Scottsdale Veterans Trail
Places of Honor in the West’s Most Western Town
As a town founded by wounded Civil War veteran Major Winfield Scott, Scottsdale has been continuously inspired to honor its serving military and veterans, past and present, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This story map allows you to visit many places in the Scottsdale area where you can experience, appreciate and honor the incredible legacy of our uniformed service members throughout history.
American Legion Post 44
American Legion Post 44. Click to expand.
On May 13, 1935, veterans of World War I formed Post 44 of the American Legion in Scottsdale. Gathering in each other's homes, in school buildings and churches, the charter members of Post 44 represented a cross-section of Scottsdale life in the 1930s. Among them were Carlton Lutes, the rural mail carrier; Garrett Musgrove, the Scottsdale High custodian; Fred Mathis, Baptist minister; Jack Troutmiller, McDowell Road farmer; Walter Jennings, service station operator; and 12 others. To honor two of Scottsdale's fallen from World War II - Travis Sipe and Clayton Peterson - Post 44 adopted the name Sipe-Peterson Post 44 of the American Legion, and dedicated the post's new building on 1st Street in their memory in May 1948. In 1994, Sipe-Peterson Post 44, American Legion moved into a new building on 2nd Street just west of Scottsdale Road where its more than 1,000 members and affiliate organizations meet today.
Camelback Cemetery
Camelback Cemetery. Click to expand.
Since its establishment circa 1915, Camelback Cemetery on McDonald Drive west of Scottsdale Road has been the final resting place for veterans of all wars, including the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. The cemetery was the site of the town's first Decoration Day ceremonies, conducted annually by American Legion Post 44.
The Chaplain Sculpture
The Chaplain Sculpture. Click to expand.
In 2009, members of the local American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of the Foreign Wars posts raised money and dedicated a sculpture to the City of Scottsdale and Scottsdale's Public Art Program. Named "The Chaplain," the bronze statue depicts a World War I chaplain, and was created by artist Austin Deuel, a U.S. Marine Corps combat artist during the Vietnam War. The City of Scottsdale now hosts a Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremony at the site northeast of Scottsdale City Hall, co-hosted by local veterans' organizations.
Civic Center Bicentennial Plaque
Civic Center Bicentennial Plaque. Click to expand.
In celebration of the nation's Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, Scottsdale Mayor Bill Jenkins and representatives from Post 44 of the American Legion, Post 3513 of the VFW and the Scottsdale chapter of the Disabled American Veterans dedicated a plaque and planted a tree honoring those who served in America's wars. The plaque, along with two others honoring veterans and military, is located on the west side of Civic Center Mall. The 1976 plaque reads, "In memory and history of Scottsdale...from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, and we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
Eldorado Park Honor Grove
Eldorado Park Honor Grove. Click to expand.
In 1968 the Village Tillers Garden Club planted a carob tree in the Scottsdale Honor Grove in Eldorado Park in commemoration of men and women from Scottsdale serving in the armed forces. According to the Scottsdale Progress, the grove was located "east of the swimming pool and south of the lake, is steadily growing with trees donated by individuals and organizations. Recently, a pepper tree was planted by the Scottsdale Republican Woman's Club."
Green Acres Cemetery Veterans Memorial
Green Acres Cemetery Veterans Memorial. Click to expand.
Green Acres Cemetery features a Veterans Memorial, honoring the veterans interred or inurned at the cemetery on Hayden Road between McDowell Road and McKellips Road.
Marine Mural
Marine Mural. Click to expand.
The U.S. Marine Corps Mural at Civic Center was painted by Marines during USMC Week in 2015, and is located along the stairs leading up from the Civic Center Library parking garage to the Civic Center.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Click to expand.
Since its opening in October 1975, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has been a gathering point for community veterans' observances and memorials. The park, founded by World War II U.S. Navy veteran Guy Stillman and his parents, the McCormicks, was partially built by volunteers from local reserve and National Guard units.
Papago Park POW Escape Tunnel Marker
Papago Park POW Escape Tunnel Marker. Click to expand.
During World War II, Camp Papago Park housed Italian prisoners when it opened in 1943, and then more than 3,000 captured German naval personnel were transferred there in January 1944. The prisoners dug a 178-foot-long escape tunnel and two days before Christmas, the largest prisoner-of-war escape attempt on American soil during World War II was underway.
