George Wylie Paul Hunt was born in Huntsville, Missouri, on 1 November 1859 to aristocratic and once-affluent parents. Realizing he must create his own opportunities young George left home to follow a rainbow which led not to the gold he hoped to find in Arizona's White Mountains but instead to a rich and rewarding life in public service. It was October 1881 when the man who would seven times be elected to the highest office in his adopted state strolled into Globe accompanied by a little donkey carrying his few belongings. Unable to endure the rigorous life of a prospector, George became delivery boy for the Old Dominion Mercantile Store. Nine years later he was President of the store and also President of the Old Dominion Bank. In 1904 he was elected the first mayor of Globe. Thus began the political life of one of Arizona's greatest leaders. He served in both houses of Territorial Government, the Assembly and the Council where he was chosen president. As such he was the principal framer of the state constitution, and when Arizona was admitted to the union became its first governor.

As the only governor in the history of our nation to have been elected so many times his accomplishments were many. He is responsible for the great storage dams and canals which supply our water-hungry desert and many of the roads and bridges which are still part of our highway system. Only through Governor Hunt's defense of our rightful share of Colorado River water has the Central Arizona Project become a reality. Due to him, great strides were made in education, and Arizona women were permitted to vote several years before ratification of the 19th Amendment. Always the humanitarian, he took an active part in prison reform. Between his fifth and sixth terms in office Governor Hunt was appointed our nation's minister to Siam. He became a favorite of the fabled kind who bestowed upon Arizona its first date palms, which were planted along Main Street between Mesa and Tempe where they still stand. Ever the loyal American, George W. P. Hunt took pride in his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

Because of his background, his leadership and devotion to the ideals which the Daughters of the American Revolution hold most dear, we dedicate our Chapter to the memory of Governor George W. P. Hunt.

Mrs. Otto E. Fort
Organizing Regent
October 3, 1990