The Eva Dugan Execution

It's October, so it's time to talk about something spooky! For many years Pinal County had the only State Prison in Arizona, and during this period a number of executions took place there.

One of the most notorious executions was that of Eva Dugan. Eva was the only woman to ever be hanged at the prison.

For a short period in January of 1927 Eva went to work for Andrew J Mathis, a chicken farmer in Pima County. After a couple of weeks she was fired, and soon after that Mathis disappeared, along with his car and some of his possessions. Foul play was suspected. Pima County Sheriff Jim McDonald investigated the disappearance and found that Eva had sold Mathis’s car for $600 in Kansas City, MO, passing herself off as Mrs Mathis. She was found working in a hospital in White Plains N.Y. and was extradited to Arizona to be charged with car theft. Further investigation showed that she had been married 5 times, with all of her husbands disappearing under mysterious circumstances.

Eva Dugan's mug shots and her noose in the PCHS Museum.

Nine months later campers came upon the body of Andrew Mathis and Eva was charged with his murder. All of the evidence against her was circumstantial, with no witnesses, fingerprints, etc, yet after a short trial she was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Eva was executed by hanging for the murder of Mr Mathis on February 21, 1930. As one final grizzly detail of her life, during the hanging she was decapitated, sending her head rolling to the feet of the spectators! It is likely this influenced the State of Arizona to switch to the gas chamber.

Don't Forget! Yard Sale and Christmas Party!

Find your next treasure at our Yard Sale! Vintage items, books, and much more! All proceeds benefit the museum. 

The Yard Sale takes place on our front lawn on November 9th from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Donations can be made at the museum and are appeciated.

Our annual Christmas Party Fundraiser is also coming up! For this year it will be on the evening of December 18th at the GreenTree Inn and Suites in Florence. Further details will be forthcoming.

We are looking forward to seeing you at these great events, and as always, we appreciate your support!

Public Service Announcement - Update for Voting in the Upcoming Election

Just a reminder that we have an election coming up. The deadline to register has passed, and if you are registered you have the option to vote by mail, drop off your ballot at a drop-off location, or in person. To request a ballot-by-mail, to find locations to drop your ballot, or for more voting information click the link below:

Arizona votes

Voting by mail takes place between October 9 and November 1. Dates and times for voting using a drop-off location depend on the location (see link above)

Election day this year is November 5.

Day of the Dead is coming up and our gift shop has a number of items to help you celebrate! We have books, candy, jewelery, and other Day-of-the-Dead items to help educate, entertain, and treat yourself or someone special.



We welcome you to our Gift Shop Wednesday-Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.