1930s
« previous | back to timeline | next »
The Desert Mission grounds in the
1930s.
Desert Mission leaders strapped
a donated film screen to the top
of their vehicle and traveled
around Arizona showing films to
raise money for the mission.
Built in 1930, the William
Wrigley, Jr. Community
Building became a center
for Sunnyslope residents.
Touched by both the plight
and compassion of the
Desert Mission community,
John and Helen C. Lincoln
immediately became
involved, donating both
their time and money to
its cause. In this later
photo, they prepare to
watch Desert Mission
children participate in a
parade.
Ellen Ekelund Cooke visits tent
homes in the Sunnyslope area.
This giant slide on Desert Mission
grounds was a popular gathering
place for local children.
A small pool was built for the
children of Desert Mission.
1930s - By the early 1930s, nearly 700 people lived in the Sunnyslope area, and the Desert Mission had become a thriving community center.
1930 - William Wrigley, Jr. Community Building was built on land neighboring the McCahan Memorial Chapel. A well-equipped playground, wading pool, well and pump, and several small cottages were erected as a result of generous donations. These cottages were rented to convalescing patients giving Desert Mission a modest income.
1931 - Frederick S. McKay discovered that fluoride prevents tooth decay.
1931 - John C. Lincoln, millionaire inventor and philanthropist, and his wife Helen, spent their first winter in the Phoenix area because of Helen Lincoln's ill health.
1931 - The Northside Welfare Association hired Marguerite Colley as a social worker to continue her home visits to the sick and indigent. Later, the association moved into one of the convalescent cottages on Desert Mission grounds.
1933 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated as President of the United States.
1933 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt launched the New Deal.
1933 - John C. and Helen Lincoln contributed $2,000 and Sarah McCahan contributed $1,000 for the purchase of the Olney tract, 20 acres of land between present day Dunlap and Hatcher from Second Street to Third Street. The land was deeded to Desert Mission and would eventually become the site of John C. Lincoln Hospital.
1933 - Mr. and Mrs. Illman presented sound motion picture equipment to the Desert Mission.
1934 - Reverend Hillhouse began selling Desert Mission stamps to raise funds for Desert Mission's work. He sent eloquent letters all over the country asking supporters to purchase the stamps, which sold for $1 for a sheet of 100 stamps.
1935 - Desert Mission and the Northside Welfare Association were incorporated as Desert Mission. Social worker Marguerite Colley became a full-time member of the Desert Mission staff.
1936 - A combination bus-ambulance was built for the Desert Mission in Detroit through the courtesy of a benefactor in Washington, D.C.
1936 - Phoenix Community Chest designated the Desert Mission as the agency to care for the welfare needs north of the Arizona Canal, giving legitimacy to the social services and food Desert Mission had been providing the community since 1927.
1938 - Invention of xerography by Chester Carlson.
1938 - The Reverend Dr. Harvey A. Hood became superintendent of the Desert Mission.
1938 - First total artificial hip replacement.
1939 - World War II began.
1939 - The Desert Mission was reorganized as a Presbyterian Church and also made an authorized mission of the Presbyterian Church.
1939 - Desert Mission's commitment to child care began with a nursery school housed in one of the small cottages on the Desert Mission grounds.
1939 - Ellen Ekelund Cooke, RN, arrived from Chicago to become the first registered nurse at the Desert Mission.
1939 - Through the persuasive efforts of Dr. Hood and Ellen Ekelund Cooke, Fred Holmes, MD, agreed to take over the Osborne Cottage clinic and became the first resident physician at Desert Mission.
« previous | back to timeline | next »