Pace of Decline In Home Prices Sets a Record
By JAMES R. HAGERTY and KELLY EVANS
Wall Street Journal
A closely watched gauge of U.S. home prices shows they are falling sharply across most of the nation, as a deepening slump in the housing market threatens to damp consumer spending.
Home prices in 10 major metropolitan areas in October were down 6.7% from a year earlier, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price indexes, released yesterday by credit-rating firm Standard & Poor’s. That exceeded the previous record year-to-year decline of 6.3% in April 1991, when the economy was emerging from a recession.
New statistics from the Census Bureau, meanwhile, indicate a slowdown in the number of Americans moving to states that led the housing boom, including Nevada, Florida and Arizona.
The silver lining behind the latest home-price data is that they signal the market is making what most economists see as a necessary adjustment, dragging home prices back into closer alignment with Americans’ ability to pay. The market is working its way “back to reality,” says David Seiders, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. He thinks house prices will bottom out by early 2009.
Some other economists say that might not happen before 2010. “The housing shock is only about halfway over, and housing prices will continue to fall well into 2009,” says Lehman Brothers economist Michelle Meyer.
During the housing boom in the first half of this decade, fast-rising home prices made it easy for homeowners to take out home-equity loans or refinance their primary mortgages to extract some cash. That helped sustain consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of U.S. economic activity.
Economists now worry that falling home prices will prompt consumers to pull back on spending enough to slow growth or even tip the economy into recession. “Eventually what’s happening in the housing market is going to catch up with us,” says Patrick Newport, an economist at research-firm Global Insight Inc.
Fears of a sharp drop in consumption were assuaged somewhat last week when the government reported that consumer spending in November grew at the fastest pace in 3½ years. And though holiday sales fell short of retailers’ expectations, consumers, spurred by discounts, spent heavily in the final days before Christmas. Economists say that even if overall spending slows in December, the strength seen in October and November would be enough to keep the economy afloat in the near term.
“The most important determinant of [spending] is always income,” says Harm Bandholz, an economist at UniCredit in New York. He said that Americans’ disposable income has risen a “solid” 2.5% over last year. He and others say that as long as the job market holds up and incomes keep growing, Americans will continue to spend.
The S&P/Case-Shiller index showed that some of the fastest declines in home prices are in metropolitan areas that were among the hottest during the housing boom. Prices were down 12.4% from a year earlier in Miami, 11.1% in San Diego, 10.7% in Las Vegas and 10.6% in Phoenix.
Home prices are still up from a year ago in some cities, such as Seattle and Charlotte, N.C. And people who bought their homes several years ago still are sitting on sizable gains in most of the country.
The boom more than doubled prices in many populous areas near the coasts. The run-up was fueled in part by unusually low interest rates, which slashed the cost of monthly mortgage payments. In addition, in the wake of the technology-stock bubble, many Americans viewed real estate as a safer investment than stocks, and so poured increasing sums into second homes and rental properties. Home sales began to slow in mid-2005. Prices leveled off and then started declining in 2006. Over the past year, mortgage defaults have soared, leading to rapid growth in foreclosures.
Bette Zerba, a Realtor with Re/Max in Phoenix, says local residents trying to sell their homes can’t compete with foreclosed homes selling for $50,000 to $100,000 less than theirs. “The sellers now are having to reduce their prices by 20% to 30% to compete,” she says.
As the market adjusts, single-family housing starts have fallen 55% from their January 2006 peak to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 829,000. In recent months, lenders and investors have begun owning up to billions of dollars of losses on mortgages and related securities, clearing the decks for an eventual revival in lending.
But the recovery of the housing market is likely to be a gradual process. That’s partly because the boom left prices so far out of whack with incomes. As measured by the S&P/Case-Shiller national index, home prices jumped 74% in the six years through 2006. During the same period, U.S. median household income rose 15%. (Neither figure is adjusted for inflation.) That made housing unaffordable for many Americans.
For a few years, lax lending standards — some loans required no down payments and offered low introductory interest rates — meant borrowers could buy more expensive houses than they could really afford. But lenders have been burned by a surge in defaults that started in 2006, and such mortgages generally are no longer available. That means house prices will have to fall to a level potential buyers can afford.
Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com, a research firm in West Chester, Pa., predicts that on average U.S. house prices will decline about 12% by the second quarter of 2009 from their peak in the second quarter of 2006. He expects household income to rise by about the same amount over that period.
