InMaricopa
John and Mary Lou Smith. Photo by Michelle Chance
People are moving to Maricopa every day. But do the newcomers â or the old timers, for that matter â give any thought to the names on our street signs, with the possible exception of John Wayne, of course.
InMaricopa delved into local history to tell you how some of our local roads received their names.
PORTER ROAD
Elton K. Porter farmed in Maricopa in the early 1950s. He and other community volunteers dug a large ditch at Porter Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and filled it with water, creating a popular swimming hole for teens in the early 1950s. In 1954, he died of a heart attack while fighting the fire that destroyed Maricopa Elementary School, the townâs 1914 red-brick school. The name of the school was changed to Elton K. Porter Elementary School for the former school board member, but over time returned to its original name.
Todd Fitchette
Paul Brierley is the executive director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture. Paul Brierley oversees the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture and attracts donors willing to fund research projects.
In a world of shrinking Extension budgets and the need to move quickly on programs to aid commercial farmers, a public/private partnership was borne five years ago to address the unique needs of produce growers in the Yuma, Ariz. region.
Through the collaboration and research available with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and donations by local produce growers, the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture came about to meet the fast-moving needs of Yuma area farmers. With its formation, YCEDA hired Paul Brierley to oversee the program and attract donors willing to fund research projects.