The Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) search for an 87-year old edition of its Arizona Highways magazine has ended, thanks to one Avondale resident who is an avid Arizona history book collector. 

ADOT was on the hunt for a December 1930 edition of the Arizona Highways magazine to complete its digital library. The issue was found through Avondale resident Dennis Chandler.

Chandler, who has lived in Arizona since 1946, has over 3,000 Arizona history books in his collection which includes copies of every Arizona Highways magazine dating to 1937.

“You name it, if it’s Arizona and collectible, I collect it,” Chandler said in a press release. “I’m a strong proponent of kids learning Arizona history. Anything I can do to perpetuate that, I am all for.”

ADOT began publishing a newsletter in 1921, which eventually became a magazine four years later. The magazine’s editor, Raymond Carlson, revamped the magazine’s editorial focus in the late 1930s to make it more of a tourism-oriented publication with travel stories and scenic photographs. 

Although the state was one of several which published this type of magazine designed to encourage tourism and attract drivers to explore new roads, the Arizona Highways magazine dates back the farthest and featured superior photography, according to ADOT.