Babbitt, George, 1900-1980

Businessman of Flagstaff, Ariz.; amateur historian and preservationist; d. 1980.

Northern Arizona land and business investor; Coconino County Democratic Committee chair, 1930s; Flagstaff, Ariz., postmaster, 1936-1953; amateur historian and preservationist.

Born in Flagstaff on June 4, 1899, George Babbitt, Jr. was a member of the well-known Babbitt family of Flagstaff. His father, George Babbitt Sr., came to Northern Arizona in 1886 with four brothers. The brothers set up a trading post and soon expanded into the ranching business. The Babbitts rapidly acquired political and economic power in Northern Arizona and throughout the territory. George Babbitt, Jr. attended college at Loyola University in Los Angeles, California. In 1920 he finished his Bachelor of Arts and went on to be awarded his Master of Arts from Loyola. Throughout the 1920s he worked at various jobs, including sales manager for the Babbitt Brothers Trading Post from 1927-1930. He also established his own George Babbitt Investment Company, which dealt primarily with land and business development. During the 1930s Babbitt served as Coconino County Democratic Committee chairman. In 1936 he became Postmaster of Flagstaff and continued in that position until 1953. His interests beyond business were principally in history and historic preservation. He was a member of the Arizona Historical Society and the Northern Arizona Pioneer's Historical Society. Babbitt collected rare books and informational material relating to Northern Arizona history. After his first wife, Ruth Behn, died, he married Madeline Hunter, a Los Angeles real estate broker. In 1964 the Babbitts moved from Sedona to Paradise Valley. George Babbitt, Jr. died October 24, 1980

George Babbitt, Jr., born June 4, 1899, was a member of the Babbitt Family of Flagstaff, Arizona. He was a prominent Arizona businessman involved in various business ventures. He died October 24, 1980.

Businessman of Arizona; d. 1980.