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Biography
of Thomas J. Kollenborn -
click to review books |
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My first recollections of the Superstition Mountains
relates back to my Uncle Abe Brunson. On a trip from
Mesa to Tonto Basin along the Apache Trail in 1944
we stopped near Government Well to cool his old
Model “A” Ford down.
As we set in the shade of a Palo
Verde (not much shade) he told me the story of the
Dutchman’s Lost Mine.
In the early spring of
1948, I was introduced to the Superstition Mountains
at First Water by my father. We hiked into East
Boulder Canyon then over into Needle Canyon near
John Pearce’s old camp. We spent the night and hiked
out the next day. I was ten years old and this was
my first real introduction to the mountains. The
story, the rugged mountain and the serenity of
region capture my imagination for the rest of my
life. I started photographing the mountains in the
mid 1950’s when I worked for the Barkley Cattle
Company for the first time.1955-1965 I spent
numerous weekends in the Superstition Mountains
visiting as many places as I could. I met many
interesting people during these years. I was a
common visitor in Al Morrow’s camp. I often stopped
by Ed Piper’s Camp and even talked to Celeste Jones
on the trail a couple of times when I was in the
mountains. From 1973-2005 I continued being involved
with the Superstition Wilderness Area in some way. I
have served as a guide, written columns on the area
since 1976, published books and continued to visit
this rugged mountain wilderness area with my camera.
My mother was born in
Mesa, Arizona and her folks were raised in Tonto
Basin. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, however,
I was back in Arizona before I was a year old. I
have always claimed Arizona as my native state. I
attended public school in Tonto Basin, Globe,
Hayden, Winkelman and Phoenix. My father was
employed by the Christmas Copper Company from
1932-1952. We moved to Phoenix in 1952. I graduated
from Phoenix Union High School in 1956. I attended
Arizona State Teacher’s College in the fall of 1956.
I also served and was honorably discharged from the
United States Air Force. I received my Master’s
Degree in 1977 from Arizona State University.
I was an U.S. Department of State
Fulbright Scholar to Israel in 1986.
I started my teaching
career with the Apache Junction Unified School
District in 1973. I taught classes for Central
Arizona College from 1973-1990 on the history and
lore of the Superstition Wilderness Area.
During the past thirty
years I have developed a large database based on the
periodical history Superstition Wilderness Area. I
have collected more than 2000 names of people
interested in the area, more than 18,000
periodicals, and more three hundred books and
publications. All this information is easily
accessible with the database we have developed.
Eventually this database will be available to the
public at an on-line site along with a virtual
cyberspace museum on the area with rare photographs
taken by my father never published or used before.
At least this is my dream.
The mountains have always
got a story to tell. I welcome you to my world. The
adventures of our youth serve as our memories when
we grow older. |
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Publications by
Tom Kollenborn |
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Superstition
Mountain - In the Footsteps of the Dutchman
by Thomas J.
Kollenborn and James A. Swanson
Photos, index, extended bibliography, 249 pps.
The legacy of those who have prospected, worked
and wandered the Superstition Wilderness Area
east of Apache Junction.
Retails for $22.95 plus handling and shipping
charges. |
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The History of Apache Junction
by James A. Swanson and Thomas
J. Kollenborn
From prehistoric
Indian cultures to prospectors and miners in the
19th century, and from the early settlers to the
controversies over city incorporation, the
history of Apache Junction, Arizona, offers
insights into the colorful characters and events
that have made this area unique and famous.
Retails in most
book stores for $12.95 plus tax. Available at
Amazon.com
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Circle Stone - A Superstition Mountain History
by James A. Swanson and Thomas
J. Kollenborn
Tom Kollenborn and
Jim Swanson have both been involved for many
years in teaching and writing about Arizona's
fascinating history. They both currently live in
Apache Junction, Arizona, a small community
located near the famed Superstition Mountain in
central Arizona. Their mutual interests in
history and writing have produced this
fascinating account of the attempts to solve the
mysteries of Circlestone, an archeological site
located deep within the Superstition Wilderness.
Retails in most
book stores for $12.95 plus tax. Available at
Amazon.com
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Arizona Storyclub.Com
by Tom Kollenborn and Rich
Watson
This book is a wonderful way to get a
taste of several different authors, poets, and story
tellers. When you purchase the book, you can go
online, join the club, and read more material from
the same authors. If you are a lover of the desert
southwest like I am, you will find this book to be a
gem with un-ending possibilities.
Retails for $19.95
plus tax. Available at Amazon.com |
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The Apache Trail
by Tom Kollenborn
Traveling the Apache
Trail is a unique experience. Portions of the old
wagon road are preserved to this day. Tourists have
been traveling this old road since 1906. They have
been enjoying one of the most beautiful desert
roadways in America. The Apache Trail is a highway
to adventure, beauty and history. President Theodore
Roosevelt wrapped up, in one statement, what the
Apache Trail was all about.
"The Apache Trail
combines the grandeur of the Alps, the glory of the
Rockies, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon and
then adds an indefinable something that none of the
others have, to me, it is most awe-inspiring and
most sublimely beautiful."
Retails at most book
stores for $12.95 plus tax. Available at Amazon.com |
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Chronological
History of the Superstition Wilderness Area, .......
by Tom Kollenborn
This book is a
chronological history of the Superstition Wilderness
Area, Lost Dutchman Mine and the adjacent Central
Mountain region of Arizona. Any person interested in
Arizona history will find this book a true document
of enormous value. This book's pages are filled with
day to day accounts of Arizona pioneers involved in
settling this frontier state, constructing roads,
building dams, railroads, telegraph lines,
transmission lines and canals.
Retails for $125.00
plus tax when available. |
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