Blue River Cowbelles Founded
Blue River Cowbelles were organized September 25, 1954 at Beaver Head Lodge. Photo shows all the brands registered
photo id: 71
Blue River Cowbelles were organized September 25, 1954 at Beaver Head Lodge. Photo shows all the brands registered
photo id: 71
Founding Officers
Blue River Cowbelles founding officers: Rose Richardson-Secretary/Treasurer; Flora Burke-President; Elaine Marks-VP
photo id: 72
Blue River Cowbelles founding officers: Rose Richardson-Secretary/Treasurer; Flora Burke-President; Elaine Marks-VP
photo id: 72
Foot Bridge for School
In March of 1960 community members build footbridge for the school: Joe Parker, Frank Lyons, W.H.McCool, Bill Marks, Donald Thompson
photo id: 73
In March of 1960 community members build footbridge for the school: Joe Parker, Frank Lyons, W.H.McCool, Bill Marks, Donald Thompson
photo id: 73
Blue School
1961 Easter event at the Blue School House
photo id: 74
1961 Easter event at the Blue School House
photo id: 74
Blue Post Office On the Cover
July 21, 1963 Blue River Post Office on the cover of "Arizona Days and Ways" The Republic Magazine with an article on page 7
photo id: 76
July 21, 1963 Blue River Post Office on the cover of "Arizona Days and Ways" The Republic Magazine with an article on page 7
photo id: 76
Big Snow
1967 Snow storm lasted for 12 days. Snow depth ranged from 4 to 6 feet. Phones and electricity were out. Disaster for livestock. Snowbound ranches were not dug out by road equipment (3 CATS and 2 Blades) until Christmas Eve. Photo shows Jacky and James Brooks hauling hay out to livestock one bale at a time.
photo id: 77
1967 Snow storm lasted for 12 days. Snow depth ranged from 4 to 6 feet. Phones and electricity were out. Disaster for livestock. Snowbound ranches were not dug out by road equipment (3 CATS and 2 Blades) until Christmas Eve. Photo shows Jacky and James Brooks hauling hay out to livestock one bale at a time.
photo id: 77
Cowbelles Roundup
1972 Roundup to move cattle to winter range. Katherine Lee and Rose Coleman helping out.
photo id: 78
1972 Roundup to move cattle to winter range. Katherine Lee and Rose Coleman helping out.
photo id: 78
1972 Flood
1972 flooding on October 19 destroyed homes and most of the roads along the Blue River.
photo id: 80
1972 flooding on October 19 destroyed homes and most of the roads along the Blue River.
photo id: 80
Roads out in 1972
1972 flooding destroyed roads leaving the Blue River area accessible by horseback only.
photo id: 81
1972 flooding destroyed roads leaving the Blue River area accessible by horseback only.
photo id: 81
Blue Library History
The Blue Public Library opened in 1960 inside the Post Office with the permission of the postmaster, Marjorie Joy. The expenses were all covered by the Blue River Cowbelles. The first librarian was Elaine Marks and the second was Mabel Parker.
photo id: 82
The Blue Public Library opened in 1960 inside the Post Office with the permission of the postmaster, Marjorie Joy. The expenses were all covered by the Blue River Cowbelles. The first librarian was Elaine Marks and the second was Mabel Parker.
Later the Library obtained permission to move a line shack to the area behind the school to create a unique one room library run completely by volunteers.
photo id: 82
Flood Takes Out Bridge
Flooding in 1978 takes out bridge over Blue River.
photo id: 83
Flooding in 1978 takes out bridge over Blue River.
photo id: 83
Blue Box Bridge
In 1987 The bridge over the Blue Box section of the Blue River was in the middle of a controversy between the Blue River community and the US Forest Service because of safety concerns.
photo id: 84
In 1987 The bridge over the Blue Box section of the Blue River was in the middle of a controversy between the Blue River community and the US Forest Service because of safety concerns.
photo id: 84
Historic School Burns
On February 14, 1987, the historic one room school on the Blue River burnt down.
photo id: 85
On February 14, 1987, the historic one room school on the Blue River burnt down.
photo id: 85
Blue River School Reunion
2003 Blue River School Reunion
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2003 Blue River School Reunion
photo id: 86
Cabin Dismantled and Moved
The Clell Lee line cabin being dismantled for a move. The new location was behind the Blue River School. The purpose was to create a new library building for the Blue Public Library. Top Left ID: Judy Wolkins, Dick Youse, Marci and Mona Bunnell. Top Right ID: Mary Carol Joy, Judy Wolkins, Dick Youse, Marci and Mona Bunnell. Bottom Left ID: Mona Bunnell, Otis and Judy Wolkins, Mary Macnab, Mary Carol Joy. Bottom Right ID: Mary Macnab, Otis Wolkins, Tom Mauritz, Bill Bunnell.
photo id: 88
The Clell Lee line cabin being dismantled for a move. The new location was behind the Blue River School. The purpose was to create a new library building for the Blue Public Library. Top Left ID: Judy Wolkins, Dick Youse, Marci and Mona Bunnell. Top Right ID: Mary Carol Joy, Judy Wolkins, Dick Youse, Marci and Mona Bunnell. Bottom Left ID: Mona Bunnell, Otis and Judy Wolkins, Mary Macnab, Mary Carol Joy. Bottom Right ID: Mary Macnab, Otis Wolkins, Tom Mauritz, Bill Bunnell.
photo id: 88
Petroglyphs
Petroglphs found on rocks near Marks Ranch along the Blue River
photo id: 89
Petroglphs found on rocks near Marks Ranch along the Blue River
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The Blue Box
The Box on the Blue River.
photo id: 90
The Box on the Blue River.
photo id: 90
Rock Building Post Office
The Rock Building Post Office in an area first known as Whittum. In front is Mary Jones, postmaster in 1907.
