Name: Montezuma Castle National Monument
Brand: Rod Timanus
SKU: 9781467131872
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Montezuma Castle National Monument

9781467131872

$24.99

The mysterious cliff dwelling known as Montezuma Castle has overlooked Arizona's Verde Valley for over 900 years. Originally thought to have been built by the ancient Aztecs, later research proved it to be the handiwork of a long-vanished people named the Sinagua. They inhabited the site for over three centuries and then simply walked away to be lost in the mists of time. In this volume, the author traces the history of Montezuma Castle through its construction, abandonment, later discovery, and the diligent efforts of many individuals and organizations to restore and preserve it for future generations. In 1906, Montezuma Castle was designated one of the country's first national monuments by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. Arizona was still a territory at that time, six years away from becoming the 48th state in the Union.

Glendale

9780738548661

$24.99

Established in 1892, nine miles northwest of Phoenix in the Salt River Valley of Arizona, Glendale at first attracted farmers with strong Protestant religious convictions. Soon, however, others began to settle in the town and on the rich farmlands of the area. Although predominantly Anglos, the settlers that came in the latter 1890s and early decades of the 1900s included various ethnic minorities. Each group had a significant role in the city's development into an important agricultural center that shipped produce all over the country. World War II and its influx of servicemen to train at Glendale's Luke and Thunderbird airfields brought permanent changes to Glendale. The population doubled and doubled again and again. Today the city-Arizona's fourth largest-is a metropolitan area of 59 square miles and close to 250,000 people. This volume offers windows to understanding the growth and development of Glendale over the years.

Historic Tales of Territorial Tucson

9781467145053

$21.99

The Old Pueblo's history is full of colorful characters and fascinating folktales!.

Tucson was originally settled in 1775, and the Gadsden Purchase brought the tiny settlement on the Santa Cruz River into the United States in 1854. In the decades leading up to Arizona's statehood in 1912, the territory's largest city was rife with excitement. A seven-headed, four-hundred-foot-long sea serpent prophesied to the townsfolk. Lady bicyclists caused an uproar with their "divided skirts.'? The new railroad brought three presidents to town. From the city's brief time in the Confederacy to its crusades against drinking and gambling, from bullfighting rings to sanitariums, author Dave Devine relates stories of the little-known, sometimes lighthearted and often unusual events and personalities of Tucson.

The Whiskey Row Fire of 1900

9781467143158

$23.99

A fire of frightening magnitude was not a question of "if" but "when" in young Prescott, and on July 14, 1900, the feared conflagration found its spark. After several years of drought, a candle slipping from its holder was all it took to utterly destroy Prescott's business district, red-light district and famous Whiskey Row. People grabbed what they could to rescue it from the flames, but the party didn't stop. Even the piano from one saloon was moved to a new location, and people continued to play. Author Bradley Courtney explores the conditions leading up to the disaster, the surprising details of its effects and the amazing recovery that shapes the town today.

The Grand Canyon's Uncle Jimmy Owens

9781467147422

$21.99

In 1906, James "Uncle Jimmy" Owens, at the request of Teddy Roosevelt, moved to the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon to help control the mountain lion population. He earned a reputation as a legendary hunter and guided hunts and tours for the rich and famous. Passionate about wildlife, Uncle Jimmy started out as a quiet, unassuming cowboy on a cattle ranch in Texas before taking a job as a buffalo warden in Yellowstone and meeting the future president, who would change the course of his life. He spent twenty-three years acquainting himself with the cliffs of the Grand Canyon, where one slip could mean instant death, before fading into obscurity. Join author Albert L. LeCount as he delves into the fascinating life of a forgotten man.

Pluto and Lowell Observatory

9781625859792

$21.99

Pluto looms large in Flagstaff, where residents and businesses alike take pride in their community's most enduring claim to fame: Clyde Tombaugh's 1930 discovery of Pluto at Lowell Observatory. Percival Lowell began searching for his theoretical "Planet X" in 1905, and Tombaugh's "eureka!" experience brought worldwide attention to the city and observatory. Ever since, area scientists have played leading roles in virtually every major Pluto-related discovery, from unknown moons to the existence of an atmosphere and the innovations of the New Horizons spacecraft. Lowell historian Kevin Schindler and astronomer Will Grundy guide you through the story of Pluto from postulation to exploration.

