Tom Mix: King of the Cowboys

Cowboy movie star Tom Mix was internationally famous. Many legends and tall tales have been told about his life. This presentation highlights some of the true stories about Mix and his connection to Arizona and debunks some of the Hollywood hype. Why was Mix on that highway south of Florence where he met his death? Find out about his childhood, the early years in show business, the multiple marriages and divorces, his career path, his presence in Arizona and the final hours of his life. A wide range of photographs and newspaper articles illustrate this larger than life legend.

H. Christine Reid is intrigued by Arizona’s diverse and rich western heritage as a writer and researcher at the Pinal County Historical Society. She has been a Community Scholar for the ASU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute since 2007. She continues a deep interest in Arizona history while serving on many of the town of Florence’s heritage and historic preservation projects. She leads cemetery and historic district walking tours in Florence. Committed to sharing history in a lively manner, she presents the sometimes hidden or forgotten aspects of Arizona’s characters and history.