ "Esther Don Tang". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  43. ^ "Virginia Melody Ullman". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  44. ^ "John Driggs". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  45. ^ "Bruce Babbitt". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  46. ^ "Sam Billison, Navajo Code Talker". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  47. ^ "Carl Gorman, Navajo Code Talker". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  48. ^ "Joe H. Kellwood, Navajo Code Talker". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  49. ^ "Merril Sandoval, Navajo Code Talker". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  50. ^ "Cloves Campbell, Sr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  51. ^ "Alberto Rios". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  52. ^ "Barbara McConnell Barrett". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  53. ^ "Joe Garagiola, Sr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  54. ^ "Elisabeth Friedrich Ruffner". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
  55. ^ "Richard “Dick” Snell". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  56. ^ "Alice “Dinky” Wiley Snell". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  57. ^ "Ed Mell". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  58. ^ "Jim Bruner". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  59. ^ "Raúl Hector Castro". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  60. ^ "Lattie Finch Coor, Jr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  61. ^ "Chuck Lakin". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  62. ^ "Maxine Cortelyou Lakin". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  63. ^ "David Lincoln". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  64. ^ "Joan Rechlin Lincoln". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  65. ^ "Bill Owen". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  66. ^ "Marshall Trimble". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  67. ^ "Ed Beauvais". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  68. ^ "Wink Crigler". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  69. ^ "Jon Kyl". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  70. ^ "Harry Papp". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  71. ^ "Rosellen Papp". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  72. ^ "Robert F. Spetzler, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  73. ^ "Warren H. Stewart, Sr.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  74. ^ "Betsey Bayless". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  75. ^ "Arthur W. DeCabooter". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  76. ^ "Michael J. Fox". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  77. ^ "Alfredo Gutierrez". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  78. ^ "Merrill Mahaffey". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  79. ^ "Vernon D. Swaback". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  80. ^ "Terry Goddard". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  81. ^ "Dolan Ellis". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  82. ^ "Frank M. Barrios". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  83. ^ "Michael M. Crow, Ph.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  84. ^ "Angel Delgadillo". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  85. ^ "Denise D. Resnik". Historical League. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  86. ^ "Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  87. ^ "Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  88. ^ "Elizabeth J. White". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  89. ^ "SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  90. ^ "BOB BOZE BELL". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  91. ^ "DIANA ‘DEDE’ YAZZIE DEVINE". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  92. ^ "F. RONALD ‘RON’ RAYNER". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  93. ^ "JOHN W. GRAHAM". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  94. ^ "SHARON HARPER& OLIVER HARPER, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  95. ^ "ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  96. ^ "DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D.". Historical League. Retrieved 2026-02-18.