Parker

9780738556383

$24.99

In 1908, Congress authorized the town site of Parker to be reserved and set apart. The boundaries of the surveyed and platted town site are located within the interior of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, which was established in 1865. The federal government initially intended the town site as the location to create housing for employees of the Arizona and California Railroad Company, which had already begun using the location as a division point. By 1918, funds arising from the sale of town lots were needed for the continued construction of a pumping plant and irrigation project on the reservation. News outlets emphasized the business potential from both mining interests in the area and agricultural development once the reservation lands were open. However, as the test of time has proven, it is the enjoyment of activities on the Colorado River that keep bringing people back to this small desert town.

Lowell Observatory

9781467134170

$24.99

Atop a mesa one mile west of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, sits Lowell Observatory, an astronomical research facility steeped in tradition. Percival Lowell, scion of a Boston Brahmin family, initially established his observatory in 1894 to study the possibility of intelligent life on Mars. Lowell widely popularized his controversial theories, sparking debate among both the scientific community and lay public. In the following years, the observatory's astronomers made several discoveries that dramatically altered our understanding of space, including Clyde Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto in 1930 and V.M. Slipher's detection of the expanding nature of the universe in 1912. Decades later, Apollo astronauts visited as part of their training to fly to the moon. These stories and others offer a glimpse of the scientific discovery, community pride, and personal triumph that define Lowell Observatory.

Tuzigoot National Monument

9781467124867

$24.99

The native people, known today as the Sinagua, inhabited the Verde Valley of Arizona for centuries. From around 700 AD to early 1400 AD, they farmed the land and built large pueblo communities throughout the area. They accomplished this task using only primitive stone tools, materials from their environment, and the strength of their intellect and muscle. One of the largest communal dwellings, and later the most extensively excavated, is called Tuzigoot. This sprawling, hilltop complex contained over 100 rooms and was once home to several hundred people before it was mysteriously abandoned. Excavated and partially restored between 1933 and 1934, Tuzigoot is currently administered by the National Park Service after being designated a national monument by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Today, although off the beaten track, it hosts more than 100,000 visitors a year.

Legend City

9781467130714

$24.99

Conceived and built in the early 1960s by local artist and advertising man Louis E. Crandall, Legend City was an ambitious and star-crossed mid-century attempt to bring a world-class theme park to the Phoenix metropolitan area. Despite daunting financial challenges and an unforgiving Arizona sun, the park managed to survive for two full decades, entertaining countless Arizonans and forging an enduring place for itself in the hearts and minds of local residents. A sad tale of broken dreams and economic failure on the surface, the story of Legend City is actually an exhilarating and fascinating chapter in the cultural history of Arizona.

Circle Z Guest Ranch

9781467116626

$29.99

Nestled in Sonoita Valley along the banks of Sonoita Creek, just 15 miles north of Mexico, Circle Z Guest Ranch welcomes vacationers to experience a taste of the Old West, with the comfortable pleasures of a traditional family-style ranch but without the risks. Horseback riding, relaxation, and cowboy cookouts have been the ranch's main attractions for the past 90 years, earning Circle Z the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating guest ranch in Arizona. It evolved from a four-room adobe homestead to a working cattle ranch before becoming a highly profitable sheepherding operation. In 1924, brothers Carl and Lee Zinsmeister arrived in Patagonia with a vision of developing a dude ranch with a resort feel. They purchased 5,000 acres of the San José de Sonoita land grant, which included the Sanford estate. Circle Z opened in 1926 and quickly became one of the finest guest ranches in the state. Today, the Nash family operates this memorable ranch famous for its well-trained horses and miles of scenic trails.

The Cadet Nurse Corps in Arizona: A History of Service

9781467118255

$21.99

Congress established the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II to meet the high demand for medical care. The first federal women's education program, it included a nondiscrimination policy decades before the civil rights movement. The trailblazing cadets and innovative healthcare practices at the five participating teaching hospitals in Arizona left a lasting national legacy. Sage Memorial Hospital was the country's only accredited nursing school for Native Americans. Santa Monica's Hospital and nursing school was the first to integrate west of the Mississippi. The daughter of a Navajo medicine man, U.S. Army Nurse Corps second lieutenant Adele Slivers helped bridge a gap between traditional healing practices and modern medicine. Arizona author Elsie Szecsy details momentous local challenges and achievements from this pivotal era in American medicine.

