The Rich Johnson Papers contain diaries, notes, correspondence, memoranda, speeches, articles, press releases, newsclippings, bills, study reports, seminar texts, audio tapes, and subject files dating from 1935 to 1986. The bulk of the material dates from 1961 to 1984 and documents the efforts of a state level organization to obtain the passage of federal legislation to authorize, fund, and build a large reclamation project. It also shows attempts to fairly administer and allocate the products of that project.
Identification:
MSS-112
Language:
Material in English
Repository:
Arizona State University Library. Greater Arizona Collection P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 Phone: (480) 965-4932 E-Mail: archives@asu.edu Questions? Ask An Archivist!
Biographical Note
T. Richmond Johnson was born to Ernest J. and Ida Mae (Richmond) Johnson in Saginaw, Michigan on April 17, 1912. He married Jean T. Johnson (1913-2009) in 1938 and the couple had three children: Richmond, Judith (Johnson) Ezzell, and Janet.
Johnson studied at Alma College in Michigan. The family moved to Arizona in 1945, where Johnson served variously as chairman of the Arizona Water Resources Association, member of the Water Resources Association, Associate Editor of Arizona Farmer magazine, Executive Director of the Arizona Interstate Stream Commission, President of the Arizona Water Resources Committee, and Executive Secretary of the Central Arizona Project Association until his retirement in 1985. He was also director of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Arizona Academy, and an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America.
Johnson became President of the Central Arizona Project Association in 1960 and his efforts were instrumental in getting the Project's enabling legislation passed by Congress and in formulating precepts and policies for Project administration. Richmond Johnson died in Arizona on March 29, 1999.
Scope and Content Note
The Rich Johnson Papers contain diaries, notes, correspondence, memoranda, speeches, articles, press releases, newsclippings, bills, study reports, seminar texts, audio tapes, and subject files dating from 1935 to 1986. The bulk of the material dates from 1961 to 1984 and documents the efforts of a state level organization to obtain the passage of federal legislation to authorize, fund, and build a large reclamation project. It also shows attempts to fairly administer and allocate the products of that project.
Series I: Central Arizona Project Files (1953-1986) houses diaries, notes, correspondence, memoranda, speeches, articles, and printed matter describing the Project's history from early in the campaign for approval until the completion of construction. This series has been divided into seven sub-series: Sub-Series A: Diaries, Sub-Series B: Conference Notes, Sub-Series C: Correspondence, Sub-Series D: Memoranda, Sub-Series E: Speeches and Articles, Sub-Series F: Newsclippings, and Sub-Series G: Printed Matter.
Series II: Subject Files (1935-1986) contains correspondence, memoranda, minutes, bills, study reports, seminar texts, and printed matter that served Rich Johnson as reading files or as educational materials regarding the Central Arizona Project. This series has been divided into six sub-series: Sub-Series A: Water Allocations, Sub-Series B: Plan 6: Financing, Sub-Series C: Orme Dam, Sub-Series D: Legislation, Sub-Series E: Study Reports, and Sub-Series F: Miscellaneous Subjects. Box 21, Folders 6-7 and Box 22, Folders 1-3 consist primarily of copies of correspondence and memoranda (including enclosures) exchanged between other persons regarding the Project.
Series III: Audio Recordings (Undated) contains a Central Arizona Project Association contracting study and recordings relating to miscellaneous other subjects.
Arrangement
This collection consists of twenty-six boxes divided into three series:
To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.
Copyright
Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.