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The 13 Ranch and Brand
When I was a kid in the 1950s, my mom and dad and I lived on the R Bar C Ranch and neighbored with Lewis, Bill, and Barbara Bowman. At...
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- Feb 23
- 5 min
Exploring the Superstition Wilderness
This Superstition Wilderness was designated in 1939, and was expanded to its present size in 1984. It now contains approximately 160,200...
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- Jan 17
- 2 min
Exploring San Carlos Lake in Gila County
With 158 miles of shoreline, San Carlos Lake is one of the largest lakes in Arizona when it’s full – averaging 19,500 acre-feet of water...
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- Jan 5
- 2 min
Apache Kid Incident of 1889
Eugene Midddleton (1863-1929), the son of William and Miriam Middleton who are listed at Wheatfields on the 1880 census, then moved to...
248 views0 comments
- Nov 9, 2022
- 2 min
Exploring the Devils Chasm Ruins
The Sierra Ancha Wilderness is located about 100 miles east of Phoenix, between Globe and Young. Though fairly small at 32 square miles,...
457 views0 comments
- Sep 14, 2022
- 2 min
The History of Kohl's Ranch, Arizona
In 1917, the Kohl family purchased a ranch that had been homesteaded in 1896. The ranch included the area that is now a neighborhood of...
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- Sep 7, 2022
- 2 min
Rock Climbing in Gila County
Gila County, Arizona is said to have some of the best exposed rock in the State of Arizona. The good news is that tons of it is great...
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- Aug 30, 2022
- 1 min
Discovering Potato Lake - Rim Country, Arizona
Potato Lake is a lake located just 8.2 miles from Pine, Arizona and is more of a place to hold a picturesque picnic rather than trying to...
338 views0 comments
- Aug 4, 2022
- 5 min
Water & The Tunnel
When I was a kid my family lived on the Cross V Ranch, headquartered in Star Valley. Our cattle allotments ran from Star Valley north to...
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- Jul 7, 2022
- 17 min
The Results of the Pleasant Valley War Between The Grahams-Tewksburys
The second change 1882 brought was the arrival of John and Tom Graham into Pleasant Valley. Ed Tewksbury met Tom Graham in Globe and...
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- Jun 1, 2022
- 1 min
Early Saloon's in Gila County
We want to know what you know about these old time saloons in Gila County! We know a lot of you have a lot of stories about living in...
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- May 25, 2022
- 7 min
5 Best Places to Explore in Gila County This Memorial Day Weekend!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect. No fires, charcoal grills, smoking outside of vehicles or shooting are allowed...
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- May 25, 2022
- 6 min
Apache History in The Tonto Basin
The Apaches living in the Tonto Basin area from about 1900 to 1930 were called “renegades” by the U.S. government because they would not...
698 views0 comments
- May 11, 2022
- 5 min
Henry Farrell - Gila County Cowboy
Henry Farrell was an old-time cowboy and a true pioneer whose company I was privileged to experience. Henry was a small boy when his...
138 views0 comments
- May 9, 2022
- 6 min
Exploring Canyon Creek - Gila County, Arizona
Canyon Creek located in the Mogollon Rim area is one of the best Arizona trout streams. The upper portion of the Canyon Creek lies in the...
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- May 5, 2022
- 7 min
Exploring the Sierra Ancha Wilderness in Gila County
First established in 1933 as a "Primitive Area," this 20,850 acre wilderness is full of surprises, and is a pleasure to explore. While...
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- May 3, 2022
- 3 min
Jakes Corner - Where The Stage Stopped
The stagecoach stopped in 1916, and ever since then, parched, hungry and weary travelers have been stopping at Jakes Corner in Gila...
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- Apr 13, 2022
- 5 min
Gisela Became Her Home - Ellen Neal Part 3
In Part 1, Ellen was born on the Brazos River in Texas, survived an attack by the Comanches, married a drifter, then married Will Neal....
233 views0 comments
- Apr 6, 2022
- 7 min
"All Hell Broke Loose!" - Ellen Neal Part 2
In Ellen Neal, Part 1, we read that Ellen Jackson was born on the Brazos River in Texas in 1864. She grew up in the wilds of West Texas...
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- Mar 30, 2022
- 7 min
Born on the Brazos - Ellen Neal Part 1
Eleanor Josephine Jackson, known as “Ellen,” was born August 7, 1864, along the Brazos River in Johnson County, Texas,. She was the first...
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- Mar 24, 2022
- 5 min
Best Places to View Spring Wildflowers in Gila County
Every year, wildflower lovers look forward to the spring and summer blooms with great anticipation. The seasonal renewal of life offers...
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- Mar 16, 2022
- 2 min
GUIDED RAFTING TOURS IN GILA COUNTY, AZ
Explore the magnificence of the Upper Salt River in Gila County Arizona! This remote, wilderness canyon is mostly only accessible by...
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- Mar 10, 2022
- 6 min
PAYSON DEW WAS FAMOUS
Story written and told by Stan Brown. Payson Dew, as Rim Country’s bootleg whiskey was known during Prohibition, was thought by some to...
381 views0 comments
- Mar 2, 2022
- 1 min
The Life of Christopher Creek Pioneers
Welcome to the Heart of Arizona. Discover the History below! Christopher Creek, Arizona is known around the Southwest for its picturesque...
102 views0 comments
- Feb 2, 2022
- 6 min
Mail in the Early Years of Gila County
To send a letter today, you must have a complete address, plus zip code and a 37-cent stamp. If any part of the address is incorrect, the...
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- Feb 2, 2022
- 6 min
Mail in the Early Years
To send a letter today, you must have a complete address, plus zip code and a 37-cent stamp. If any part of the address is incorrect, the...
