Learn about in Oro Valley town history and founding its families often times told by local historians and family members of George Pusch and Jack Procter.
A big thank you to Kenny Darr of KGUN 9 News for highlighting the Oro Valley Historical Society, Steam Pump Ranch, and the Pusch House Museum. OVHS marks 20 years of Sharing the Past, Enriching the Present, Inspiring the Future! URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45-JdCzcWiA
Pat Spoerl, archaeologist and Oro Valley Historical Society co-founder, explores the construction of the George Pusch adobe house, restored to its 1870s–1920s appearance. She also highlights later additions by the Procter-Leiber family and the ranch’s 2007 acquisition and later restoration by the Town of Oro Valley. Thank you to Pima Community College, Pat Spoerl and OVHS for the production of this video. This video can also be viewed at Pima CC website.
Twink Monrad recalls meeting Jim Kriegh and his wife, his career as a Civil Engineering professor at the University of Arizona, his shift from metal detecting to meteorite hunting leading to the Gold Basin discovery, his use of engineering skills to help neighbors during floods, and his key role in completing the El Conquistador hotel in just 11 months. Oro Valley History on YouTube .
This February 23, 2021, interview by Joel Woppert from the Town of Oro Valley captures John and Cheryl Leiber sharing firsthand memories of life at Steam Pump Ranch. John Leiber is a descendant of Hank Leiber, Major League Baseball player and husband of Betty Procter, daughter of ranch owner Jack Procter—underscoring the family's deep connection to the historic property.
Dick Eggerding builds a legacy of Art, Community, and Vision in Oro Valley. This is a rich and personal oral history recounting his journey that reflects a deep commitment to enriching lives through the arts and leaving a legacy of beauty, education, and civic pride.
In March 2022, the Town of Oro Valley recorded a video interview with Vivian Weede and her sons, Bob Jr., John, and Tom, highlighting the cultural legacy of Bob Sr. and Vivian Weede. As professional opera singers, the Weedes enriched Southern Arizona by bringing classical music and arts education to schools. In 1997, Bob Sr. co-founded the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council—now SAACA—helping establish a lasting foundation for arts advocacy and community engagement.
In January 2023, the Town of Oro Valley interviewed Donna Landon about the legacy of her late husband, Lou Landon. As the visionary behind Oro Valley Country Club Estates, Lou played a key role in shaping one of the town’s first and most iconic residential communities, known for its blend of natural beauty and thoughtful design.
An Interview with Henry “Hank” G. Zipf Grandson of George and Mathilda Pusch (son of Henry W. Zipf and Gertrude Pusch-Zipf) Join us as Hank reminisces about ranch life, Harold Bell Wright’s The Mine with the Iron Door (later filmed at Oracle’s Linda Vista Ranch), the Procter-Leiber families, and more—including a mention of film star Tom Mix! Enjoy this unique glimpse into local history, family stories, and the ties between literature, film, and life in our region.
In February 2022, the Town of Oro Valley recorded an interview with the daughter of Jim and Catherine Reidy, early homesteaders in the area. Her reflections offer a personal glimpse into pioneer life and the Reidy family's role in the early development of what is now Oro Valley, Arizona. Learn more about The Rattlesnake Queen of Arizona, Catherine Reidy.
Capture a vivid glimpse into 1930s Arizona, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of a pioneering female homesteader. This rare archival reel, “1934 Arizona’s Rattlesnake Queen”, was filmed on Catherine Reidy's homestead north of Tucson, AZ. The footage shows Mrs. Reidy actively handling, processing, and showcasing rattlesnakes as part of her rattlesnake business. Catherine Reidy earned the nickname “The Rattlesnake Queen of Arizona” after a Movietone News reel spotlighted her enterprise, which gained worldwide attention at the time. Learn more about The Rattlesnake Queen of Arizona, Catherine Reidy.
Allen Denoyer, Preservation Archaeologist with Archaeology Southwest, explains how the Hohokam—ancestors of the Tohono O’odham—constructed their homes in Southern Arizona. The replica is modeled after structures uncovered during excavations at Honeybee Village in the Rancho Vistoso area. See the replica in the Heritage Garden at Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley, Arizona. Thank you to Pima Community College, Archaeology Southwest, and the Oro Valley Historical Society for the production of this video. This video can also be viewed at Pima CC website.
Watch excavations of AD 1000 Hohokam homes and learn how this agricultural society lived through the artifacts and structures they left behind. Narrated by Henry Wallace of Desert Archaeology.
