About Florence Crittenton :: History Timeline

history timeline


1896
Charles Crittenton makes his way to Arizona on his “Good News Trolley”. Establishes a Florence Crittenton home near the railroad tracks at 112 W. Jackson St. in Central Phoenix. Initially the home received its principal support from the saloons of the city, caring for a large number of “fallen women, most of whom came out of houses of ill-fame.”

1897
The home moves to 1022 E. Garfield. Under the management of Miss Ellen Broadbooks, the home experiences some of the usual difficulties of such homes in winning popular support. An 1897 report states “our townspeople take but little interest in our work, so the burden of maintaining our house falls upon a few…”

1900-1930
Phoenix is a city of transit for the tides of travelers to and from the West Coast, and girls in difficulty were constantly moving on. But these same conditions brought to the city many who were merely sick or destitute, so the home broadened its policy to include these women. At this time it also became the first provider of day care for married, working women.

1959
The birth of the Florence Crittenton Auxiliary. This group of volunteer women began as a support system for the home, providing assistance to the teaching staff and scheduling arts and crafts activities with the girls. This group of women today consists of more than 100 members dedicated to the mission of Florence Crittenton.

2008
Florence Crittenton wins $1 Million endowment from The Board Of Visitors. This is Florence Crittenton’s first endowment and a foundation that will help the agency launch a campaign to raise $3 million to ensure its legacy of service for Arizona’s youth.