The Cadet Nurse Corps in Arizona: A History of Service

The Hash Knife Around Holbrook

9781467130936

$24.99

For more than 140 years, the Hash Knife brand has intrigued Western history lovers. From its rough-and-ready-sounding name to its travels throughout Texas, Montana, and Arizona, the Hash Knife sports a romance like few others in the cattle industry. Several outfits have been proud to call the brand their own, and the stories behind the men who worked for these companies are the epitome of Western lore and truth combined. Beginning in 1884, the Hash Knife--owned by the Aztec Land and Cattle Company--came to Arizona. The brand left a lasting impression on places like Holbrook, Joseph City, Winslow, and the famed OW Ranch while shaping Northern Arizona. From its historic roots to the famed Hash Knife Pony Express Ride that takes place each January, the Hash Knife has left its mark as a beloved mainstay of the American West.

Early Maricopa County

9780738574165

$24.99

In 1863, the first mining town, Wickenburg, was established in what would become Maricopa County, when it was created from parts of Pima, Yuma, Mohave, and Yavapai Counties on February 12, 1871. Spanish Franciscan missionary Francisco Garces claimed the name "Maricopa" came from the Pima word for the Pipatsje, a Yuman tribe from the Gulf of California that migrated to Arizona's central valley long ago. Ten years after Maricopa County was established, Jack Swillings's original settlement had begun its evolution into the ever-expanding city of Phoenix. By the turn of the 20th century, Maricopa County was no longer just a dusty settlement for a few hundred sturdy souls. Its rich agricultural districts had grown in scope and breadth, since its irrigation systems were fed by the Salt and Verde Rivers impounded in Roosevelt, Apache, and Canyon Lakes. Phoenix led the explosive growth of Maricopa County and Arizona, and by 1920 had become a dynamic, vibrant state capital. Today Maricopa County is the state's major economic engine and home to the fifth-largest city in America.

Flowing Wells

9781467127158

$23.99

The community of Flowing Wells covers 13 square miles, partially in the city of Tucson, as well as in unincorporated Pima County, Arizona. The area was named after the bubbling water from sunken pipes at the base of Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain) by Warren Allison. Around 1895, Allison bought 500 acres of uncultivated land about three miles northwest of downtown Tucson. He and a sturdy team dug a canal, the Allison Ditch, from his wellfield to his land, called the Flowing Wells Ranch, to grow alfalfa, hay, watermelons, and cantaloupes. Farms, dairies, hatcheries, Gilpin Airport, and the railroad dominated the community throughout the early years. Urbanization was slow but steady, starting in the late 1940s. The community transitioned from farming to residential and industrial, with the school district binding the community together. Flowing Wells, while designated a community, was recognized as an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2007; its residents and those that work within the school district describe it as a family to this day.

Flagstaff

9780738585109

$24.99

On July 4, 1876, members of the Second Boston Party made camp at Antelope Spring on their way to California. To celebrate the country's centennial, the men prepared a ponderosa pine tree by stripping it of its branches and creating a flagpole. With the arrival of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882, this "flag staff" was once again discovered. The area was growing in population, so it became necessary to establish a post office. Many names were proposed for the new town, such as "Antelope City" and "Flagpole," but the name "Flag Staff" fit best. As an oasis in the middle of the southwest desert, Flagstaff has been a hub for many attractions surrounding the city, prompting visitors to send news of their experiences via a picture postcard. Many of the cards in this volume have messages and postmarks that help show a glimpse of what life was like in Arizona's High Country.

Tovrea Castle

9780738579139

$24.99

For more than 80 years, the remarkable, wedding cake-like structure located on the eastern fringe of Phoenix has intrigued residents and visitors alike. Perched on a granite promontory, Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights reflects the dreams of several people. Alessio Carraro started construction in 1929, but the Depression spoiled his dream of a magnificent resort. E. A. Tovrea purchased the property in 1931 but died soon thereafter. Tovrea's widow, Della, after marrying William Plato Stuart in 1936, moved back and forth between the castle and Prescott, depending on the weather. When Stuart died in 1960, Della lived in the castle until her death in 1969. For many years after her death, the castle stood lonely and neglected, and it held its mystique because few people were ever invited inside. In 1993, the castle and surrounding acreage were acquired by the City of Phoenix for a new purpose: transformation into a city park.