Signs of this adjustment are apparent in the latest quarterly analysis of house prices by National City Corp., a Cleveland banking concern, and Global Insight. Economists at the two firms look at home prices in relation to household income and other factors, including population density (an indication of how much land is available) and past differences in prices caused by factors like climate and schools. In the third quarter, they found, prices in 38 of the nation’s 330 metro areas were more than 33% above a level that could be explained by fundamental drivers of housing costs. That was down from 48 metro areas in this “overvalued” category in the second quarter.
“Parts of the housing market are scratching bottom right now,” says Richard DeKaser, chief economist at National City. Sales of new and existing homes are down about 32% from their mid-2005 peak, he says, and probably won’t fall much further before leveling off or starting to recover slowly.
Prices of new homes are likely to start recovering in the first half of 2008 because builders are aggressively chopping prices to clear inventories, says Edward Leamer, an economics professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Recent price cuts by builders may have reduced demand in the short term because they encourage potential buyers to expect further discounts.
But prices of previously occupied homes are likely to continue falling slowly for several years, Prof. Leamer says. That’s because people trying to sell their homes often don’t have an urgent need to move, and try to hold out for a price they consider fair.
On average, prices of previously occupied homes, as measured by the S&P/Case-Shiller indexes, are likely to drop another 7% in 2008 before flattening out in 2009, says Thomas Lawler, a housing economist in Vienna, Va.
Inventories of unsold homes remain very high and may increase in the new year as lenders dump more foreclosed houses on the market. The number of detached single-family homes listed for sale in October was enough to last 10½ months at the current sales rate, according to the National Association of Realtors. That was more than double the level of two years ago and the highest since 1985.
Along with inventories, the nation’s home ownership rate will have to adjust to today’s realities as many Americans who stretched too far to buy homes in recent years go back to renting. The home ownership rate in the third quarter stood at 68.2% of households, down from a peak of 69.2% in 2004. Even a small drop in that rate has a big effect on housing demand. Economists at Goldman Sachs have warned that falling home ownership rates may force a further 40% drop in housing starts next year, to an annual rate as low as 500,000 units, before construction starts to recover.
The mortgage market also needs to adjust further. Most of the funding for home loans comes from investors who buy securities backed by bundles of mortgages. Since August, many of those investors have shunned the market amid fears of rising defaults. As a result, lenders generally are focusing on loans that can be sold to government-sponsored investors Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or insured by the Federal Housing Administration. So-called jumbo loans — those above $417,000, too big to be sold to Fannie or Freddie — have grown much more expensive, deterring buyers in high-cost areas.
The current scarcity of funds available for mortgage lending creates a chicken-and-egg situation, says Prof. Leamer. Investors who provide funding for home loans don’t want to commit more money until they believe the housing market is getting better. But it’s hard for the housing market to rebound as long as mortgage credit is tight. Lower prices eventually will break this impasse, by luring buyers back into the market and reassuring investors that the market is finding a bottom, he says.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Pace of Decline In Home Prices Sets a Record. Great Deals For Home Buyers
Monday, March 24, 2008
10 Fun Things To Do In Wickenburg Arizona
10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN WICKENBURG AZ
1. Be inspired by a performance at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts.
2. Visit the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, a showcase for Western and Southwestern art, and discover schedule Western exhibits and activities.
3. Enjoy works by local, regional and national Western artists at various galleries.
4. Tour the historic Vulture Mine and learn about the rich gold strike.
5. Check out the lush riparian area called the Hassayampa River Preserve, where water rises above ground, and hiking trails take you around the preserve area.
6. Grab a bag if popcorn and a Coke, lean back and enjoy a popular movie in the historic Saguaro Theatre.
7. Our many outdoor activities can provide you relaxing fun on the golf course, hiking trails, jeep tours, horseback rides, ropings and rodeos throughout the year.
8. Visit Robson’s Arizona Mining World, a restored early 1900s mining camp with the largest collection of mining equipment in the world.
9. Capture the real West when you stay at any of our local dude ranches.
10. Feel the genuine Western hospitality of this 143-year-old community, by taking the Historical Walking Tour through downtown.
Sedona AZ Webcams. Sedona AZ Online Videos
Sedona AZ Webcams. Sedona AZ Online Videos
Check out Live Sedona Views:
Gateway to Sedona Webcam
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Virtual Tours of Sedona
Virtual Tours of Sedona #2
Check out Sedona Online Videos:
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Photo Gallery
The winding road that leads into the heart of Sedona establishes a certain provocative rhythm captured in the cliffs of soaring sandstone, stands of pine, and distant mountains that greet every visitor. Awakened by the desert light, the intense color evokes a visceral response as your senses open to the sheer beauty and serenity of Sedona.
