The Ol’ Pioneer The Triannual Magazine of the Grand Canyon Historical Society Volume 20 : Number 1 www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Spring 2009 In This Issue Letters 3 Tropic of Canyon 3 October Outing 9 GC Book Club 10 President’s Letter The Ol’ Pioneer The Biannual Magazine of the As a young child growing up in Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon was the place Grand Canyon Historical Society that I got dragged to each time visitors or relatives came from out of town. Volume 20 : Number 1 Although I enjoyed hiking and being outside even then, I took the canyon itself Spring 2009 for granted. It had been there from my earliest memories and I just assumed that everybody around the country had one—or something similar—nearby. u It would require a move to Phoenix and over a decade spent living in a large The Historical Society was established metropolitan area far away from parks, pine trees and trails to fully appreciate in July 1984 as a non-profit corporation what I had in the canyon. to develop and promote appreciation, My own rediscovery of the Grand Canyon began several years ago with a short under-standing and education of the backpacking trip to Phantom Ranch. It refreshed my memories of childhood earlier history of the inhabitants and trips and reintroduced me to the natural, geologic and historic complexities of important events of the Grand Canyon. the area that had often been lost on me as a child. Since then, I have tried to make The Ol’ Pioneer is published bi- it to the bottom at least once per year as well as explore new trails. Likewise, annually by the GRAND CANYON attending the Grand Canyon History Symposium re-ignited my interest in the HISTORICAL SOCIETY in conjunction canyon’s history and the numerous important historical sites that are so often with The Bulletin, an informational overlooked amongst the surrounding scenic grandeur. paper. Both publications are a benefit of membership. Membership in the Society It was a little more than a year ago, that I first joined the Grand Canyon is open to any person interested in the Historical Society as a basic member. Since then, I have got to know the various historical, educational, and charitable members of the board, past and present, and gained an appreciation of their purposes of the Society. Membership is passion for the canyon and their extensive knowledge of it. The annual picnic on an annual basis using the standard was a great place to meet people, hear stories and catch up on park news. calendar; and dues of $20 are payable on the 1st of January each year, and Several excellent presentations and trips to the historic Red Butte airfield and mailed to the GCHS Treasurer, PO Box Powell Museum gave me new insights into the canyon’s history and the people 345 Flagstaff, AZ 86002. The Ol’ Pioneer that have helped shape it. Each visit to the canyon left me wanting to return; magazine is copyrighted by the Grand each presentation or lively discussion left me wanting to learn more. Canyon Historical Society, Inc. All rights As we start a new year with all of its challenges and opportunities, I encourage reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form each of you to consider your own rediscovery or continued exploration of the without permission of the publisher. Grand Canyon and its history. We have a number of great outings planned (and more in the works) as well as the annual picnic and board meeting and Editor: Mary Williams I strongly encourage all members to attend as many as possible. If you have Submit photos and stories to the The Ol’ Pioneer ideas for outings, presentations or projects, please let myself or another board editor of at: mary@ marywilliamsdesign.com or 4880 N member know. If you have some canyon topic that you have been researching Weatherford Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. – large or small – consider writing a short article for the journal or newsletter. (928) 779-3377. Please submit written We welcome and encourage everyone’s participation. So flip through your old articles and photos electronically on CD canyon photos, browse a book on canyon history, study the maps and the trail or via email if possible. You may mail guides… remember what it is like to be at the canyon. Then pull on your hiking photos or slides for scanning if needed. boots, grab your camera or notebook and join us! Submissions to The Bulletin should be sent to Karen Greig, [email protected] Erik Berg, GCHS President GCHS Officers Erik Berg, President I don’t know how I got myself so confused, but in doing so I mis- John Azar, Vice President numbered the previous issue of the Ol’ Poneer as Volume 20: Number Keith Green, Treasurer Amy Horn, Secretary 2, when it was actually Volume 19: Number 2. So, to those of you who Kirsten Heins, Pioneer Award were paying attention, this issue is 20:1, and we now will be doing Al Richmond, Awards Chair three issues a year (see below) so the next one will be 20:2 (again) and John Azar, Outings Coordinator then 20:3. Sorry about that. —Mary Williams, editor Board of Directors P.S. Send stuff! Lee Albertson Amy Horn John Azar Henry Karpinski Erik Berg Adair Peterson Cover: Henry Miller photo illustration Jackie Brown Paul Schnur Keith Green Gaylord Staveley The Ol’ Pioneer submission deadlines are February 1, 2009 for Volume 20:1. Kristin Heins Amanda Zeman June 1, 2009 for Volume 20:2 and October 1, 2009 for Volume 20:3. 2 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Letters… Dear Mary, My family goes way back as my houses on what was then Avenue A. mother was raised between the Later on after many years in the Post he recent article in The Bulletin Grand Canyon and Williams, plus Office he started with he Park Service for October was of great interest Anita, she went to school in the first as a ranger. to me, especially the article on school building at the Canyon, which Our lives there at the Canyon were theT Red Butte Airfield. In 1941 I had was located near where the Maswick interesting to say the least. As young just graduated from high school and Lodge is now. Her father, William H. children we had to make our own returned from Wasatch Academy in “Pap” Lockridge surveyed the area entertainment as we did not have Utah, to my home at Grand Canyon, which the railroad track from Williams televisions, electronic equipment, and was looking for a job. I was told to Grand Canyon was located. He or such to entertain us. Instead we they were looking for someone to work also worked for Mr. Cameron, who played softball, games like Kick the at the air field, in the office, and since owned the Cameron Hotel. Can, Annie Annie Over, Run Sheep I had just finished taking a business My mother had many stories to Run, and of course Hide and Seek. course, I was hired. I was only there a tell us about her early years there, As young teens we spent time at the short while as I got a better and more including tales of Capt. John Hance, picture shows and dancing at the permanent position at Babbitt’s at the she went to school with the Bass girls, Bright Angel Lodge where dances Grand Canyon—and since I did not and knew all of the William Bass were had for the tourists as well as have a car and finding a ride to the family. My only regret is that I did not locals. This we enjoyed immensely airport was difficult, I opted to work write down these stories and so over and when WWII came along, my in town. I don’t remember a lot about the years the memories have faded. sis and I plus our girlfriend Jeanne the air field as I spent my time in the Our father, Sherman B. Moore, Cummings (whose dad was a Fred office. came to Anita Ranger Station in 1919 Harvey guide) all joined the U.S. My two sisters were born at the and that was where he met our mom. Navy Waves where we stayed until Grand Canyon and I was born in They were married in 1921 and at that 1945 when we all three married and Williams as was my mother, Grace time were at the Grand Canyon. Dad went our separate ways. Lockridge Moore. My sis and I grew first worked as a trail guide for Fred During our high school years, due up at the Canyon and spent many Harvey, later became a chauffeur and to lack of a high school at Grand happy hours there. I would not trade garage man. From there he went to Canyon (for most of us) we went to those years for anything, as they were work in the Post Office where Art Wasatch Academy, a boarding school the best. Metzger was postmaster. The old in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Since Grand Canyon was a village of Post Office was in the downstairs This is just a small segment of our about 250 people in the winter time— floor of the Cameron Hotel, and we lives at Grand Canyon. and of course grew to about 500 in the lived in the upstairs. WE remained summer with all the summer help and there, until they built the new Post —Ethel Moore Cole tourists—our winters were quiet.