MONTHLY MEETINGS:

The Dons meet the third Wednesday of each month, October-May.  Usually either a guest speaker or a Dons member will give a presentation about an historic event, person or place in Arizona.

Please email mail us in the get involved page to learn more or become a perspective member!



The Dons of Arizona is an independent, non-profit service organization, based in Phoenix and incorporated under the laws of the State of Arizona.  Founded as the Triangle Club in 1930 and  associated with the Phoenix YMCA, its name was changed about a year later to the Dons Club to reflect members’ interest in the lore and history of the Southwest.  It then separated from the YMCA and for the first time , members’ wife's, called Donas became a parallel part of the group.  In 1979, the Dons Club was changed again to the Dons of Arizona to better reflect its range of membership and wider scope of operations and functions.  It remains an unaffiliated, non-profit service organization.

The Dons of Arizona biggest event, begun in 1934, was the annual Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Trek, also known as 
“THE TREK”.  It was a full day cross section of:  Southwest lore, traditions, shows, exhibits, hiking, Dons stage production of the life of the Lost Dutchman, fireworks, fire fall, food and fun.  The TREK was staged at the base of the towering Superstition Mountains.  The last Trek was in 2004 ​

DISCOVERY CAMPS:

The Dons host a

Discovery Camp for

Arizona third graders.  Discovery Camp is a one day field trip in the Superstition Mountain wilderness area located at the Dons Base Camp.  The content is aligned with Arizona Third Grade Social Studies curriculum.  There is no charge to the schools to attend Discovery Camp.  Everything is included.  Students must bring their own lunch.  Juice is provided by the Dons.  


MONTHLY DESTINATIONS:

One Saturday every month throughout the year, members, families and friends of the Dons visit a museum, park or other historical site in the state of Arizona.  


WHO ARE THE “DONS OF ARIZONA”

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DONS MONUMENT

The Dons maintain a 90 year old monument dedicated to the Lost Dutchman.  The monument is located at the Northeast corner of Apache Trail and Idaho Roads in Apache Junction. 


Recent Projects


Adopt-A-Highway:


Our semi –annual Highway Cleanup Is  scheduled for October 6th 2024: Sunday  meet at the Peralta Rd & US60. The briefing safety meeting is at   9 am sharp.

Please Join us! 


Our next Adopt-a-Highway is


October 6th, 2024!

OUR PURPOSE

For more than 90 years, the Dons’ of Arizona goal has been the study, preservation and public presentation of the history, legends and lore – plus cultures and grandiose scenery – of the State of Arizona and the Southwest.