Nestled in the heart of red rock country, guarded by the Mogollon Rim and surrounded by the towering formations of red sandstone, Sedona is a delightful transition between desert and mountain. Sedona offers a charming combination of blue, clear sky, the breathtaking scenery of Oak Creek Canyon with its rushing waters and the brilliant red rocks sculptured by Nature at her finest. A near-perfect climate offers distinct but moderate seasons. World class amenities are enhanced by the spectacular setting, a rich creative atmosphere and a location central to northern Arizona’s major attractions.
The Sedona experience includes fine dining and accommodations, superb shopping, galleries abundant with art, native American jewelry, sculptures and much more; mystical energy, rejuvenating spas or invigorating outdoor recreation – all in the Most Beautiful Place in America – USA Weekend, 2003.
A mere 2 hours from Phoenix, Sedona is an extraordinary place to spend a few days hiking, sightseeing, shopping, dining, exploring, and relaxing. Sedona’s red rocks are a reminder of nature’s power – red sandstone spires surround you as you hike or bike the natural wonders of the area. From easy to difficult, Sedona’s hiking trails offer opportunities for everyone’s abilities. While in Sedona you can walk to a natural carved arch or trod the paths of the ancient Anasazi. View the red rocks and canyons from a hot air balloon, plane, or helicopter. Explore the rugged terrain of the back-country by jeep or ride horseback or take guided tours to the region’s many historical and cultural sites or plan your own itinerary. Be sure to include the prominent shopping districts of Hillside Sedona, Uptown & West Sedona, Prime Outlets and Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.
Sedona slips the visitor into another world – a world surrounded by scenic beauty, apart from the mainstream…and altogether extraordinary.
Prescott Arizona. Life In Prescott AZ
Housing City stats
Median home price $273,826
Home price gain (2004-2005) 23.42
The towns of Prescott Valley (7 miles east) and Chino Valley (16 miles north), and Prescott, together make up the area known locally as the "Tri-City" area. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe reservation is located next to, and partially within, the borders of Prescott. The weather conditions are favorable owing to the altitude of 5354 ft, being significantly cooler than the lower southern areas of the state and yet without the harsh winters found at higher altitudes.
Prescott has many Victorian homes and has been remarked to be the most Midwestern-appearing city in the Southwest, and it has 525 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Prescott is home to the historical area known as "Whiskey Row", until 1956 a notorious red-light district. There was a great fire in 1900 that destroyed most of the buildings on Whiskey Row. As legend has it, the patrons of the various bars simply took their drinks across the street to the Courthouse square and watched it burn. At the time of the fire the entire bar and back-bar of the Palace Hotel was removed by the patrons as the fire approached, and re-installed after the gutted brick structure was rebuilt. (The size of the back-bar is impressive, and appears not easily moved, even by many hands.) Whiskey Row runs north and south on N. Montezuma between Gurley and Goodwin St., directly west of the county courthouse. This single city block has been the home of the St. Michael's Hotel and the Palace Hotel since the late 1800s along with other colorful purveyors of night-life. Merchant Sam Hill's hardware store was located near Whiskey Row, famous for its extensive stock in its downtown location and out of town warehouse.
Prescott is home to The Arizona Pioneers’ Home, a continuing care retirement home, operated and funded by the State of Arizona, originally intended for impoverished Arizona founders from Territorial days. Initially the home was built to house 40 men, but in 1916 an addition of a women’s wing was completed to provide for 20 women. Later, in 1929, the home was again expanded to include Arizona’s Hospital for Disabled Miners (current total capacity is 150 beds). Scenes in the movie "Jolene" were filmed in the Pioneer's Home in 2006. The Home has had many colorful residents, including a John Miller who had claimed to be Billy the Kid, and who was exhumed from the Pioneer's Home Cemetery in 2005, in an attempt to identify DNA evidence. Another resident was "Big Nose Kate" Elder, who would also be laid to rest in the Pioneer's Home Cemetery, though without controversy.
