Introduction

While the Apache Junction Women’s Club was organized in 1960 and Federated in 1961, the Scrapbook Project was started in 1963. This page contains a digitized version of the first scrapbook, which is an amazing piece of history and can be seen below.

Digital Scrapbook

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Highlights from the Scrapbook

The first three scrapbooks produced (1963, 1964, and 1964) had a cover that contained an oil-painting insert.  The 1963 cover is called “Apache Mother and Child”, painted by Caroline Lansing. Lettering was created by Helen Markham.  The scrapbook was compiled by Claire Gooch.

Mrs. Lester C. Hansen was elected as the President of the Apache Junction Women’s Club. She served in this role for several years, and was also a key figure in the Apache Junction Library, improvements in access and quality of education, and in many other community initiatives.

Throughout their history, the Women’s Club acted whenever they saw a need. In 1963, Dr. Roy Fisher, who apparently was the only doctor available in Apache Junction, was temporarily replaced by a newly minted doctor. His name was Dr. Robert Stephen Keller, and he was granted a temporary permit to practice medicine and surgery by The Arizona Medical Association. When the associated granted this permit, they immediately sent a response to the Women’s Club and asked “May we assume that the immediate medical needs at Apache Junction are met?” (Henderson) Apache Junction had a guardian with the Women’s Club and it’s president, Mrs. Hansen.

Other key accomplishment found in the 1963 – 1964 Scrapbook:

• Participating in a Community Improvement Program. (pg. 6)
• Donating textbooks to the local schools. (pg. 9)
• Donating books to the local school libraries. (pg. 11)
• Assisting the school librarian at the high school. (pg. 9)
• Donating time and cards to the Veterans Association Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. (pg. 9)
• Creating a program to collect books, including the Catholic book, various bibles, a book of Mormon, and a Koran, from different religions and donate to the Apache Junction high school (pg. 15, 17)
• Raising money for, and helping with the dedication, of a new high school. (pg. 16)
• Hosting an opening for the new First National Bank of Arizona. (pg. 21)
• Supporting a mobile health unit in Pinal County. (pg. 28)
• Advocating for a Roadway Beauty and Billboard Elimination program with the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce (pg. 37)
• Sponsorship of a Driver Guidance Program with the Automotive Safety Foundation. (pg. 40)
• Formation of a new Civic Council to explore the funding and construction of a new library in Apache Junction. (pg. 43)
• Donations to the Arizona Boys Ranch during Christmas time. (pg. 57)

Source:

Henderson, Charles E. “Location Opportunities.” Received by Mrs. L. C. Hansen, President, 16 Sept. 1963, Apache Junction, AZ. Letter from The Arizona Medical Association, Inc.

Scrapbook: 1963 – 1964. Apache Junction, AZ: Apache Junction Women’s Club, 1964.