Tucson Mountains

9780738579238

$24.99

The Tucson Mountains are located several miles west of downtown Tucson. For thousands of years, this mountain range has been inhabited, explored, and traveled by Native Americans who settled near the Santa Cruz River. Homesteaders, prospectors, and ranchers arrived in the late 19th century, drawn by the area's close proximity to Tucson and the Southern Pacific Railroad, as well as the promise of land and mineral wealth. During the past 100 years, conservation efforts to preserve and enhance the community's understanding of this geologic treasure have led to the establishment of museums and parks, including Tucson Mountain Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Saguaro National Park West. Old Tucson Studios has used the surrounding Tucson Mountains as a movie backdrop for more than 70 years. The White Stallion Ranch and the J. W. Marriot at Starr Pass make the Tucson Mountains a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the rugged beauty and character of the American Southwest.

Haunted Bisbee

9781467145619

$21.99

Once the world's richest mining site, Bisbee is now one of the most haunted towns in America. From an entity that screams in anguish in Zacatecas Canyon to the glorious woman that floats through a wall in the School House Inn, spirits lurk around every corner. A firefighter still haunts his beloved Bisbee Fire Station No. 2, saving lives even after death, while a vengeful apparition keeps guard over his family plot at Evergreen Cemetery. Copper mining might have faded, but the memories of those drawn to Bisbee live on. Join Francine Powers, award-winning journalist, author and paranormal historian, as she uncovers the truth behind the old ghost stories of her beloved hometown.

Chiricahua Mountains:

9781609498009

$21.99

With elevations above nine thousand feet, dense vegetation and unique rock formations, the Chiricahua Mountains are a unique wildlife refuge and natural botanic reserve. Inhabited by Apaches and then homesteaders, the U.S. Cavalry, miners, outlaws and tourists, this range has retained its allure through time. Apache legend Geronimo surrendered in 1886 to General Nelson Miles in Skeleton Canyon, on the east side of the Chiricahuas in the neighboring Peloncillo Mountains. Johnny Ringo and Curly Bill Brocius led the outlaws in the short-lived town of Galeyville. Chiricahua National Monument was created in 1924, and the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived in the 1930s to build trails, rock structures and fire lookouts. Join author William Ascarza as he tours the natural and human histories of this magnificent Arizona mountain range.

Chandler

9780738585215

$24.99

Chandler is located 20 miles southeast of Phoenix and has been the home of innovative, forward-thinking people for many decades. As Phoenix began to grow in the late 19th century, a young veterinarian decided to aquire several acres of the surrounding land. Dr. Alexander J. Chandler took a few business gambles with his new acquisition, and the 18,000 acres known then as Chandler Ranch were soon split into lots and sold as the new town of Chandler. Once the town was established in 1912, Dr. Chandler relied on industrial agriculture and the new, lavish San Marcos Hotel to attract new residents. Later, Dr. Chandler brought Frank Lloyd Wright to redesign downtown and build a new hotel. During World War II, several families and businesses came to the area because of the new Williams Air Force Base. Following the war, high-tech businesses and bioscience firms created a new economy in Chandler, which led to a modern patchwork of people who represent Chandler today.

Roosevelt Dam

9780738558615

$24.99

At 5:48 p.m., on March 18, 1911, former president Theodore Roosevelt pushed the button allowing the first waters to be released from the world's highest masonry dam. The dam was one of the first projects authorized under the Newland Reclamation Act of 1902. The act provided federal money for state reclamation projects and established the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which, between 1902 and 1907, began 30 projects within 11 western states. The confident promoters of the Roosevelt Dam began developing the project at the confluence of Tonto Creek and the Salt River five months before receiving formal approval by the newly established bureau in 1903. As a result of a 1992 expansion and renovation project, today's dam stands 357 feet high and bears little resemblance to the dam dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt.

Lake Pleasant

9780738571768

$24.99

If the Hohokam beheld Lake Pleasant today, spreading across the desert northwest of Phoenix, their eyes would scarcely recognize their home. Nearly a century ago, early pioneers in central Arizona were inspired by the Hohokam's hand-dug irrigation to divert the Agua Fria River from the Bradshaw Mountains, creating colossal agricultural potential in the Sonoran Desert. Lake Pleasant stands alone among the great reclamation efforts of the West, largely due to the tenacity of one man--William H. Beardsley, who died before it was completed. Beardsley, along with other visionaries like Carl Pleasant and Donald Waddell, overcame all odds to create the Pleasant Dam, which was completed in October 1927 and was later renamed the Waddell Dam. In the late 20th century, the New Waddell Dam was constructed, which tripled the size of the lake and made the water flow uphill, back into Lake Pleasant. Today Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers visitors over 20,000 acres of crystal clear water ideal for boating, water sports, and fishing and over 140 developed sites for RV and tent camping.

