I missed the talks at this years Chiricahua Peloncillo Heritage Days but did help with one of the walks on Sunday. Co-sponsored by the Chiricahua Peloncillo Historical Society, the walk covered the historic Catanzaro Ranch which is north of Highway 9 and the Painted Pony Resort. Because of illness Craig McEwan and I were last minute fill ins and the discussion centered on early transportation in the valley. First a discussion of early "roads" in the valley starting with the old road, the first trail running north/south through the valley connecting native villages and used by the Spanish. Then on to the highway that preceded the Current Highway 80. This highway shows up on the 1917 topographic map (labeled the "Borderland Highway") lies one mile east of the current Highway 80 and crosses the San Simon with a low concrete bridge. The bridge has no markings indicating its construction date so I compared the first topographic map of the area with satellite imagery. Shown on the 1917 topographic map this highway and bridge also paralleled the San Simon riverbed, spanning over the lowest portion of the San Simon river. During heavy rains the river can carry a significant amount of water as shown below in some historical images. We followed this early highway north, now passable only with high clearance vehicles, to a homestead of one of Gus Chenoeth's offspring on the other side of low hills leading to cowboy pass north of the current ranch house. After finishing with the old bridge and drive along this early "Borderland Highway" the group moved on to the old Rodeo Intermediate Field where I talked about the history and uses of the old airfield from its' inception as part of early commercial aviation through its use as an Army Auxiliary field during WWII, then as a private facility, and finally abandonment. A good day all in all and I had a chance to learn, see, and explore a little more the area's history as well as sharing what I have found with others.
Craig McEwan talking to the group just below the Catanzaro Ranch house.
Looking back NW across one of "Gus" Chenoweth's offspring homestead toward cowboy pass (on the left).
Looking east at the old Highway bridge surrounded by a sea of Giant Sacaton grasses.
San Simon river flowing under the old Borderland Highway bridge. .
1917 topographic map overlaid on Google earth showing the early highway from Rodeo and bridge location. Rodeo is at the bottom just off the overlay
Understandable, Sunday morning trips can interfere with church. We met at about 10 AM at the Desert Museum and headed out, I got back home about 3:30. We only hiked about a mile, it was mostly driving getting to one place then another. A mixed group of about 20 folks, some local, but many from Wilcox and surrounding environs. It was good to see the Chiricahua Peloncillo Heritage days drawing more and more visitors.
Yep really sorry to miss this one. I was at the Big Cat Ranch back in 2005 [Craig, also] to see the poppies! DiAnn hiked with me and our boots were YELLOW from the poppies; we could not step without hitting a poppy although we tried. Where is that old Highway Bridge?
Click on the last image (the map overlay)to enlarge, it shows the 1917 topographic map scaled and overlaid on google earth and I have labeled the bridge location. I increased the transparency of the overlay so you can still see the current satellite imagery through the overlay.
The poppies were great that year and I got a lot of images of land bathed in yellow, it was truly spectacular.
I did not move here until 2006 so I missed that years poppy bloom and only remember the big poppy bloom from 2012. I missed reading your date in the comment.
Yes, the current curve and climb up to Granite Gap on Highway 80 is just off the upper right corner of the image. The bridge is an east/west affair on a north/south road which is somewhat confusing.
Sheila certainly has the connections, having grown up in the valley. I enjoy seeing historical places around the valley, it creates a greater sense appreciation of who came before us and what has been accomplished.
The Chiricahua-Peloncillo Historical Society is a great local resource about the area. The page for the historical society on the Portal Rodeo website is at http://www.portalrodeo.com/chiricahua-peloncillo-histo.html
That site lists officers and also has Paradise Cemetery information but not lists of activities. Those are the "community calendar" and October is not there. I'll ask Sheila or Linda.
After reviewing the satellite imagery I realized that Cowboy pass is actually a further north east from where we stopped on the tour. The road we were on eventually leads to the pass but the old homestead we stopped at was not it.
I would have liked to join you but the time was wrong; we were in church. Craig told me about Bonnie not being available. Hope she is healing.
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable, Sunday morning trips can interfere with church. We met at about 10 AM at the Desert Museum and headed out, I got back home about 3:30. We only hiked about a mile, it was mostly driving getting to one place then another. A mixed group of about 20 folks, some local, but many from Wilcox and surrounding environs. It was good to see the Chiricahua Peloncillo Heritage days drawing more and more visitors.
ReplyDeleteYep really sorry to miss this one. I was at the Big Cat Ranch back in 2005 [Craig, also] to see the poppies! DiAnn hiked with me and our boots were YELLOW from the poppies; we could not step without hitting a poppy although we tried.
ReplyDeleteWhere is that old Highway Bridge?
Click on the last image (the map overlay)to enlarge, it shows the 1917 topographic map scaled and overlaid on google earth and I have labeled the bridge location. I increased the transparency of the overlay so you can still see the current satellite imagery through the overlay.
ReplyDeleteThe poppies were great that year and I got a lot of images of land bathed in yellow, it was truly spectacular.
guess I did not know you back then. at the time, 2005, that was a record number of people on that hike...........I do remember Craig there
ReplyDeleteI did not move here until 2006 so I missed that years poppy bloom and only remember the big poppy bloom from 2012. I missed reading your date in the comment.
ReplyDeleteah ha!
ReplyDeleteI see the bridge and arrow, duh, Pat
now wondering if the curve to the NE of Rte 80 is just off the map on the top?
Yes, the current curve and climb up to Granite Gap on Highway 80 is just off the upper right corner of the image. The bridge is an east/west affair on a north/south road which is somewhat confusing.
ReplyDeleteSheila is doing a great job of getting historical places for us to see. Maybe that site will come around again and I can get there!
ReplyDeleteSheila certainly has the connections, having grown up in the valley. I enjoy seeing historical places around the valley, it creates a greater sense appreciation of who came before us and what has been accomplished.
ReplyDeleteGee, I have to see what history site is for October? I know the speakers that are due at the annual meeting in November.
ReplyDeleteI just looked on www.portalrodeo.com website and only see the November meeting. Maybe there is no October one; I'll have to ask Sheila.
The Chiricahua-Peloncillo Historical Society is a great local resource about the area. The page for the historical society on the Portal Rodeo website is at http://www.portalrodeo.com/chiricahua-peloncillo-histo.html
ReplyDeleteah ha, duh Pat, didn't think to look there; I shall.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I thought that was the site you checked. I posted the link for others who might read the comments.
ReplyDeleteThat site lists officers and also has Paradise Cemetery information but not lists of activities. Those are the "community calendar" and October is not there. I'll ask Sheila or Linda.
ReplyDeleteOoops, I've read material on that page but did not know it didn't list activities.
ReplyDeleteHope this tour comes around again. . . . . Cowboy Pass is a new one to me!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the satellite imagery I realized that Cowboy pass is actually a further north east from where we stopped on the tour. The road we were on eventually leads to the pass but the old homestead we stopped at was not it.
ReplyDeleteI and many would never know!
ReplyDeleteIt is all in the details, one of which I missed. Just doing my best to get it right.
ReplyDeleteSure wish I could have attended this year!
ReplyDelete