Prescott hosts annual events such as Frontier Days, The World's Oldest Rodeo (1888), the Bluegrass Festival, Earth Day, Tsunami on the Square, art festivals, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Shakespeare Festival, Navajo Rug Auction, World’s Largest Gingerbread Village (actually on the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe reservation), Prescott Film Fest, Folk Arts Fair, parades, the Acker Music Festival, The Cowboy Poets Gathering, the Prescott Highland Games and several marathons. Also located in Prescott is the Heritage Park Zoo.
AZ Route 66. Attractions Along Arizona Route 66
Arizona Route 66. Attractions Along Arizona Route 66
Petrified Forest National Park
Located at the southern end of the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest features remnants of prehistoric petrified wood and ancient Indian ruins.
Meteor Crater
See where a big meteor crashed here over 50,000 years ago.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Enjoy the upclose history of 800 year-old cliff dwelling ruins and great hiking within picturesque landscape.
Flagstaff, Arizona
High Ponderosa Pine country in bustling Flagstaff, Arizona home to Northern Arizona University, unlimited attractions, mountain golf and the Snow Bowl ski area and tram. Its San Francisco Peak at over 12,000 feet is the highest point on the entire Route 66.
Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon
Sedona, Arizona and picturesque Oak Creek Canyon lies about 20 miles south of Flagstaff down 89A described by Rand McNally a one of America's most scenic drives.
Williams, Arizona
The flavor of the old west still exists in this pine-forested small town, gateway to the Grand Canyon and home of the Grand Canyon Railroad scenic adventure to the South Rim of the Canyon.
Seligman, Arizona
An atmospheric town where the Aubrey Cliffs approach. Seligman features only a few hundred residents, a few gift shops and vintage rusting cars.
Grand Canyon Caverns
Although not connected to the Grand Canyon, the caverns feature an underground trail reached by elevator giving close views of nature's cavern formations. There are suitable areas for camping.
Peach Springs
Peach Springs is the tribal headquarters of the Haulapai Indian Reservation. An unpaved Buck and Doe Road that is not recommended during and after rainstorms descends along Peach Springs Canyon a scenic drive that ends at a Colorado River beach within the West Rim area of the Grand Canyon. Just out of Peach Springs a paved turnoff leads through rolling hills to Havasu Canyon, a branch of the Grand Canyon.
Kingman, Arizona
Kingman is a modern day larger, small town that is home to the Historic Route 66 Museum and gateway to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Oatman, Arizona
This one-time gold mine boomtown turned ghost town and now a tourist stop features wild-roaming burros and souvenir shops. Experience an important chuck of Arizona history.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Flagstaff Arizona. Life in Flagstaff Arizona. Flagstaff Real Estate
Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the continental United States. Flagstaff is located adjacent to Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (3,850 m), is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Flagstaff.
There are many rich and rewarding discoveries to be made in the neighborhood of Flagstaff, Arizona. From the signature scenery of the American West in places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona to undiscovered treasure that may be found at a local jewelry store or performance venue. With a little planning, Flagstaff makes the perfect home base from which to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. It's also an intimate and comfortable small town that welcomes its guests with great food, comfortable lodging and vibrant entertainment.
Some of the West's most beautiful country surrounds Flagstaff — from the alpine forests of our San Francisco Peaks (12,633 feet; 3,851 meters) to the rugged deserts of neighboring Native American nations. The Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater and Meteor Crater are all within easy driving distance, as are many archaeological treasures.
Located along a pioneer trail, the city was first a stop for travelers on horseback, then by rail and later by car on Route 66 and Interstate 40. The landmark peaks were an important landmark to travelers and even before the arrival of the railway adventurous visitors were using it as a jumping off point for exploring the Grand Canyon and other not area attractions. Other surprising bits of history include a connection to the Apollo space missions and Hollywood.
Downtown Flagstaff lies immediately to the east of Mars Hill, the location of Lowell Observatory. Streets in the downtown area are laid out in a grid pattern, parallel to Route 66 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Line, running east-west through the city. Milton Road branches off from Route 66 west of downtown, and travels south, adjacent to the Northern Arizona University campus, to the junction of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40. Milton continues to the south, becoming Arizona State Route 89A, and traveling through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. Traveling north from downtown, Fort Valley Road (U.S. 180) connects with the Museum of Northern Arizona, Arizona Snowbowl, and Grand Canyon National Park. Traveling east from downtown, Route 66 and the railroad run in parallel toward East Flagstaff (and beyond), at the base of Mount Elden. Much of Flagstaff's industry is located east of downtown, adjacent to the railroad tracks, as well as in East Flagstaff.