A Guide to Southern Arizona's Historic Farms & Ranches

9781609494605

$21.99

Experience southwestern heritage, culture and cuisine while learning to rope and herd cattle, trail ride through the wilderness or make prickly pear syrup. With roots dating back to the mid-1800s, southern Arizona's historic guest ranches and farm stays include Spain's first mission in the continental United States, a former World War II prison camp and boys' boarding school and a Butterfield Stagecoach stop. Intimately connected to Arizona's land and legacy, these unparalleled retreats have hosted countless artists, movie stars and politicians and continue to enrich their present-day communities through food, education and conservation. Pack your bags and join travel writer Lili DeBarbieri for a journey into the rural west south of the Gila River.

A Guide to Southern Arizona's Historic Farms & Ranches

Phoenix's Ahwatukee-Foothills

9780738548555

$24.99

South of Phoenix's South Mountain, west of Interstate 10, north of the Gila River Indian Community, and east of Arizona state land lies the picturesque village of Ahwatukee-Foothills, home to some 87,000 people. Its proximity to adjacent cities, cultural centers, shopping, and dining combines with these natural boundaries to give the area its beautiful topography, sense of peaceful isolation, and high desirability as a great place to live, work, and play. But long before there was a freeway, the area was part of the Kyrene farming community, a rural patchwork of hardy pioneer families typifying the country's agricultural way of life during the first half of the 20th century.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix

9781467144681

$21.99

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul started in Paris, France, in 1833 and is now established in more than 150 countries throughout the world. The Phoenix Council was founded in 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church by a group of visionary individuals who came together to address poverty in Phoenix. The seeds they planted have grown into a multifaceted organization, providing much-needed assistance to thousands of individuals and families throughout central and northern Arizona. Author Frank Barrios shares the Phoenix Council's history, from its beginnings as a small thrift store and rented restaurant space in the early 1950s through today's services, which include five dining rooms, seventeen thrift stores and myriad special assistance programs.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix

Empire Ranch

9780738595948

$24.99

The Empire Ranch sits in the heart of the rolling grasslands and oak-studded foothills of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in southeastern Arizona. Its remarkable history and the ranching way of life are told through the stories of the men, women, and children of the Empire, most notably the Vail, Boice, and Donaldson families. Walter L. Vail and Herbert R. Hislop purchased the Empire Ranch homestead for $2,000 in 1876. The Vail family operated the ranch until 1928, turning it into a cattle ranching empire. From 1928 to 1975, the well-respected Boice family ran a vibrant Hereford operation on the Empire. The Donaldson family used innovative range management methods to continue the ranching legacy from 1975 to 2009. Today, the ranch, under the management of the Bureau of Land Management, remains one of the oldest continuously working cattle ranches in the region.

Golf in Scottsdale

9780738556321

$24.99

For 100 years, golf in Scottsdale, Arizona, has challenged and entertained professionals, duffers, and spectators alike. Courses have evolved from the oiled sand courses of the early 1900s to championship layouts with breathtaking scenery--lush green fairways surrounded by cacti, boulders, and desert washes. Scottsdale's favorable winter climate creates an ideal setting for international golf tournaments, like the FBR Open, featuring stellar tour professionals and watchable celebrities. Scottsdale-area golf businesses enhance the game and the local economy. Rarely seen images in this new retrospective have been gathered from a variety of local archives, historical societies, and private collections.

Miracle on the Salt River:

9781626196940

$21.99

Following enactment of the Reclamation Act, the first federally constructed dam broke ground in Arizona's Salt River Valley in 1905. With the inauguration of Roosevelt Dam, the distant dream of an abundant life in the desert became a reality. The dam and farmer-operated water distribution system tamed the vicious drought, created arable land and became an irrigation model for the West. With the water came farmers and families, all eager for the chance to build new lives and communities. Many were just like the Haley family, farmers from Kentucky and Missouri who settled in the area and whose descendants still call the valley home. Follow their journey and discover a snapshot of the life and community that grew from the ditches of the valley. Author Meredith Haley Whiteley explores this story from the ordinary person's perspective, weaving valley history through drought, loss, plenty and joy.

