Sahuarita honors Porter Wilson; historical society seeks $300,000 for markers and walking trails

Sahuarita — The Santa Cruz Valley Historical Society presented a remembrance of Porter Wilson and asked the town’s support for a community historical-markers campaign at the council meeting.

Devin Stalder, Parks & Recreation Director, introduced Amy Millett and Mary Mack Chernoske of the Santa Cruz Valley Historical Society, who summarized Wilson’s local contributions: Wilson taught physical education in Sahuarita beginning in the 1950s, organized and standardized flag football rules, developed a patented “sonic” flag belt that makes an audible sound when a flag is pulled, organized community swim instruction that reached thousands of students, and built a mouth resuscitation device dubbed the “exchange lung.” The town’s pool built in the 1960s was later named for Wilson.

Speakers recounted Wilson’s community roles — including as a World War II veteran and educator — and noted the international reach of his flag-football equipment and rules. The International Women’s Flag Football Association gives a Porter Wilson Award; historical society speakers said the society is collecting “101 stories” for what would have been Wilson’s 100th birthday and is cataloging remembrances on SantaCruzValleyHistory.org.

Amy Millett and Mary Mack Chernoske also outlined a proposed campaign to place more historical markers in town and develop walking trails; they described a fundraising target of $300,000 to expand interpretive signage and trail mapping, and asked council members to help identify grant writers and donors. The presenters described recent local history programs, a pilot school local-history curriculum and a book proceeds program that benefits local educational foundations.

Council members thanked the historical society and accepted the recognition; the society left materials and treats for meeting attendees. No formal council action was required.