Paradise Memorial Gardens
Paradise Memorial Gardens. Click to expand.
The final resting place for numerous veterans, Paradise Memorial Gardens also assists families in providing appropriate military honors for loved ones.
Scottsdale Elk's Lodge
Scottsdale Elk's Lodge. Click to expand.
The Scottsdale Elk's Lodge building is the former officer's club from the World War II Papago Park POW Camp.
Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen
Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen. Click to expand.
Residents of the Scottsdale area, including nearby Native American communities, have served with distinction in the United States military for more than 100 years. During the nation's armed conflicts and in the course of military duty, 66 of those service members have made the ultimate sacrifice
Stanley Crews VFW Post 3513
Stanley Crews VFW Post 3513. Click to expand.
Post 3513, Veterans of a Foreign Wars was chartered in 1946 and honors a Scottsdale casualty from World War II, Stanley Crews.
Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial
Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial. Click to expand.
Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial at the Scottsdale Airport Aviation Business Center honors the 5,500 aviation cadets who earned their wings at Thunderbird Airfield II during World War II (June 1942-October 1944). It features an authentic Stearman aircraft that cadets trained in during World War II, and is accompanied by indoor and outdoor historic displays.
USS Arizona Memorial Gardens
USS Arizona Memorial Gardens. Click to expand.
The USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Salt River honors the brave U.S. forces aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The 5-acre Memorial Gardens are built around the boat house relic, which was pulled from the sunken remains of the USS Arizona and is now enclosed in an onsite glass display. The memorial is open to the public at no charge.
Winfield Scott Memorial
Winfield Scott Memorial. Click to expand.
A statue by artist George-Ann Tognoni honors U.S. Army Chaplain/Major Winfield Scott, his wife Helen and his retired U.S. Army Mule, Old Maud. Funded by private donations, it was dedicated May 5, 2007 and is on the patio in front of the Scottsdale Historical Society Museum on the west side of Civic Center.
American Legion Post 44
On May 13, 1935, veterans of World War I formed Post 44 of the American Legion in Scottsdale. Gathering in each other's homes, in school buildings and churches, the charter members of Post 44 represented a cross-section of Scottsdale life in the 1930s. Among them were Carlton Lutes, the rural mail carrier; Garrett Musgrove, the Scottsdale High custodian; Fred Mathis, Baptist minister; Jack Troutmiller, McDowell Road farmer; Walter Jennings, service station operator; and 12 others. To honor two of Scottsdale's fallen from World War II - Travis Sipe and Clayton Peterson - Post 44 adopted the name Sipe-Peterson Post 44 of the American Legion, and dedicated the post's new building on 1st Street in their memory in May 1948. In 1994, Sipe-Peterson Post 44, American Legion moved into a new building on 2nd Street just west of Scottsdale Road where its more than 1,000 members and affiliate organizations meet today.
Camelback Cemetery
Since its establishment circa 1915, Camelback Cemetery on McDonald Drive west of Scottsdale Road has been the final resting place for veterans of all wars, including the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. The cemetery was the site of the town's first Decoration Day ceremonies, conducted annually by American Legion Post 44.
The Chaplain Sculpture
In 2009, members of the local American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of the Foreign Wars posts raised money and dedicated a sculpture to the City of Scottsdale and Scottsdale's Public Art Program. Named " The Chaplain ," the bronze statue depicts a World War I chaplain, and was created by artist Austin Deuel, a U.S. Marine Corps combat artist during the Vietnam War. The City of Scottsdale now hosts a Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremony at the site northeast of Scottsdale City Hall, co-hosted by local veterans' organizations.
Civic Center Bicentennial Plaque
In celebration of the nation's Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, Scottsdale Mayor Bill Jenkins and representatives from Post 44 of the American Legion, Post 3513 of the VFW and the Scottsdale chapter of the Disabled American Veterans dedicated a plaque and planted a tree honoring those who served in America's wars. The plaque, along with two others honoring veterans and military, is located on the west side of Civic Center Mall. The 1976 plaque reads, "In memory and history of Scottsdale...from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, and we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
Eldorado Park Honor Grove
In 1968 the Village Tillers Garden Club planted a carob tree in the Scottsdale Honor Grove in Eldorado Park in commemoration of men and women from Scottsdale serving in the armed forces. According to the Scottsdale Progress, the grove was located "east of the swimming pool and south of the lake, is steadily growing with trees donated by individuals and organizations. Recently, a pepper tree was planted by the Scottsdale Republican Woman's Club."
