South Phoenix Oral History Project
South Phoenix Oral History Project is a student-founded, student-led initiative to capture and preserve the untold stories of innovation, education, and equity in South Phoenix, Arizona.
It is a collaboration of The Storytelling Institute and the History Department at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona.
South Phoenix is a sacred and relevant place with little academic attention afforded to its history. Very few academic or popular records exist detailing the history of South Phoenix, its role in the evolution of the largest metropolis in the Southwest outside of California, or its traditionally underserved population of Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian residents. Our students and this project seek to right this wrong.
“The South Phoenix Oral History Project has given
South Mountain Community College a sense of place.”
~ Faculty Feedback, 2020
“Until now, I had no idea South Phoenix even mattered.
Now, I'm proud of where I'm from.”
~ Student Feedback, 2018
SPOH - Donations
Thank you for donating to the South Phoenix Oral History Project, a student-led initiative to capture and preserve the history of South Phoenix, Arizona.
Preservation | Access | Scholarship
Our donation tiers are inspired by the 5Cs of Arizona. Please select from the tiers below:
Cotton Level: $25.00
Cattle Level: $50.00
Citrus Level: $75.00
We will mail you a thank you card with a student-written profile.
Climate Level: $100.00
We will mail you a thank you card with a student profile and SPOH gift! You will be recognized on our website for your contributions.
Copper Level: $200.00
We will mail you a thank you card with a student profile and SPOH gift! You will be recognized on our website and seasonal newsletter for your contributions!
Advisory Level: $500.00
Driving Tour of Historic South Phoenix
Join us for a driving tour of historic South Phoenix. The tour covers nearly 30 miles and features 8 points of interest south of the Salt River, and includes two stops to get out and stretch your legs. Highlights include a visit to the South Mountain Preserve, a cruise past a home on the Historic Properties Register surrounded now by brand new million-dollar houses, a brief visit to the Sotelo-Heard Cemetery, a drive down “Funky Broadway” past the historic Precision Auto Parts and foundational Black churches and schools, and a stop to browse at Baseline Flowers, the last remaining shop of the Japanese Flower Gardens dynasty.
No-host lunch will be on-your-own at the historic Ponchos Mexican Food and Cantina, on Central Avenue, a mainstay for over fifty years.
The tour will leave from the Performing Arts Center, which is just west of 24th Street. There is ample free parking at the lot right off of 24th Street.
Please click here to view the tour booklet in advance.