Project digs up history on Surprise

Production is wrapping up for the city of Surprise's first history project, which will trace the city's story from its agricultural roots to a modern, suburban city of more than 100,000 residents.

The project will culminate next year with a book and DVD produced by Sherry Aguilar, city clerk and city historian, along with historian and writer Carol Palmer and video producer Paul Ferrante.

Using more than 40 interviews with long-time residents and library and local newspaper research, the team is highlighting the city's transformation through the eyes of those who have lived it.

"We first announced it in June 2008 and the next day the first call I received was from someone whose grandfather was one of the first residents of Surprise," Aguilar said. "And it snowballed from there."

Residents can learn about the history project during the regular City Council workshop, which will be 5 p.m. Thursday, prior to the regular City Council meeting in City Hall, 12425 W. Bell Road.

Aguilar, a lifelong resident of Surprise who turns 50 later this month, said the project has been especially rewarding to her.

"Living here all my life, I feel it's a wonderful place to live, and my family is here, including my son and his family," Aguilar said. "My family has been here since my great-grandfather came here in the mid-'40s, and I have been able to trace people from my family connections as well."

Aguilar's great-grandfather was one of the city's agricultural workers and worked in the cotton fields.

Through the project, Aguilar learned things about Surprise she never knew.

"Grand Avenue used to be known as Vulture Mine Road," Aguilar said. "And where that came from was there used to be a stagecoach route from Phoenix to Wickenburg called that years ago, in the '20s and '30s."

The idea for the history project began when Aguilar told former Mayor Joan Shafer she wanted to create a wall of mayoral election history for the new City Hall.

"We had talked about having a history walk and museum," Aguilar said. "Mayor Lyn Truitt has been great about supporting the idea and wanted to have it ready for the 50th anniversary in December 2010."

Aguilar said the book and DVD set should be ready for purchase in spring 2010 at the city store, online and at local retailers.

Aguilar said the city has formed a Surprise Historical Society, so more research can continue after the project.

"We don't want the research to end after the book," she said.

For information on the historical society, e-mail Aguilar at clerk@surpriseaz.com, or call 623-222-1200.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514, or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.