Several towns are located close to Flagstaff along Interstates 40 and 17. Approximately 6 miles south are the small urban areas of Kachina Village (west of I-17) and Mountainaire, Arizona (east of I-17; 2 miles). Both of these areas were built in the early 1960's as second homes for people escaping the Phoenix heat in summer. Recently these areas are now permanent all-year-round housing. About 35 miles (56 km) to the west is Williams, 20 miles (32 km) to the south is Munds Park, which sports a great semi-public Golf Course called Pinewood, and 30 miles (48 km) to the south on AZ HWY 89a is Sedona. 15 miles (24 km) to the east of Flagstaff is the town of Winona, mentioned in the famous song, Route 66. Holbrook is 90 miles (144 km) to the east.
Flagstaff Climate
Flagstaff has a highland semi-arid climate (Koppen climate classification BSk) with four distinct seasons. The combination of high altitude and low humidity provide mild weather conditions throughout most of the year, and the predominantly clear air radiates daytime heating effectively. Temperatures often fall precipitously after sunset throughout the year, and winter nights can be very cold. Winter weather patterns in Flagstaff are cyclonic and frontal in nature, originating in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These deliver periodic, widespread snowfall followed by extended periods of fair weather. This pattern is usually broken by brief, but often intense, afternoon rain showers and dramatic thunderstorms common during the so-called monsoon season of July and August. Summer temperatures are moderate and high temperatures average around 80 °F.[5] The record high temperature is 97.0 °F (36.1 °C) on July 5, 1973, and the record low temperature was -30 °F (-34.4 °C) on February 1, 1985.
The average annual rainfall is 22.91 inches (58.2 cm) and annual snowfall averages 100 inches (254 cm). Overall, the city enjoys an average of 283 days without precipitation each year, and the climate is officially classified as "semi-arid." Although snow often covers the ground for weeks after major winter storms, Flagstaff's relatively low latitude and plentiful winter sunshine quickly melt much of what falls, and persistent deep snowpack is unusual.[5] One notable exception occurred during the severe winter of 1915-1916, when successive Pacific storms buried the city under nearly seven feet (2 m) of snow, and some residents were snowbound in their homes for more than one week.
Early History of Flagstaff
Between 1856 and 1870, Lt. Edward Beale scouted a trail across the Southwest that would later bear his name. In 1876, a group of pioneers traveling the Beale road stopped on the Fourth of July and made camp at a spring in the shadow of the San Francisco Peaks. To celebrate the centennial of the nation, they stripped the limbs from a tall pine and raised the flag. Over the years, many travelers stopped near the tall "flag-staff," these pioneers had raised and the name stuck.
History of the Railroad
Like many western towns, the arrival of the railroad marked a turning point in the history of Flagstaff. Prior to the arrival of the train, the city was little more than a campsite along a pioneer trail. The train gave shepherds, loggers and cattlemen access to markets for their products, and those industries soon thrived in this region. The train also brought in visitors from around the world, who used Flagstaff as a jumping-off point for a stage ride to Grand Canyon.
History of the San Francisco Peaks
The remainders of an ancient volcano, the six San Francisco Peaks are the highest mountains in Arizona. These majestic peaks dominate the skyline throughout northern Arizona and have played an important role in the lives of people for as long as they have inhabited the region.
Peeples Valley Northern Arizona. Living in Peeples Valley AZ
Peeples Valley is an unincorporated town that has its roots in mining and ranching. Today Peeples and population is 1,315, which is a combined total with the town of Yarnell. The town sits at an elevation of 4,780 feet. The climate is mild all year round with a winter low temperature of 23 degrees and summer high temperature of 89 degrees. It is the place to visit when searching for real peace and quiet, in an attractive rural setting with cool fresh air. It is said that Peeples Valley is and Where the Desert Breeze meets the Mountain Air. and
Today, Peeples Valley remains a cattle ranching area. The Hays Cattle Company runs its cattle just outside of town and is noted as being one of Arizona and most historic ranches. The ranch and br and the Bar-Muleshoe-Bar dates back to 1876. The Hays Cattle Company has owned the ranch since 1912 and is operated by John Hays. While taking the highway through town, you will spot the cattle and horses roaming the land.
