Arizona Oddities is Proud to Welcome a New Guide!

Arizona Oddities is proud to welcome a new guide!

Arizona Oddities is proud to welcome a new guide! Marshall Shore, the “Hip Historian,” is the latest contributor to the site. He will be sharing unique and quirky stories about some of the best-known and little-known people who reign from the state. Please join us in welcoming Marshall. Arizona Oddities

Historians on Horizon Channel Eight, Arizona PBS

What: Arizona Horizon,                     Eight, Arizona PBS When: Monday, June 8th @ 5:30p Featuring: Marshall Trimble, Bob Boze Bell, and Marshall Shore Host Ted Simons will be hosting three Arizona Historians about our unique state.

Phoenix History Tours: Winnie Ruth Judd and Haunted Phoenix

Winnie Ruth Judd: Arizona's Most Infamous Murderer

Marshall Shore: Hip Historian

Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM (PDT)

Phoenix, AZ

Bus Tour Follows the Footsteps of Infamous Winnie Ruth Judd
and the Phoenix Trunk Murders

Marshall Shore steeps himself in the history of Phoenix that others might overlook: the cultural anomalies, the fads, the dreamers, the artists and the eccentrics that provide a unique window into our city’s past.  One such character was the infamous Phoenix trunk murderer, Winnie Ruth Judd.

When: Saturday, April, 25th, 2015, from 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Where: Bus leaves from the Clarendon Hotel at 401 W. Clarendon, Phoenix.
What: A guided bus tour hosted by history raconteur, Marshall Shore, who shares
the hidden history of these sites.

Tickets

Haunted Phoenix

Marshall Shore: Hip Historian

Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PDT)

Phoenix, AZ

Haunted Phoenix Bus Tour Explores the Spookier Side of Downtown

The tour will include a drive by of the historic Orpheum Hotel (Adams and Second Avenue), home to the mysterious female spirit who wanders inside; a visit to the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, the final resting place to notable figures in Arizona history and folklore; a peek inside the ruin of the historic First Baptist Church on 3rd Ave and Monroe, which caught fire in the mid-80’s; a stop at the San Carlos Hotel, home to the ghost of Leone Jensen, who has haunted its halls since
1928.

When: Saturday, April 25th, 2015, from 1-3p pm

Tickets

A Trick Ain't Always a Treat: Roosevelt History?

Rae Bourbon (aka "Ray Bourbon") began show business in silent movies, during the 1930s and 40s, he was known for his gay themed nightclub review and performances in cities around the globe. "A Trick Ain't Always a Treat" was the last of eleven albums Bourbon self-produced in the 1950s and 60s.

"A Trick Ain't Always a Treat," Rae Bourbon’s (1964) album mentions four locations in two Arizona cities, Phoenix and Tucson. The one I’ll focus on here is Phoenix's listing for Roy’s. Which is a reference to Roy’s Buffet that was opened at 307 E. Roosevelt in the early 40’s. Though mentioned on this 60’s era album, using the name Roy's indicates that Rae was aware and likely performed at Roy’s Buffet, during the early 40s to early 50s. The early 50’s Roy’s relocated to 222 E. Roosevelt and became known as the 307 Cocktail Lounge, the 307 endured as part of the drag venue’s name until it’s door shut in 2000. Which is currently right in the heart of the Arts District/ Roosevelt. 

I have heard that the 307 became a gay bar/ drag venue in the 70’s when it was purchased by a Mormon, but it is possible that the bar served a clientele who where homosexuals, much earlier than thought. Especially since there are stories about a circuit later deemed the Fruit Loop, that dates back to the 40s and continued until the 90s. It was a place where men could find the company of other men. 

There is very little written documention about these early days of the Gay and Lesbian community here in Arizona, but these stories are worth saving especially in time of such cultural change. 

While writing this I am listening to this classic camp album from another era via archive.org, and just heard a Goldwater Presidential joke. 

