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ARIZONA AND THE NATIVE AMERICANS
The state of Arizona has 21 Federally Recognized Tribal Communities. These "Native Americans" inhabit a significant part of the land not privately held in the state. Privately held land in Arizona is only 17% of the overall land mass. the Navajo Nation, just one of the 21 Tribal Communities, occupies 27,000 square miles (about the size of the State of West Virginia). This community extends into the neighboring states of New Mexico and Utah. The total square miles of "Land Mass" of the Navajo Nation is larger in size than each of 10 of our "smaller" U.S. states. THE SCOTTSDALE "GREENBELT" First of all the "Greenbelt" is not a fashion statement. To understand the conception and development of the world famous Scottsdale "Greenbelt" we must first take a look at Scottsdale it it's infancy - (1950: population - 2,000). At that time, the Indian Bend Wash occupied a 7 mile stretch cutting a north/south path through the middle of town. Overgrown with weeds and mesquite during dry periods, it contrasted sharply with the neatly groomed homes nearby. During the monsoon, floodwater rampaged over it's banks into nearby residential areas and kept some residents from vital services. In 1961, the Army Corps of Engineers came up with a plan (later approved by congress) that suggested building a concrete channel on the site of the wash - seven miles long and emptying into the Salt River to the south. The citizens of Scottsdale didn't want this "scar" running the length of, what was then, the "City". So the idea of a "greenbelt" area, servicing the recreational activities of the citizens in drier times and channeling floodwaters during the monsoon, was conceived. With the cooperation of the Scottsdale City Council staff and citizens groups the Corp was pursuaded that the concept could work. In 1973, Scottsdale citizens approved a $10 million bond issue for flood control. Private developers quickly became interested in the prospect of building apartments, condominimums and single family homes with a view of the new "Greenbelt" - and so the project began. Today this "Greenbelt" is within walking distance of 60,000 of Scottsdale's residents. Its bike/walking paths, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, fishing lakes and sports fields serve approximately 1 million people annually. THE PHOENIX SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK This park consists of 1600+ acres and is the largest municipal park in the world. THE BATTLE OF PICACHO PEAK In the spring of 1862, Confederate and Union forces clashed at the foot of the ancient Picacho Peak. this skirmish is generally referred to as "The Westernmost Battle of the Civil War". Three Union soldiers lost their lives before the Confederates retreated. Monuments dedicated to the battle are located south of I-10 in Picacho State Park. THE SAGUARO CACTI Saguaros (pronounced - sa-wa-row) grow only in the Sonoran Desert. This majestic sentinental is found in vast expanses of Arizona Desert, Sonora, Mexico and a few small pockets of California near the Colorado River. Saguaros grow very slowly. In the most favorable environment, it will take 35 years for the plant to reach 6 feet. The plant doesn't begin to grow branches (called "arms") until it reaches at lease 55 years of age. A saguaro can grow up to 50 feet tall. Since saguaro tissue may be 85% water; a large cactus may weigh 10 tons. Saguaros are "protected" throughout Arizona. THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL The "Gunfight at the OK Corral" gives Tombstone, AZ, most of it's notoriety. The actual location of the "Shoot-Out" was near the corner of Fremont and Third Streets. On October 26, 1881, the confrontation grew out of a long and bitter struggle for power among three parties in Cochise County: The Earp brothers and their allies, including Doc Holliday, Mayor John Clum and Sheriff Johnny Behan (leader of the Democratic Party machine) and the Clanton gang (cattle rustlers who portrayed themselves as honest ranchers). Behan sided with the Clantons, probably in part because a woman he loved (Josephine Sarah Marcus) was in love with Wyatt Earp). The night before the shootout, Ike Clanton and Doc Holliday had a verbal comfrontation. The next morning, Clanton went gunning for Holliday and was arrested for carrying firearms. Soon the other Clantons and the Earps faced off. Some of the Clanton gang turned tail and ran before the shooting started; the three who didn't soon lay dead in the street. Two of the Earps, Virgil and Morgan, and Doc Holliday were also wounded. The Clanton gang then turned to ambush tactics. On December 14, and unknown assailant fired at Mayor John Clum. Two weeks later a full load of buckshot crippled Virgil Earp. The final blow came on March 18, 1882, when someone shot Morgan Earp to death in an Allen Street pool hall. Since Wyatt Earp could expect no justice from Sheriff Behan, he went on a personal vendetta outside the law, and within a week, suspects Frank Stilwell, Florentino Cruz and outlaw leader Curly Bill Brocius were dead. The turmoil in Cochise County was so great, President Chester A. Arthur threatened to proclaim martial law. With his life in danger as long as he remained in Arizona, Wyatt Earp left for Colorado. Some say he never returned. Others believe he came back in July and gunned down another old nemesis, Johnny Ringo, up at Turkey Creek.
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