Embedded Files
The archives contain manuscripts, photographs, and documents created or gathered by individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. The manuscript collections constitute the core of our research collection and range from the late 1700s to the present. Finding aids (guides to contents) can be found here.
The archives contain manuscripts, photographs, and documents created or gathered by individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. The manuscript collections constitute the core of our research collection and range from the late 1700s to the present. Finding aids (guides to contents) can be found here.
The photographic collections as well as other formats document the families, individuals, landscape, and structures of the Casa Grande region. The collections contain over 30,000 images in a variety of formats ranging from early pioneer settlement of Casa Grande to modern digital images. A small portion of the photographs have been digitized. Both digitized and printed photos in our collections are available for purchase by order.
The photographic collections as well as other formats document the families, individuals, landscape, and structures of the Casa Grande region. The collections contain over 30,000 images in a variety of formats ranging from early pioneer settlement of Casa Grande to modern digital images. A small portion of the photographs have been digitized. Both digitized and printed photos in our collections are available for purchase by order.
The voices of local long-term and lifetime residents can be found in the oral history collections. Oral interviews have been conducted, recorded, and transcribed by volunteers since the founding of the Historical Society in 1964. The stories recorded are invaluable first-hand recollections of the individuals who experienced the ever changing economy, lifestyles, and cultures of Casa Grande and the surrounding region.
The voices of local long-term and lifetime residents can be found in the oral history collections. Oral interviews have been conducted, recorded, and transcribed by volunteers since the founding of the Historical Society in 1964. The stories recorded are invaluable first-hand recollections of the individuals who experienced the ever changing economy, lifestyles, and cultures of Casa Grande and the surrounding region.
The library contains over 200 items related to local interest including history, culture, care of artifacts and family heirlooms, as well as old textbooks and reference manuals. The Library and Archives also contain books, maps, architectural drawings, newspaper clippings, family records, business records and many more items of historical interest. The collections are available for research by appointment. Contact the Historical Society.
The library contains over 200 items related to local interest including history, culture, care of artifacts and family heirlooms, as well as old textbooks and reference manuals. The Library and Archives also contain books, maps, architectural drawings, newspaper clippings, family records, business records and many more items of historical interest. The collections are available for research by appointment. Contact the Historical Society.
Gorraiz Photo Collection
Gorraiz Photo Collection
Jim Gorraiz was born in Tempe, Arizona in 1926 to Victor and Anne Marie Lauda Gorraiz. His father was born in Pamplona, Spain of Basque origins. The family originally moved to northern Arizona to herd sheep. Later moving to Phoenix were Victor, Sr. ran various businesses among them “Victor's Cafe" until 1980's. In high school Jim Gorraiz worked part time at the Photo Shop in Phoenix. While attending Arizona State College, he served as the campus photographer, where he solidified his love of photography. Upon deciding that photography was his vocation he enrolled in the Archer School of Photography in Los Angeles for two years of intensive study. Fred Archer, founder of the school, was a pioneer of advertising photography and cinema on the west coast. Here Gorraiz learned skills of the trade and developed his aesthetic. In Los Angeles he began to document through his toned photographic knowledge the local area. The large-format camera brought incredible detail to his photographs. Returning to Phoenix, he worked as a free-lance photographer in downtown Phoenix for several years, saving money for his future business. Jim moved to Casa Grande in 1949 and opened the Casa Grande Photo Shop in 1950, later to be named Casa Grande Photograph and Record Shop. Gorraiz also freelanced for the Casa Grande Dispatch and became a leader in the community, providing photography lessons to the public and sponsoring a photo club. In addition, Gorraiz was an avid traveler, hunter, and fisherman. He travelled extensively in Mexico and was fluent in English and Spanish. He was the driving force behind the creation of the annual O’odham Tash Celebration held in Casa Grande. Gorraiz's main work as a photographer was to provide advertising photographs for the local businesses. For over thirty years he photographed with his 4 x 5 camera, producing hundreds of high quality negatives. He, unknowingly, also created an encompassing portrait of the World War II post war boom of America.
Jim Gorraiz was born in Tempe, Arizona in 1926 to Victor and Anne Marie Lauda Gorraiz. His father was born in Pamplona, Spain of Basque origins. The family originally moved to northern Arizona to herd sheep. Later moving to Phoenix were Victor, Sr. ran various businesses among them “Victor's Cafe" until 1980's. In high school Jim Gorraiz worked part time at the Photo Shop in Phoenix. While attending Arizona State College, he served as the campus photographer, where he solidified his love of photography. Upon deciding that photography was his vocation he enrolled in the Archer School of Photography in Los Angeles for two years of intensive study. Fred Archer, founder of the school, was a pioneer of advertising photography and cinema on the west coast. Here Gorraiz learned skills of the trade and developed his aesthetic. In Los Angeles he began to document through his toned photographic knowledge the local area. The large-format camera brought incredible detail to his photographs. Returning to Phoenix, he worked as a free-lance photographer in downtown Phoenix for several years, saving money for his future business. Jim moved to Casa Grande in 1949 and opened the Casa Grande Photo Shop in 1950, later to be named Casa Grande Photograph and Record Shop. Gorraiz also freelanced for the Casa Grande Dispatch and became a leader in the community, providing photography lessons to the public and sponsoring a photo club. In addition, Gorraiz was an avid traveler, hunter, and fisherman. He travelled extensively in Mexico and was fluent in English and Spanish. He was the driving force behind the creation of the annual O’odham Tash Celebration held in Casa Grande. Gorraiz's main work as a photographer was to provide advertising photographs for the local businesses. For over thirty years he photographed with his 4 x 5 camera, producing hundreds of high quality negatives. He, unknowingly, also created an encompassing portrait of the World War II post war boom of America.
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