Arizona Star Center Traditional Geocache
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Size: 
(regular)
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This Geo-Art is Part of a Nationwide Project:
THE USA 50 STATE STAR GEO-ART
Celebrating Every State in the USA!
Get to Know the Great State of Arizona
No, this spot is not the center of the state of Arizona, but it is the center of Arizona’s 50 State Star.
The word Arizona comes from one of the following (its origin is not certain): the Aztec Indian word "arizuma," that means "silver-bearing," from the Tohono O'odham Indian word "Aleh-zone" which means "small spring," or the Pima Indian word "Ali shonak" which also means "small spring."
The official state nickname is “The Grand Canyon State,” but it is also known as the Valentine State because it was admitted to the Union on Valentine’s Day in 1912. This marked the end of longest statehood admission struggle in the nation’s history. Movie cameras recorded President Taft signing the proclamation, the first time this technology had ever chronicled such an event.
Arizona actually achieved statehood with a judicial “fib.” Arizona’s founders wanted voters to be able to recall judges. Taft didn’t like that provision, so he vowed to veto a bill that would have made Arizona the 48th state. This provision was deleted from Arizona’s Constitution long enough for Taft to grant statehood on February 14th, 1912. A few weeks later, Governor W.P. Hunt told the Arizona Legislature to restore the language. Arizona has since recalled only one judge. As a result of Taft’s threat to veto the provision, he got very little support from Arizona voters for his re-election bid. About a year later, Taft gave an oblique stab on the statehood fib. When the warden of the state prison wanted to do away with the death penalty, Taft stated, “I do not believe in the abolition of capital punishment for the people of Arizona.” Read more about this interesting portion of history,Here .
Be sure to check out 50 more interesting facts about Arizona in each description of the individual caches in the star.
Please note that this cache, AZ Center, contains replacement materials to be used for repair of caches that need attention. Feel free to take some with you and use as you see the need, but please return unused materials back to this center cache.
Congrats to Frog & Polywog for 51 FTF's
Some things to remember when doing this series
* These caches are located on the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range. A free permit is needed to enter the range. This can be obtained at the Marine Base in Yuma on weekdays.
* This is the desert; home to many animals. Please be aware of your surroundings.
* The roads or lack of roads can be over rough terrain. A 4x4 with high clearance is strongly recommended.
* Please stay on existing trails. DO NOT BUSHWHACK OR WRECK THE DESERT. If you shouldn't be driving to it, just hike to it. 500 feet is not that far.
* This artwork has 51 caches.
* Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks.
* Carry out what you take in, don’t leave anything behind.
* Please report any problems with caches when you log the Arizona Center Star.
* Most important of all…Have Fun!
Thanks to all the Geocachers across the country that placed and maintain these caches!
Star design compliments of Joseph States
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)