Lucky to Live in Arizona

9780738527796

$16.99

What do you get when you cross a read-aloud storybook with a write-in memory book? Magic moments between kids and adults! The Lucky to Live in Arizona book is the perfect tool to jump-start meaningful conversations between generations. Read-aloud rhymes set up interesting topics. Then write-in prompts invite children to record their own views to create a personal Grand Canyon State keepsake. The real gift lies in the interactive nature of the book as it offers the perfect opportunity for adults to share their own stories and wisdom about such issues as friendship, community, team spirit, and other topics that help develop a child's social and emotional skills. Customized Arizona content—from favorite local cuisine (prickly pear lemonade) to interesting attractions (Grand Canyon National Park)—provides an even more personalized experience.

Cover image for Lucky to Live in Arizona, isbn: 9780738527796

Wise Animal Handbook Arizona, The

9780738528113

$16.99

Read-aloud time is about to get a lot more fun!

The Arizona Wise Animal Handbook offers laugh-out-loud animal kingdom advice for kids of every age! Engaging animal photos entertain while charming read-aloud rhymes help jump-start conversations about practical life solutions.
The Read Together/Do Together? experience continues with pull out coloring pages in the back of the book featuring fun facts about special Grand Canyon State animals including the cactus wren and Arizona tree frog.
Enjoy the opportunity to share your own practical wisdom with your favorite little one as you read-aloud... and laugh-aloud....again and again.

Sedona Verde Valley Art:

9781626198418

$21.99

The jaw-dropping allure of the Sedona Verde Valley is a magnet for celebrated visual artists from around the world. This unforgettable landscape has inspired nearly a century of diverse painting, experimental collage, provocative sculpture and stimulating architecture. Tourists and locals are enamored of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and the unique and often political art of Jerome continues to evolve. In a captivating exploration of state and regional styles alongside profiles of contemporary masters, author and historian Lili DeBarbieri presents the full story of Sedona art.

Navajo and Hopi Art in Arizona

9781467117890

$24.99

Arizona's Navajo and Hopi cultures span multiple generations, and their descendants continue to honor customs from thousands of years ago. Contemporary artists like Hopi katsina doll carver Manuel Chavarria and Navajo weaver Barbara Teller Ornelas use traditional crafts and techniques to preserve the stories of their ancestors. Meanwhile, emerging mixed-media artists like Melanie Yazzie expand the boundaries of tradition by combining Navajo influences with contemporary culture and styles. Local author Rory Schmitt presents the region's outstanding native artists and their work, studios and inspirations.

Snowflake

9780738548388

$24.99

A temple with the traditional angel-tipped spire stands on a little juniper-covered hill in the northeastern Arizona town of Snowflake as a testament to the hard work and sacrifices of early Mormon pioneers. These ranching and farming families, sent from fruitful Utah to colonize a land only marginally suitable for farming, became experts in irrigation as they struggled to utilize the waters of Silver Creek and the Little Colorado River. Through sheer determination, they turned alluvium into verdant fields, and the surrounding well-drained Great Basin Desert Shrub became their pastures. But their religion and their families were always the main focus. Today the growing communities of Snowflake, Taylor, and Shumway attract new residents and visitors alike with the beauty of their natural setting, mild yet distinct seasons, and hometown charm. Many historic pioneer-era buildings have been restored to honor the area's unique past.

Graham County

9780738548487

$24.99

Originally located in Doña Ana County in New Mexico Territory, the area that eventually became Graham County, Arizona, was part of a vast high desert landscape that stretched all the way to the Colorado River. In 1881, the Arizona legislature broke from the tradition of naming counties after local Native American tribes when it carved Graham County out of Pima and Apache Counties and named it for the 10,516-foot Mount Graham, the highest peak in the area. The last refuge of the legendary Native American war leader Geronimo, the region also boasts some of southeastern Arizona's most beautiful topography, including the Santa Teresa Range, Mount Turnbull, the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Roper Lake, the Pinaleño Range, and the Gila River. Today more than 33,000 residents call Graham County home.