The climb up Yarnell Hill is one of the most breathtaking stretches of highway in Arizona, soaring 2500 feet up the side of Table Top mountain in a scant four miles. At the top is Yarnell; a quiet, friendly village nestled in a gently sloping dell sandwiched between two towering ridges of the Weaver Mountains, overlooked by Antelope Peak. Twenty five miles north of Wickenburg and thirty three miles south of Prescott, it is far from city pollution and frenzy, yet within convenient reach of larger metropolitan areas. The scenery is a picturesque patchwork of green and gray, with mammoth granite boulders throughout the verdant growth of Oak, Hackberry and Chaparral, as if strewn in casual disarray by a giant and artistic hand. Three miles to the north lies the lush, rolling pastureland of Peeples Valley, with horses and cattle grazing among the giant Cottonwood trees and wandering brooks (during rainy seasons). Pinion Pine and Black Walnut trees dot the hillsides. Among the many ranches scattered throughout the area, are the Peeples Valley subdivisions with a smattering of full time residents and weekend/summer people. Immediately south of Yarnell looms "The Hill" and the limitless miles of desert carpet stretched out beIow. A scenic overlook on Highway 89 two miles south of town offers a view of Wickenburg, Congress, gold mines and the ghost towns of Stanton and Octave - a stunning expanse 2500 feet below. Majestic sunsets can be enjoyed from this desert view.
Altitude and location give Yarnell--Peeples Valley year-round climatic advantages not found elsewhere. Its 4800 feet is high enough to ward off the searing heat of the desert, yet low enough to escape the rigorous winters of the higher mountain country. Cool summers result from the desert breeze encountering the mountain air. Snow blankets the area a few times during the winter season, but seldom sticks more than a few hours or days. Annual rainfall averages fourteen inches, keeping the landscape lush and green. Yarnell--Peeples Valley can be enjoyed year-round. Many people from the desert areas find this a great place for week-end and summer homes. This unique valley is an ideal place to relax, a restful area for retirement or year-round living. Drinking water in Yarnell--Peeples Valley is pure and soft, coming from cold, natural, spring- fed wells needing no additives and it is approved by the State Board of Health.
Wildlife abounds in the natural surroundings. Scampering through the bushes are rabbits, gray foxes, skunks, ring-tailed cats, chipmunks and squirrels. Deer can be seen grazing throughout the area in pastures, peoples yards or wandering through town. Javelinas, porcupines, bobcats and coyotes are often glimpsed as you hike the trails. Hummingbirds play in the spray of sprinklers or flit among the flowers. Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Meadowlarks, Redwing Blackbirds, Orioles, Phainopeplas, Oregon juncos, Rufous Sided Towhees and an array of other colorful birds are observed here. Fifty-nine different varieties migrate through or reside year-round. Watch Red Tail Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Crows and many other raptors soar above, catching the wind currents as they glide, twisting, drifting, endlessly searching the earth below.
Hidden Springs Ranch, located on Highway 89 in Peeples Valley, is owned by Bob and Mary Ellen McKee. The ranch is a breeding and training facility for thoroughbred race horses. It was built on property once owned by pioneer Charles B. Genung. Hays Cattle Company owned and operated by John Hays, was established in Peeples Valley in 1912. John Hays was an Arizona Senator. Rex Maughan, Entrepreneur has bought several cattle ranches in the area and is keeping them as working cattle ranches. He has repaired the ranch houses and built new fences, along Highway 89. Cattle and horses can be seen from the highway, grazing in various pastures on the ranches year around.
Businesses are here to serve the residents and visitors. They include a grocery store, a bank, a library, a TV service with video rentals, a saddle shop, a senior center, 3 realty firms, 2 service stations/convenient stores, antique shops, motels/lodging, a well stocked hardware store, beauty salons, art & gift shops, a health clinic, a chiropractor, a massage therapist, trailer parks, bars, a veterinarian, american legion, several churches, a bakery, eating establishments, cable TV service (yarnell only), storage rentals and much more.
In Yarnell, the beautiful Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains is in a tree shaded grotto amid oak trees and granite boulders. This park-like area on Shrine Road, features larger than life statues along a trail where visitors pray or meditate in a natural atmosphere of serene tranquility. The statues tell the story of the life of Christ and were sculptured from reinforced concrete by Felix Lucero of Tucson, veteran of World War I, who was employed for this project by the Catholic Action League of Arizona.
Source:.y-pvchamber.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Congress Arizona. Frog makes a splash in Congress, AZ
Town adopts rock amphibian
Around these parts, Rose Mary Goodson has the dubious distinction of being known as "the lady who fell off the frog."
