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American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project
Internet Presentation
Version 061109
DEL RIO SPRINGS CEMETERY
Chino Valley, Arizona
THIS CEMETERY IS ON PROVATE PROPERTY
DO NOT TRESPASS
By: Cindy Enos – APCRP Certified Coordinator - Historian
Mary 29, 2009 found Bonnie Helten and I pulling
into McDonald’s parking lot at Chino Valley, Arizona. Ahead of schedule we
sat chatting about what to expect of the day while waiting to meet up with a
group from the Chino Valley Historical Society. We were both excited to be
invited to visit and research the historical Del Rio Springs Cemetery. Nor were
we disappointed in the day.
After their arrival and quick introduction we drove to the entrance of the
Del Rio Springs. Here, we met up with Paul Aslanian,
(photo left) who gave us access into the area which is all private land. The
members of the Chino Valley Historical Society were very concerned about trying
to preserve the historical cemetery. They believed the original cemetery was
larger than just the fenced area which our combined research proved this to be
correct.
Everyone from the historical society pitched in and went to work without
hesitation. Bobbi Wicks, Kay Lauster, Kay Jones, Sue
and Bill Mitchell had the perimeters paced off in no time at all. Bill
estimated the area to be about 400 ft. further around the fenced in area. Even
Paul chipped in and was a great supporter to researching this fascinating place
steeped in history.
L-R Bill Mitchell, Sue Mitchell, Kay Lauster,
Kay
Jones, Bobbi Wicks
Inside the wire fence contained a small decorative fence of marble and
pipe. A very special area containing that of the Shivers
women. Only one headstone and a memorial remain.
Also inside the wire fence remains one other marker. A wooden post wrapped
in metal inscribed with the date 1930. Although many other graves were inside
the fence, not all were visibly marked with stones.
There was also much discussion about future outings and possible
restoration of the cemetery. All agreed the deterioration or destruction of the
cemetery and surroundings farm buildings would be such a big historical loss.
We were invited to tour the rest of the settlement. Our guides were very
knowledgeable and informative of the whole area. The outing ended with a short
drive to the actual springs, which was still flowing with cool clear water. As
I bent down to touch flowing water I thought, what a wonderful and exciting
place this once was.
L-R. Sue Mitchell,
Bobbi Wicks, Cindy Enos
Photo’s:
courtesy Bonnie Helten
Del Rio Springs History
East of US 89 along
the Santa Fe line, is Del Rio Springs, the site of the original Fort Whipple.
Soldiers camped at this site in 1864 prior to the establishment of a new Fort
Whipple on the outskirts of the new territorial capital at Prescott. Territorial officials also set up a temporary
capital at this site while they looked for a more suitable place closer to the
gold prospectors on Granite Creek. After
the troops withdrew, an ex-soldier named Robert Postle
filed a claim at the site.
Casa Del Rio
Photo: Courtesy Bobbi Wicks
Robert Postle
moved into this adobe house in 1864.
It burned down in the 1960’s
All that remains of Case Del Rio, May
2009
Photo: Courtesy Bonnie Helten
Barns in the above photo were build in
1909-1912
The ranch supplied beef, milk &
eggs to the
Western division of the Harvey House.
Photo: Courtesy Bonnie Helten May 2009
In
1867 a family of immigrants named Shivers passed through and stayed briefly. When
the Shivers moved on, one of their daughters, fourteen- year- old Hannah, remained with Postle. They
had several children before he died, leaving Hannah a widow at the age of
nineteen. This remarkable young lady improved her homestead-she built a large,
comfortable adobe house, and lived out her life at Del Rio Springs.
Following
the fire that wiped out Prescott’s business district in 1900 a water line was
run out of the springs. A huge ranch was run by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1910 -
it was used to raise livestock for the Fred Harvey houses along the main line. Also,
a train hauled water to both Ash Fork and Grand Canyon Village each day from
the springs. An agreement existed between the company and the union that even
during a strike, the water train would still haul water to the thirsty
communities along the line. During the off season, mules from the Grand Canyon
were pastured at the ranch while they recuperated from hauling tourists.
Roadside History of Arizona
By
Marshall Trimble
Reproduction
of this article was approved by Marshall Trimble
|
Del Rio Springs Ranch, Photo: Courtesy Bonnie Helten, May 2009 |
Del Rio Springs, Photo: Courtesy Cindy Enos, May 2009 |
Echoes of the Past
By
Yavapai
Cow Belles
......
Upon a wind-swept knoll, almost in sight of the historic house, (no longer
there) there is a marble monument marking the burial ground of the family of
Shivers. It is believed that one of the
unidentified graves that are in evidence about the
central marble shaft, is the final resting place of Hannah Shivers Postle Rees. On one face of the marble is plainly inscribed
the name of her mother, Mrs. D. W. Shivers: born March 18, 1830; died March 9,
1899. On another face are names believed to that of her brother, John and his
wife. One of the footstones marks the grave of her father, D. W. Shivers.
An
observer who kneels to peer closely at the weathered lettering upon the base of
the monument on the northward side may read in letters almost defaced by time:
The light of her young life went down
As sinks behind the hills
The glory of a setting star-clear,
Suddenly, and still.
That
might have been said of Hannah, because-whichever her particular plot may be in
relation to the marble monument marking the general family burial area-we are
assured that Hannah lies not far from the historic house which was her home,
and almost within sound of the gurgling waters of the great Del Rio Springs
which we know as a source of water historically important in the development of
a part of the West-but which was beloved by Hannah as the spring which watered
her home- stead on the Arizona frontier at Casa Del Rio.....
Photo:
Courtesy Bobbi Wicks
American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project
Internet Presentation
Version 061109
WebMaster: Neal Du Shane
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Neal Du Shane
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