This Controversial President Once Had a Home in Arizona

If you look at the political field today, you see candidates and political figures mired in controversy and polarizing ideas. We're quick to blame social media for the tribal ideas that inform our discourse.

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It seems like the era of tribalism and political controversy is something new to the landscape. You don't have to go far back in history to realize shady politicians are not something new.

Arizona was once home to one of the most controversial politicians in history. Long before he began his journey to the White House, this controversial figure made his residence in the Grand Canyon State.

Living in Arizona for Health Reasons

Growing up, former President Richard Nixon had a brother who suffered from tuberculosis. Due to health measures and vaccinations, we don't hear much about deadly lung diseases like tuberculosis.

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During the 19th and early 20th centuries, illnesses like this were common and deadly. If one was unlucky enough to contract this disease, doctors often recommended patients seek out dry climates like Arizona, in an attempt to lessen the effects of the illness.

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Moving to Prescott

Richard Nixon had a brother named Harold Nixon who fell ill with tuberculosis. Richard moved with his mother and brother from California to a small, rented home in Prescott in 1927, with the hope the dry and sunny Arizona climate would help Harold recover.

Nixon worked as a carnival barker during his summer in Arizona. Canva

Richard was a teenager at the time. He spent two summers with his family in Prescott, in a small wood frame house that still stands today.

Nixon's Team. circa 1930: Members of the Whittier College football team with Richard Nixon wearing the number 12 shirt. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

While in Prescott, young Richard worked as a barker at a local carnival while helping his mother care for his brother. Sadly, Harold Nixon did not survive his illness and died in 1933. He was buried in Whittier, California, where the original Nixon family stood.

President Nixon

Richard Nixon went on to become the 37th President of the United States, only to resign in 1974 after his involvement in the Watergate Scandal was revealed.

Nixon Resigns. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Thanks to RoadsideAmerica.com and Wikipedia.org for the information contained in this article.

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Filed Under: Arizona History

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