She chuckles about the incident now, but it must have been frightening at the time. Goodson fell more than 15 feet and landed on a rock pile. "But I didn't spill any of the paint," she said. "Not a drop." Obviously, we're not talking about an ordinary frog here.
No, indeedy, amphibian fans.
This one weighs probably 60 tons and stands (or squats) more than 16 feet tall.
And it's solid rock.
The frog is a Congress landmark. It had existed in its natural state from prehistoric times until about 1928, when it underwent a wondrous metamorphosis from rock to art.
Originally, it was nothing more than a huge boulder perched on a hillside amid several other large rocks. Then along came Sara Perkins, a homesteader's wife who observed that this particular rock, when viewed from the proper angle, resembled a frog.
She told her husband, Eli, about it, but he wasn't as much of a visionary as his wife, so the story goes. He was also very busy with his work as a newspaperman - at various times, he owned both The Phoenix Gazette and The Wickenburg Sun - and as a state legislator. But he did suggest that a paint job would make the rock look more like a frog. His wife and their two sons hauled three large cans of paint and a ladder up the steep incline, and within weeks:
Voila! A rock became a frog.
Sara Perkins and the boys gave the rock a coat of frog-green paint on top, then added a white underbelly, black spots and such other frog necessities as a mouth and eyes. It was an instant tourist attraction. In those days, U.S. 89 was the main route between Phoenix and Prescott, and the huge frog dominated the skyline as the road passed through the desert community of Congress.
Sara kept the frog brightly painted for years, and when she grew too old to take care of it, her son John took up the task. And when the Perkins family left the area, the townspeople became the unofficial Keepers of the Croaker.
Rose Mary Goodson was acting in that capacity in 1994 when she took the tumble that earned her a mild case of infamy.
"Oh, it was a terrible spill," she recalled during a recent trek up to the frog. "As you can see, you can't reach the top without a ladder, so I had to drag one up here. I fell off one evening and landed right here, on these rocks. But I only received a small scratch."
Goodson was 76 at the time. She had moved to Congress from South Dakota in 1980 to expand her career as an artist. In 1995, she also wrote and published The Story of Congress: Arizona's Premier Gold Camp, an 80-page booklet.
"Nobody else had ever written a history of Congress," she explained, "so I figured I'd better do it while I had the time."
The work has undergone two printings; Goodson says she has sold more than 5,000 copies.
In her account of the frog's origins, she notes that there are two graves nearby. William Miller, who lived in the area for many years, often asked to be buried near the site. His wish was fulfilled after his death on Jan. 19, 1940. The second grave is occupied by his dog. The townspeople thought it fitting that the two be buried next to each other. An unimposing white headstone marks their joint grave.
And now, there's a small metal plaque attached to the lower extremities of the frog. It reads, "Jerry (Frog) Owens 1995." Goodson said that Owens' ashes were scattered near the frog but that nobody in Congress knows why.
The frog has been painted twice since Goodson's tumble, both times by George and Mavis Carter, who retired to Congress from the Valley.
"We did it as a church project," George explained. "The Church of Latter-day Saints set aside a day for service hours. Everybody else went to Wickenburg to clean up the cemetery, but we decided to do something for Congress. That frog is important to us."
It's not an easy task, painting a 60-ton frog. First, there's the barbed-wire fence that has to be scaled, a feat made even more difficult when the scalers are lugging an extension ladder and several buckets of paint. Then it's a rugged climb up to the creature, and at the top, there are few places to anchor a ladder.
The Carters had to accomplish the feat twice. Their first effort was ruined by vandals who defaced the frog with spray paint. So they painted it all over again.
The frog is on the west side of U.S. 89 north of downtown Congress. It's about a hoot 'n' a holler across the road from the Arrowhead Cafe.
(This article was originally published Sept. 28, 1998.)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Modern Wickenburg Arizona. Living In Wickenburg AZ
Modern Wickenburg. Living In Wickenburg AZ
Just 60 miles northwest of Downtown Phoenix in the Northern reaches of the great southwest’s Sonoran Desert. Wickenburg is noted for its clean air, good country living, western hospitality and all-around high quality of life.
Wickenburg AZ today is a modern town with over 600 businesses providing a range of services, shopping, specialty shops and galleries for western-themed gifts. It is the home of two world-renowned mental health treatment facilities, including Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders and The Meadows, as well as smaller treatment centers. The City Council is working to annex land eastward along US-60 to the intersection of AZ-74, to expand the soft economic base of the city.
http://www.azhomesdirectory.com/
Wickenburg Arizona. History Of Wickenburg AZ
Wickenburg Arizona. History Of Wickenburg AZ
In the early 1820s, stalwart hunters and trappers explored the Hassayampa River in search of beavers, whose pelts were sold to hat makers in the eastern United States and in Europe. Their reports helped pique American interest in the West. The Wickenburg area and much of the West became part of the United States following the Mexican-American War in 1848.
