Major Libraries and Archives with Transportation History

Arizona Historical Society, Library and Archives (Flagstaff, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma)

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (ASLAPR) (Phoenix)
ASLAPR serves the information needs of Arizona citizens as authorized in Arizona Revised Statutes §41-1331 through §41-1352. Through its divisions, the Agency provides access to unique historical and contemporary resources, including archives of historical records in Arizona. The History and Archives Division, also know as the Arizona State Archives, is a division of the Arizona Secretary of State, and serves as the archives for Arizona State Government. The Arizona State Archives is mandated by law to collect, preserve, and make available to the public and all branches of government, permanent public records, historical manuscripts, photographs, and other materials that contribute to the understanding of Arizona history. Records at the Arizona State Archives are available to the public in accordance with the Arizona Public Records Act and agency rules. All records are open for use except those specifically restricted by law. ASLAPR hosts the Arizona Memory Project, listed above, and about 33,000 of its 160,000 photographs are online through the Arizona Memory Project website.

This state institution holds several important collections including the Colorado Plateau Archive and regional records of the Arizona Historical Society (Flagstaff division). They also have an exception map collection. Many of its photographic items are visible online.

Sharlot Hall Museum, Library and Archives (Prescott)
The Sharlot Hall Museum is named after its founder, Sharlot Mabridth Hall (1870–1943), who became well known as a poet, activist, politician, and Arizona’s first territorial historian. As early as 1907, Ms. Hall saw the need to save Arizona's history and planned to develop a museum. She began to collect both Native American and pioneer material. In 1927, she began restoring the first Territorial Governor’s residence and offices and moved her extensive collection of artifacts and documents opening it as a museum in 1928. Today, the Sharlot Hall Museum features seven historic buildings, compelling exhibits and beautiful gardens, which serve as the setting for numerous public festivals. The Library and Archives, open to the public, hold a vast collection of rare books, original documents, historical photographs, maps and oral history. The Blue Rose Theater offers an entire season of historically based plays, and Living History programs bring the past alive through hands-on demonstrations.

Among its collections are more than 120,000 historic images, 11,000 of which are viewable online through the Arizona Memory Project. In addition, the museum holds a large collection of maps, historic documents, and books related to Arizona, Yavapai County, and the West. The library collection can be search through an online catalog through the Yavapai Library Network.