Murals are also at the heart of the Roosevelt's art scene and 222 E Roosevelt offers up even more history. Hidden from view are murals by De Grazia painted in the 50’s before De Grazia became a well known Arizona artist and were painted to cover his tab at this neighborhood bar.

Currently 222 E Roosevelt building is slated for demolition in 2015 and taking with huge piece of early history Roosevelt’s Art District and it’s queer past. There are conversations about efforts to save this building and it's stories. Our history is worth preserving! 

Christmas Lights Tours for 2014

When: 
Tuesday Dec 16 @ 7p

Thursday Dec 18 @7p

Tuesday Dec 23 @ 7p

Where: Beginning at The Clarendon Hotel 

Hosted by: Marshall Shore, The Hip Historian

 

The Valley is filled with fantastic light displays at the holidays, but who has time to do all that planning and all that driving?  Sit back, relax and leave it to us. Join Marshall Shore, tour guide extraordinaire on the Holiday Lights Tour, complete with candy canes, carols and kazoos. The tour begins and ends at the Clarendon Hotel and takes in every kind of display, including commercial displays, private home displays, and religious displays. Bring your family and friends and leave the driving to us.  Make it a truly jolly holiday.

Tixs available: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/marshall-shore-hip-historian-632082823

Come Celebrate WEARizona: Southwest Fashion History

WEARizona: A Southwest Showcase of Historical and Contemporary Fashion

Where: 
Frontal Lobe Gallery, 1301 Grand Ave
Phoenix, ARIZ + other events

When:
Nov 7 - Nov 22

Cost for exhibit free for more information check out
www.WEARizona.org

Additional Winnie Ruth Judd for 10/18

When: Saturday, Oct,  18th, 2014, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: Bus leaves from the Clarendon Hotel at 401 W. Clarendon, Phoenix.
What: A guided bus tour hosted by history raconteur, Marshall Shore, who sharesthe hidden history of these sites.Tickets

Bus Tour Follows the Footsteps of Infamous Winnie Ruth Judd

and the Phoenix Trunk Murders

Marshall Shore steeps himself in the history of Phoenix that others might overlook: the cultural anomalies, the fads, the dreamers, the artists and the eccentrics that provide a unique window into our city’s past.  One such character was the infamous Phoenix trunk murderer, Winnie Ruth Judd.

Back in 1931, the nation was rocked by the grisly details of this gruesome crime. On October 16, 1931, Winnie purportedly killed her two roommates, one of the bodies was cut up, both were stuffed into trunks, and taken by train to Los Angeles.  It was a big job for a small woman, and the twisted tale of adultery, jealousy and murder was complicated by rumors, speculation and uncertainty. Bits and pieces of the story continue to come to light, even to this day.

“As I talk with people in my research, the most interesting things come to light, ” said Marshall, “Just recently, my phone rang and someone began telling me about the Winnie Ruth Judd victim that was cut up in their house’s basement.” 

Saturday, Oct 18th, in true Marshall Shore style, he’s hosting a bus tour covering the historical crime. The tour runs from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and begins and ends The Clarendon Hotel.  The bus will travel along the old Brill trolley line, which will give tour-goers an idea of the shape and size of Phoenix back in Winnie’s day.  Other stops will include the houses where she lived and where she met Jack Holleran, a well-known Phoenix businessman with whom she had an adulterous affair; the Grunow Clinic (still a medical clinic!) where she worked; the house where the murders took place; the train station where she attempted to board with the oozing trunks; and the old Maricopa County Courthouse where the trial took place. 

Marshall promises a few surprise stops along the way and tour participants will be among the first to hear about details in the story that have recently come to light. The tour will cover more information than found in any book.

Tour participants can park at the Clarendon 

When: Saturday, Oct,  18th, 2014, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: Bus leaves from the Clarendon Hotel at 401 W. Clarendon, Phoenix.
What: A guided bus tour hosted by history raconteur, Marshall Shore, who shares
the hidden history of these sites.

Tickets