An 1862 gold strike on the Colorado River near the present-day Yuma inspired hardy prospectors and miners, predominantly from California and Mexico, to search for minerals throughout central Arizona. The names of these settlers now label many of the surrounding geographic landmarks, including the Weaver Mountains and Peeples Valley.
Among the gold searchers was an Austrian man named Henry Wickenburg. His quest for gold was rewarded by the discovery of the Vulture Mine, where over $30 million in gold has been dug from the ground. Throughout the foothills surrounding Wickenburg are relics of other mines that stand as a tribute to the pioneer miner and prospector. The mining lore of the region, past and present, adds much to the charm of the area.
Ranchers and farmers who built homes along the fertile plain of the Hassayampa River accompanied the miners. Many of the resourceful and committed settlers came from Sonora, Mexico, giving this area the distinction of being the northern edge of the Hispanic ranching frontier. Together with Henry Wickenburg and the miners, they helped found the young community of Wickenburg in 1863.
As the number of settlers grew, they encroached on the indigenous Yavapai Indians, who lived, farmed, and hunted along the Hassayampa River. The settlers staked mining and water-rights claims, bred livestock that damaged vegetation and scarce water sources, and drove out native species on which the Yavapai relied for meat. Eventually, many White settlers decided to eradicate the Yavapai. The settlers initiated a series of planned raids against the Yavapai. The Yavapai fought back, and approximately 1000 Yavapai Indians and 400 settlers died in the so-called "Indian Wars" during 1860-1869. Eventually, the US Army convinced the weary Yavapai to settle on a permanent Reservation. Due at least in part to inadequate government rations supplied to the reservation dwellers, the Yavapai began to raid stagecoaches and other resources.[4]
In 1872, General George Crook began an all-out campaign against the Yavapai, both those on the reservations and those still living freely within their traditional territory. In December 1872, the Skull Cave (or Skeleton Cave) battle in the Superstition Mountains decisively routed the Yavapai, and within a year Yavapai resistance was crushed. Yavapai today remember this battle as the most catastrophic event in their history. They were compelled to move to the Rio Verde Reservation, where their excellent land management led to a flourishing Yavapai economy. After only two years on the Rio Verde Reservation, however, local officials grew concerned about the Yavapai's success and self-sufficiency, so they persuaded the Federal Government to close their reservation and move all the Yavapai to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. As such, the Yavapai are now the only Arizona Indian tribe moved completely away from their traditional homeland.
Wickenburg was also the home of Jack Swilling, a prospector from the eastern US who mined in the town and later visited the Salt River Valley in 1867. Swilling carried out irrigation projects in that area and was involved in the establishment of Phoenix.
The infant town of Wickenburg went through many trials and tribulations in its first decades, surviving the "Indian Wars," as well as mine closures, desperados, drought, and a disastrous flood in 1890 when the Walnut Creek Dam burst, killing nearly 70.
Through it all, the town continued to grow. Its prosperity was ensured with the coming of the railroad in 1895. In those years it had even once been seen as a candidate for territorial capital. The historic train depot today houses the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center. As of 2007, only freight passes through because passenger trains ended their runs in the 1960s.
Along the town's main historic district, early businesses built many structures that still form Wickenburg's downtown area. The abundant clean air and wide-open spaces attracted new residents. Guest ranches offered a unique experience to tourists who fell in love with the West. The Bar FX Ranch became the first true guest ranch in 1923, followed by Remuda, Kay El Bar, Rancho de los Caballeros, and Flying E ranches, just to mention a few. The construction of the Phoenix to California highway (Highway 60) brought even more tourists, making Wickenburg the Dude Ranch Capital of the World. As of 2007, some of these ranches still offer their hospitality. Rancho de los Caballeros is now a golf resort, while Remuda has been converted into the nation's largest eating disorder treatment facility and is now Wickenburg's largest employer . The Hassayampa community became a vital contributor to the US effort during World War II when the Army trained thousands of men to fly gliders at a newly constructed airfield west of Wickenburg. After the War, modern pioneers and home builders developed Wickenburg into a typical American community.
