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History & Culture of Apache Junction
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Apache Junction is the western end of the Apache Trail| Apache Trail | (u'-PA'-chee TRA-i'l) | This road, also known as state route 88, links Apache Junction to Globe through the Superstition Mountains. It is approximately 40 miles of steep, winding, and mostly unpaved road. |
. The Apache Trail's famous Circle
Route begins and ends in Apache Junction, Arizona| Arizona | (air-i'-ZON-u') | The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada. |
. This 120 mile scenic route will
take you through deserts, mountains, by cliff dwellings, along lake shores,
through old mining towns and through beautifully eroded canyons. This popular
route has been used by tourists since 1922.
The State of Arizona| Arizona | (air-i'-ZON-u') | The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada. |
, under
the leadership of Governor George P. Hunt in 1919, decided to build a transportation
link between Phoenix and the cities of Globe and Miami. Governor Hunt wanted
to open the Globe and Miami copper industry to the Phoenix market. The
only road in 1919 linking these two important economic centers was the
Mesa-Roosevelt Road (Apache Trail| Apache Trail | (u'-PA'-chee TRA-i'l) | This road, also known as state route 88, links Apache Junction to Globe through the Superstition Mountains. It is approximately 40 miles of steep, winding, and mostly unpaved road. |
) or the long rail route through Tucson, Bowie and Safford.
The Apache Trail| Apache Trail | (u'-PA'-chee TRA-i'l) | This road, also known as state route 88, links Apache Junction to Globe through the Superstition Mountains. It is approximately 40 miles of steep, winding, and mostly unpaved road. |
was not an efficient roadway for moving goods from place to place.
The roadway originally was built as a haul and service road for the construction
and maintenance of Roosevelt Dam| Roosevelt Dam | (ROS-e'-ve'lt da'm) | Roosevelt Dam was originally constructed between 1905 and 1911 to control to the erratic flow of the Salt River and to harness the water for irrigation. The dam turned the Arizona desert into land that could be farmed. |
. For the most part the Apache Trail| Apache Trail | (u'-PA'-chee TRA-i'l) | This road, also known as state route 88, links Apache Junction to Globe through the Superstition Mountains. It is approximately 40 miles of steep, winding, and mostly unpaved road. |
was a single lane road with occasional
pull outs; however the roadway fascinated tourists who visited the area.
In 1919, there were several stations along the Apache Trail| Apache Trail | (u'-PA'-chee TRA-i'l) | This road, also known as state route 88, links Apache Junction to Globe through the Superstition Mountains. It is approximately 40 miles of steep, winding, and mostly unpaved road. |
. There was Government Well,
Mormon Flat| Mormon Flat | (MO'R-mo'n fla't) | A flat area of land along the Apache Trail. |
, Tortilla Flat| Tortilla Flat | (to'r-TE-ya'h fla't) | A small, flat area along the Apache Trail. This town was originally used as a stop between Phoenix and Roosevelt Dam during construction. |
, Fish Creek Lodge| Fish Creek Lodge | (fi'sh creek lo'j) | A lodge along the Apache Trail that burned down on January 6, 1929. |
and Snell's Station between Mesa and Roosevelt Dam| Roosevelt Dam | (ROS-e'-ve'lt da'm) | Roosevelt Dam was originally constructed between 1905 and 1911 to control to the erratic flow of the Salt River and to harness the water for irrigation. The dam turned the Arizona desert into land that could be farmed. |
. The completion of the Phoenix-Globe
Highway through Superior in May of 1922 completed the famous Circle Route
that allowed drivers of automobiles to circumnavigate the entire Superstition
Wilderness Area, an almost roadless region.
The overwhelming
presence of the Superstition Mountains| Superstition Mountains | (soo-pe'r-STI'-shu'n MAWN-ti'n) | A large mountain range making up the eastern edge of the Phoenix valley. |
is the main attraction of this area. It is maintained to
be the location for the famous Lost Dutchman Mine. Over the years, many
explorers have attempted to find the mine - all unsuccessfully - with some
losing their lives in the pursuit. Superstition Peak, 5,057 feet above
sea level, is the highest in the range, which was named by the local Pima
Indian Tribe.
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