|
Apache Trail • Goldfield • Tortilla Flat • Roosevelt Dam • Indian Ruins • Sunset Route
History of the Apache Trail
- story
by: Tom Kollenborn
The
Apache Trail's famous Circle Route begins and ends in Apache
Junction, Arizona. This 120 mile scenic route is America's oldest
roadway and Arizona’s first Historic Highway. The Apache Trail
received that honor on February 25th, 1987. In fact, the Apache
Trail has the distinction of being the only recognized Historic and
Scenic Highway in Arizona.
The Apache Trail 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 1915.
The
State of Arizona, 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) or the long rail route through
Tucson, Bowie and Safford.
The
Apache Trail 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.
For the most part the Apache Trail 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 that
serviced the tourist making the long journey by way of motorcar.
There was Government Well, Mormon Flat,
Tortilla Flat, Fish Creek Lodge and
Snell's Station between Mesa and Roosevelt Dam. 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
road-less region.
*****
Reserve your 1915 Apache Trail Tour Today!
Now
taking reservations for the 2008/2009 season.
Tours run from
Sept. 27,
2008
to
May 31,
2009
Phone:
(480)288-7480 |
Internet Request Form
|