TRAVELING THROUGH TIME

2 of 9 finished panels which track the history of Globe-Miami from the early Salado to present.

If you could go back in time to see Globe in the past, what year would you choose to visit? The new Globe timeline might help you make a great choice.

Inspired by the timeline painted on the sidewalk for Globe’s 2012 Centennial, this is that project on steroids. The 2.5 foot by 80 foot creation goes back as far back as 500 AD, then highlights 101 interesting people and events that happened from then until now with pictures and descriptions. Printed on eight aluminum panels with UV-protected vinyl heat-adhered onto them, the panels are meant to withstand the impact of the sun and minor vandalism.

Thea Wilshire was the lead on this project and invested hundreds of hours of research. Not growing up in the area, Wilshire seems an odd choice, but she saw this as an asset. “I had fresh eyes to recognize amazing Globe accomplishments that others take for granted, things people assume ‘everyone knows’.” She added, “Most of what I’d heard about Globe only featured white men. I wanted to know what was happening with women and people of color, too.”

To help with the timeline creation, Wilshire invited potential stakeholders to participate. These included Bob Bigando and the research volunteers at the Gila County Historical Society (GCHS); Jo Nell Brantley, a member of the original timeline team; LeeAnn Powers who is digitalizing all past editions of the Silver Belt newspaper; Molly Cornwell with the Globe Downtown Association; and Christine Marin, Professor Emeritus and Archivist-Historian with Arizona State University.

“We thought this would fit on five panel, but Dr. Marin added so much to the project that it almost doubled in size.”

After gathering the information, Wilshire enlisted the help of graphic designer Tanner Hunsaker of Western Reprographics. “Tanner and his team did an amazing job. These are beautiful,” Wilshire praised.

To check on accuracy before printing the final timeline on the metal panels, Hunsaker printed eight quarter-sized mini-panels on foam core that were displayed at the GCHS museum, First Fridays, Farmer’s Markets, Poppyfest, and other public gatherings. Input was requested on the entries included and any that were missed. “We got feedback from a lot of people over the six months of public comment,” Wilshire shared.

When asked about stand-out discoveries, Wilshire found impressive accomplishments in engineering, rodeo, aeronautics, mathematics, sports, politics, the arts, archeology, law, and the military. “It’s shocking how many times Globe issues go all the way to the Supreme Court and how many athletes have been involved in the Olympics and professional sports.”

She also shared, “I thought the ‘G’ was a municipal thing, not something created by Globe High students and owned by the GHS Alumni Association.” She added, “I knew a lot about George WP Hunt and Rose Mofford, but had never heard of Polly Rosenbaum who may be even more impressive.”

“This region has amazing resilience to survive floods, fires, highway bypass, isolation, economic downturns, and more. It’s also shocking how many ways Globe has influenced the entire country and even the world.” Wilshire added, “How can this many groundbreaking discoveries and milestones happen in such a small place? Is there something in the water?”

When asked why now for the timeline, Wilshire described multiple factors.

“When access to flat trails was closed at the Old Dominion Mine Park, our regional recreation committee was working to create an urban trail downtown with features that would draw walkers.” Unfortunately, COVID shut down their planning efforts. “The need for safe outdoor walking trails became even more important during the pandemic when people couldn’t meet indoors,” Wilshire reported, “and then the need was heightened again when access to the National Forest trails was closed after the fires.”

Fortunately, Wilshire served as director of a pandemicinspired public art initiative I Art Globe (IAG). IAG became a project of the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts (CVCA) and obtained a grant from BHP to help cover expenses associated with this project. Wilshire and Hunsaker donated their copious time invested into the project.

The official metal timeline made its debut at Old Dominion Days when the CVCA displayed the panels in a ground floor gallery. The immense size of the timeline was brought home when all the planned transport vehicles were found to be too small to move the ten-foot panels and a truck had to be borrowed.

Wil Bowan, CVCA Gallery Manager, said the timeline “shows the rich heritage of our community. People are constantly asking about the history of Globe and this is a fantastic way to showcase it.” He added the CVCA “is an icon on Broad Street and a fitting place to premiere the timeline to the public.” For the opening, Turn the Page owner, Cindy Phillips, contributed historic outfits to the display and a diorama from the GCHS was brought in.

The public’s response was shock and delight. “I had no idea this many significant events occurred in Globe,” said local resident, Judy Quinn, when she viewed the timeline.

What’s next for this project?

“We’re looking for a final home for the timeline,” said Wilshire. “Our original building is no longer big enough for all of it.” IAG members approached the city about possibly placing it in a new park planned for North Broad. “They were very enthusiastic about this idea.” In the meantime, IAG considered putting timeline panels in empty storefronts, but very few have windows long enough to accommodate them.

A two-hour reception to showcase the timeline is planned for the newly restored 300 N. Broad building, across the street from Bravo. Wilshire states, “We’re hoping for the First Friday in January or February.” The building owners, Doug and Trina Becksted, are enthusiastic supporters.

After perusing the timeline, Wilshire’s original question reverberates: how can a town as small as Globe accomplish so many amazing feats?

Maybe it’s just something in the water. u

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