23 views0 comments
- Dec 1, 2021
- 2 min
Famous Cowboys: Leroy Tucker
In 1884 the sport of Rodeo was born in Arizona's Rim Country and has never missed a year since that time. Some of the world's most...
370 views0 comments
- Nov 18, 2021
- 6 min
John and Sarah Holder - Building the Foundation of Gila County
John Francis Holder (1846-1922), grandfather to Pat Haught Cline of Star Valley, Sara Holder Jones of Ox Bow Estates, and Kendrick Holder...
185 views0 comments
- Nov 8, 2021
- 7 min
Best Mountain Biking Trails in Payson, Arizona
The best thing about mountain biking in Gila County, Arizona is how each trail takes your breath away — not just from all the uphill...
251 views0 comments
- Nov 8, 2021
- 7 min
Best Places to Mountain Bike in Southern Gila County, Arizona
The best thing about mountain biking in Gila County, Arizona is how each trail takes your breath away — not just from all the uphill...
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- Nov 4, 2021
- 1 min
Joe Bassett - World Champion Team Roper & Gila County Cowboy
Joe Bassett (1911-1973) was a top cowboy both on the range and in the arena. The highlight of his career came in 1942 when he won the...
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- Oct 27, 2021
- 6 min
The Constable - Walter Lovelady Part 4
Walter and Belle Lovelady took their baby son, Lawrence, and daughter, Dorothy to live at the house Walter built on the Lovelady Place....
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- Oct 25, 2021
- 3 min
Things to Do in Strawberry, Arizona
Welcome to the "Sweet Spot" of Arizona's Rim Country. Do you love to get in touch with nature? Wrap your arms around one of the huge...
821 views0 comments
- Oct 20, 2021
- 6 min
Walter Lovelady Marries Belle Russell - Part 3
With the horror of World War I behind him, Walter was anxious to get back to Arizona and his ranch on Webber Creek. He was even more...
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- Oct 18, 2021
- 3 min
Things to Do in Roosevelt, Arizona
Sometimes the road less traveled makes for the best experiences and going out to Roosevelt Lake is one of those adventures that may prove...
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- Oct 13, 2021
- 6 min
A Cowboy Goes to War - Walter Lee Lovelady Part 2
From 1910 through 1913 Walter punched cows and broke horses for his good friend, Jess Chilson. It was during Walter's stay with the...
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- Oct 6, 2021
- 6 min
Walter Lee Lovelady Part 1 – From Texas to Arizona
Walter Lee Lovelady was the oldest of six children born to James Pleasant Lovelady and Eunice Hale Lovelady. Walter was born September...
188 views0 comments
- Sep 29, 2021
- 3 min
The World Champion From Tonto Basin-George Cline
Being a cowboy is just different. It takes a level of courage, toughness and grit that is not subject to where you grew up or how much...
970 views0 comments
- Sep 23, 2021
- 12 min
Best Places to View the Fall Colors in Gila County, AZ
At this time of year Mother Nature ushers in cooler temperatures and breathtaking views in Gila County's mountain ranges and surrounding...
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- Sep 22, 2021
- 2 min
The History of the Copper Kettle
In 1923, with no bus service and few cars, attending a game at the nearest high school meant about a seven mile walk-few stopping places...
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- Sep 16, 2021
- 6 min
Meet Albert Griffin - Texas Ranger & Arizona Lawman
Seventy three years ago (1932) on a Sunday afternoon, a blue darter hawk flew over the house and lit in a tall tree at the Will Peace...
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- Sep 13, 2021
- 2 min
Exploring Point of Pines Lake - Gila County, Arizona
Point of Pines Lake is a beautiful 34-acre high mountain Lake surrounded by ponderosa pine forest. Travel along Indian Route 8 (1000...
544 views0 comments
- Sep 8, 2021
- 2 min
"Place of the Yellow Water" - Tonto Apache Tribe
The Tonto Apache Tribe is located adjacent to the town of Payson (originally named Te-go-suk, Place of the Yellow Water), in northwestern...
363 views0 comments
- Sep 1, 2021
- 1 min
The Gordon Canyon Bridge - HWY 260
Northern & East Arizona was not always so easily accessible. It took monumental projects like the Gordon Canyon Bridge that would allow...
107 views0 comments
- Aug 30, 2021
- 7 min
Wildlife Encounters in Gila County, Arizona
The Tonto National Forest encompasses approximately 2.8 million acres ranging in elevation from 1300 feet near the lower Salt River to...
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- Aug 24, 2021
- 2 min
Exploring Milk Ranch Point - Payson, Arizona
Over a hundred years ago a man by the name or Rial Allen ran a dairy near the East Verde River in which he called Milk Ranch Point. Allen...
587 views0 comments
- Aug 18, 2021
- 5 min
The Zane Grey Cabin Dedication
Saturday, October 15 will be a day that will bring back memories to a few and commemorate a western author of long ago – who still lives...
257 views0 comments
- Aug 17, 2021
- 7 min
Exploring the Salome Wilderness - Gila County, AZ
This Wilderness was established in 1984 and contains approximately 18,530 acres, with a major canyon running practically its entire...
166 views0 comments
- Aug 9, 2021
- 6 min
Hiking Trails In Gila County, Arizona
One of the best adventure opportunities in all of Arizona is exploring the hundreds of hiking trails in Gila County. From the trails...
58 views0 comments
- Aug 4, 2021
- 6 min
The Fall Roundup - Arizona's Cowboy History
As the first breezes of fall bring light rain to Payson, I know that they have been working longer and with more intensity on top of the...
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