Green Acres Cemetery Veterans Memorial
Green Acres Cemetery features a Veterans Memorial, honoring the veterans interred or inurned at the cemetery on Hayden Road between McDowell Road and McKellips Road.
Marine Mural
The U.S. Marine Corps Mural at Civic Center was painted by Marines during USMC Week in 2015, and is located along the stairs leading up from the Civic Center Library parking garage to the Civic Center.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Since its opening in October 1975, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has been a gathering point for community veterans' observances and memorials. The park, founded by World War II U.S. Navy veteran Guy Stillman and his parents, the McCormicks, was partially built by volunteers from local reserve and National Guard units.
The park includes specific places of significance to honor veterans and military history:
- In October 1974, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Company D, 6th Engineer Battalion dedicated a plaque and the flagpole at the park "to the men...who fell during the Korean Conflict when the company was called to the colors and to those who contributed their labor to complete this railroad park for the benefit of children of all ages."
- Through the efforts of the Scottsdale civic leader Zina Kuhn, a naturalized U.S. citizen who served in the Polish Army during World War II, Arizona's Gratitude (Merci) Train Car was restored and dedicated at the railroad park in 1989. The boxcar was one of 49 filled with gifts from the residents of France to thank residents in each state in the U.S. for their post-World War II generosity toward the French people during their war recovery. Contents from the car are on display in the park's museum. The City of Scottsdale began its annual Veterans Day ceremony in 1989 at the dedication of the Gratitude Train Car.
- The Raoul Amundsen Pullman Car was the site of the signing of the Ogdensburg Treaty in 1940, a mutual defense pact signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister McKenzie King (origin of what is now NORAD).
- At the 2014 Veterans Day event at the park, the Garden Club of Scottsdale dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Marker, honoring servicemen and servicewomen.
Papago Park POW Escape Tunnel Marker
During World War II, Camp Papago Park housed Italian prisoners when it opened in 1943, and then more than 3,000 captured German naval personnel were transferred there in January 1944. The prisoners dug a 178-foot-long escape tunnel and two days before Christmas, the largest prisoner-of-war escape attempt on American soil during World War II was underway.
The exit to the escape tunnel is marked today by an unassuming bronze plaque along the Crosscut Canal near Oak Street.
Paradise Memorial Gardens
The final resting place for numerous veterans, Paradise Memorial Gardens also assists families in providing appropriate military honors for loved ones.
Scottsdale Elk's Lodge
The Scottsdale Elk's Lodge building is the former officer's club from the World War II Papago Park POW Camp .
Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen
Residents of the Scottsdale area, including nearby Native American communities, have served with distinction in the United States military for more than 100 years. During the nation's armed conflicts and in the course of military duty, 66 of those service members have made the ultimate sacrifice
Their names are permanently engraved on the granite faces of the Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen .
Adjacent to The Chaplain sculpture, the two monuments now comprise the Civic Center Memorial Lawn on the east side of the Scottsdale City Hall.
Stanley Crews VFW Post 3513
Post 3513 , Veterans of a Foreign Wars was chartered in 1946 and honors a Scottsdale casualty from World War II, Stanley Crews .
Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial
Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial at the Scottsdale Airport Aviation Business Center honors the 5,500 aviation cadets who earned their wings at Thunderbird Airfield II during World War II (June 1942-October 1944). It features an authentic Stearman aircraft that cadets trained in during World War II, and is accompanied by indoor and outdoor historic displays.
USS Arizona Memorial Gardens
The USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Salt River honors the brave U.S. forces aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The 5-acre Memorial Gardens are built around the boat house relic, which was pulled from the sunken remains of the USS Arizona and is now enclosed in an onsite glass display. The memorial is open to the public at no charge.
Winfield Scott Memorial
A statue by artist George-Ann Tognoni honors U.S. Army Chaplain/Major Winfield Scott, his wife Helen and his retired U.S. Army Mule, Old Maud. Funded by private donations, it was dedicated May 5, 2007 and is on the patio in front of the Scottsdale Historical Society Museum on the west side of Civic Center.
