Frank Barrios Profile

Frank Barrios holds a civil engineering degree from Arizona State University. He began his career by working on the Central Arizona Project and was a hydro engineer for the Arizona Department of Water Resources prior to his retirement in 1998.

A Phoenix native, Frank's roots go deep in Arizona. He is a grandson of Martin Gold, who came to Arizona in 1879, and his wife Dolores Martinez.

Frank received a Hon Kachina award in 2002 for his volunteer work with St. Vincent de Paul. He is a member and past president of the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc.

In 2006, Frank joined a team of researchers on a city-sponsored survey that identified historic properties with ties to Phoenix's hispanic population for the purpose of preserving them. While interviewing long-time hispanic residents, he collected many family stories and photos. These became the basis for his book, Mexicans in Phoenix, published in 2008 by Arcadia Publishing.

Frank frequently addresses community groups on the subject of hispanic pioneers in the early history of Phoenix. He continues to be active in diocesan affairs and was recently elected president of the Phoenix chapter of St. Vincent de Paul.

Copyright © 2014, The First Families of Arizona.  Last revised 13 September 2021.