Hi Corbett

Inducted Class of 1997

Hiram “Hi” Corbett was born in Tucson on September 13, 1886. He championed the cause of the University of Arizona as he wanted to see it become Internationally recognized as a center for education and research. He was a very successful businessman (Lumber Yard). He was a promoter for the City of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

In 1945 he brought the Tucson Open to the community. In 1947 he would bring the Cleveland Indians to Tucson for spring baseball training. The City of Tucson honored him in 1928, when they named the baseball stadium at Randolph Park  “Hi Corbett Field” in his honor.

The following biography is courtesy of the Arizona State Library

Sen. James W. Ewing died June 25, 1953 and he was replaced by H. S. Corbett as Senator from Pima County who took the oath of office October 13, 1953 (Journal of the Senate, 21st Legislature, 1st Special Session, 1953, pp. 7-8).

The following is from the Legislative death resolution:

On July 5, 1967 the Honorable Hiram Corbett, lifetime Arizona resident and former member of the Senate, passed away in the City of Tucson.

The Honorable Hiram Corbett was born September 13, 1886 in Tucson.  He attended the Tucson schools and graduated from the University of Arizona.

“Hi”, as he was affectionately known by his friends, was appointed to the State Senate in 1953 and served for twelve years.  The Honorable Hiram Corbett, during his years in the Senate, sponsored legislation toward the establishment of the Arizona Children’s Colony at Randolph and the State School for the Deaf and the Blind.  In addition, he served ably and competently on numerous committees.  Prior to his death, Senator Corbett was serving on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

During his long and active career in politics, Senator Corbett served on the Pima County Republican Committee.  The Honorable Hiram Corbett also served as Republican State Chairman from 1920 to 1928 and was elected National Chairman for Arizona from 1928 to 1932.

“Hi” had a deep interest in sports and was active in the selection of Arizona by the professional baseball teams for their spring training camps.

Senator Corbett, a veteran of World War I, served as Chairman of the Selective Service Board for Pima County.  He held memberships and leadership positions in many civic and fraternal organizations.  “Hi” Corbett was a member of the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society and the members of many organizations demonstrated their high regard for him by selecting him as the president of their organization.  He served as president of the El Rio Country Club, Old Pueblo Club, Tucson Towncats, Tucson Cowboys Baseball Club, Tucson Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Sunshine Club and the Tucson Branch of the American Red Cross.  He was also a member of the Epes Randolph Masonic Lodge, Knights of the Templar, El Zaribah Shrine and Brotherhood of the Protective Order of Elks.

Hiram “Hi” Stevens Corbett – Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (azlibrary.gov)