PODCAST: Arizona Highways centennial celebration, part two: John Wayne movies, great photographers & more

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Did Arizona Highways magazine play a role in getting Old West movies filmed in Monument Valley? That’s one of the interesting stories shared by Arizona Highways magazine Editor Robert Stieve, who recently sat down for a second episode of On the Road with ADOT celebrating 100 years of the state’s iconic publication. And yes, Arizona Highways remains an ADOT enterprise.

The story of what might have helped bring John Wayne to Arizona also has ties to photographers who have contributed to Arizona Highways since the 1930s. That starts with a discussion of Muench family, starting with patriarch Josef Muench, and what they’ve meant to the magazine.

We also talk about Barry Goldwater, the Grand Canyon and the role Arizona Highways played in celebrating Native American lands and people across the state. Respect was key when visiting those locations.

“Most photographers had to build relationships over time and be welcomed in. And once that happened, it really gave us the opportunity to document Arizona history,” Stieve said. “Over the years we also ended up working with many Native American photographers, and even Native American writers today.”

So join us for On the Road with ADOT and look for Arizona Highways centennial issue on newsstands.