Many Chino Valley senior residents still remember the big news of Sept. 21, 1970. On that day, Chino Valley incorporated to become an official town. A major motivation for the incorporation was to gain the authority to control its own water resources. Next Territorial Days in 2020, the official Town of Chino Valley will be 50 years old!
Just how significant is a 50-year celebration within the context of American history? For one thing, 1970 was only 11 years after Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union as our 49th and 50th states. Does anyone remember which was the 48th state to be added to the flag? Arizona, of course! In 1912.
More than a year ago, the Town of Chino Valley decided that turning 50 was a milestone to not only be recognized, but to be celebrated. And celebrating we are. The festivities kicked off during the recent Territorial Days parade on Aug. 31 and will extend through Territorial Days in 2020. That’s approximately 12 months of revelry, my friends!
For the past few months, a committee of volunteers has labored to produce a commemorative book entitled “Chino Valley. Where Arizona Began.” It’s a book of more than 170 pages offering an historic perspective of how and when institutions that formed our town came to be, from community services (the mayor’s office, police department, the municipal court, fire and medical coverage, regional transit, etc.), education (Chino Valley School District and Mingus Springs Charter School), to the newspapers that served the growing community (the Chino Valley Shopper and the Chino Valley Review) and businesses with a long local history as well as many more chapters.
The largest section of the book features interviews with more than 50 families who have lived and grown with the town through the decades. Those frequently mentioned are the Bisjaks, the Perkins, the Ginns and the Wells. These families paint a colorful portrait of the Chino Valley of the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and forward.
We expect that the book will be published and offered to the public beginning in mid-January, 2020.
But, “Chino Valley. Where Arizona Began” is only one part of our year-long birthday observance. Specially-ordered short and long-sleeve Chino Valley Golden Jubilee shirts are available for purchase at community events such as Halloween in the Park, Chino night with the NAZ Suns, December to Remember on Dec. 14, in Memory Park, farmer’s markets, golf tournaments and many other local gatherings. We’re even auctioning 50 sequentially-numbered commemorative license plates! You’ll want one on your front bumper!
The campaign culminates with our Golden Jubilee Celebration that takes place on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Memory Park during Territorial Days in 2020, complete with bands, dancing, special presentations and renditions of the Ballad of Chino Valley, written by then-resident John Little in the 1980s.
Chino Valley is a town that respects its history, its citizens and its plans for the future. You are invited to be part of the community celebration by looking for town promotions throughout the next year.
Be sure to check out the Chino Valley 50th Anniversary tab on the town’s website at chinoaz.net and follow us on the town’s Facebook Page, YouTube Channel, Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates on the celebration.
Happy Birthday, Chino Valley! QCBN
By Wil Williams
Wil Williams is a Chino Valley resident who is heading up the book project, “Chino Valley. Where Arizona Began.”
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