AASHTO Journal - ‘Arizona Highways’ Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary

The award-winning “Arizona Highways” magazine published by the Arizona Department of Transportation recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary; kicking off a yearlong centennial celebration that will highlight Arizona’s scenery, culture, and history.

[Above image by Arizona DOT]

The then-named State Highway Department launched the “Arizona Highways” monthly magazine in April 1925 as a publication “devoted to the interest of good roads.”

A “centennial edition” honoring the 100-year anniversary of “Arizona Highways” will include a “Hall of Fame” section with 15 Arizona Highways contributors, including photographer Esther Henderson, the first person to have photos purchased by the magazine as it transitioned to focus on travel and tourism. This list also includes photographer Ansel Adams, artist Ted DeGrazia, and current contributor Jack Dykinga – recognized as the dean of Arizona landscape photographers.

“Like every great magazine, Arizona Highways measures up because of the incredible men and women on our masthead,” Robert Stieve, the magazine’s editor, noted in a statement. “But we couldn’t do what we do without our contributors – the gifted artists, photographers, poets and writers who get the bylines. We’ve had some superlatives over the years, and in this special issue, as we celebrate our centennial, we’re proud and excited to induct 15 of them into the Arizona Highways Hall of Fame.”

Arizona DOT stressed that the magazine is not produced with taxpayer funding. Rather, all costs for personnel, production and operations are covered by proceeds from diversified business lines under its brand umbrella, including annual calendars, books, a specialty license plate, gift items, and licensing for a television program and gift shops at two airports.

“We are sincerely indebted to the readers around the world who celebrate this milestone with our dedicated staff and contributors,” noted Kelly Mero, the magazine’s publisher. “Even after 100 years, there are so many stories yet to tell and so many images still to be captured. As much as we are enjoying this occasion, we can’t wait to continue telling Arizona’s story in our second century.”