photo id: 91
The Rock Building Post Office in an area first known as Whittum. In front is Mary Jones, postmaster in 1907.
photo id: 91
Greenlee County Livestock Raisers
Greenlee County Stock Raisers meet in Clifton, AZ, on February 1917. *indicate Blue Residents: Front Row: 1*John C. Cosper, 2 C. F. Pascoe, 3*Hugh McKeen, 4 *Harvey Gatlin, 5 Frank Davis, 6 George Montgomery, 7*Fred Stacy, 8*Frank Hodges, 9 J. J. filleman, 10 Cleve Miller, 11Wade Hampton, 12Rocky John Smith, 13Ben Crawford. Second Row: 14 Bob Burns, 15*Bob Bell, 16*Robert Balke 17Harlan Walker, 18*Mid Gatlin, 19*John Cosper, 20 Vere Laney, 21*Barney Snyder, 22*Donald Thompson, 23*Jim Cosper, 24 Will Laney, 25*Fred Fritz, 26*Big Jim Cosper, 27 Ed Laney, 28 Bill Warner; Third Row: 29 Gene Schwab, 30 Johnny Fisher, 31 Bill Zumwalt, 32 Johnnie Thompson, 33*Toles Cosper, 34 Pat Sutherlin, 35 *Scott Marks, 36*Frank Balke, 37 *DeWitt Cosper, 38 George Sutherlin, 39 *George Balke, 40 Jo Terrill, 41 Unidentified, 42 Elmer Montgomery, 43 Robert Sutherlin, 44 Unidentified, 45 Virgin Leonard
photo id: 92
Greenlee County Stock Raisers meet in Clifton, AZ, on February 1917. *indicate Blue Residents: Front Row: 1*John C. Cosper, 2 C. F. Pascoe, 3*Hugh McKeen, 4 *Harvey Gatlin, 5 Frank Davis, 6 George Montgomery, 7*Fred Stacy, 8*Frank Hodges, 9 J. J. filleman, 10 Cleve Miller, 11Wade Hampton, 12Rocky John Smith, 13Ben Crawford. Second Row: 14 Bob Burns, 15*Bob Bell, 16*Robert Balke 17Harlan Walker, 18*Mid Gatlin, 19*John Cosper, 20 Vere Laney, 21*Barney Snyder, 22*Donald Thompson, 23*Jim Cosper, 24 Will Laney, 25*Fred Fritz, 26*Big Jim Cosper, 27 Ed Laney, 28 Bill Warner; Third Row: 29 Gene Schwab, 30 Johnny Fisher, 31 Bill Zumwalt, 32 Johnnie Thompson, 33*Toles Cosper, 34 Pat Sutherlin, 35 *Scott Marks, 36*Frank Balke, 37 *DeWitt Cosper, 38 George Sutherlin, 39 *George Balke, 40 Jo Terrill, 41 Unidentified, 42 Elmer Montgomery, 43 Robert Sutherlin, 44 Unidentified, 45 Virgin Leonard
photo id: 92
Coronado Trail Dedication
1926 Coronado Trail Dedication: Claire Cosper, Ada Saffell, Adolph Brown, Hettie Peery, Flora Burke
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1926 Coronado Trail Dedication: Claire Cosper, Ada Saffell, Adolph Brown, Hettie Peery, Flora Burke
photo id: 93
CCC Camp
CCC Camp in 1933 kitchen staff. Camp was at the mouth of Johnson Canyon. Back Row: Unidentified, Pvt. Reed, ? Rutledge, Lt. Danbsy, ? Skinner, Lt. Mayfield, C.B. Daniels; Front row; C.B. "Friday" Estep, Loyd Barron, Unidentified, Frank Stark, Bob Tefford
photo id: 98
CCC Camp in 1933 kitchen staff. Camp was at the mouth of Johnson Canyon. Back Row: Unidentified, Pvt. Reed, ? Rutledge, Lt. Danbsy, ? Skinner, Lt. Mayfield, C.B. Daniels; Front row; C.B. "Friday" Estep, Loyd Barron, Unidentified, Frank Stark, Bob Tefford
photo id: 98
CCC Build Road
CCC building a road on the Blue in 1933
photo id: 99
CCC building a road on the Blue in 1933
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CCC on Red Hill Trail
CCC working on Red Hill Trail 1933
photo id: 100
CCC working on Red Hill Trail 1933
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CCC Barracks Fire on Blue
CCC barracks on fire in 1933
photo id: 101
CCC barracks on fire in 1933
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First U.S. Forest Service Ranger on Blue
Bailey Hulsey, riding Greyhound, at the P.S. Ranch on the Blue Range of the White Mountains in 1903. First Forest Service Ranger in Blue District
photo id: 102
Bailey Hulsey, riding Greyhound, at the P.S. Ranch on the Blue Range of the White Mountains in 1903. First Forest Service Ranger in Blue District
photo id: 102
Marrying Tree
The Marrying Tree is a cottonwood on the west side of the Blue River. Many of the Blue residents have been married under that tree. It has become somewhat of a tradition since the Jones Family (both Sam and Henry were married there) started it in the late 1800s.
photo id: 105
The Marrying Tree is a cottonwood on the west side of the Blue River. Many of the Blue residents have been married under that tree. It has become somewhat of a tradition since the Jones Family (both Sam and Henry were married there) started it in the late 1800s.
photo id: 105
Turtle Rock
Turtle Rock located in the Blue River Area
photo id: 107
Turtle Rock located in the Blue River Area
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Cattle Drive
Herschel Downs' cattle going up Turkey Creek Hill on the drive to Alpine to be shipped out in 1949
photo id: 108
Herschel Downs' cattle going up Turkey Creek Hill on the drive to Alpine to be shipped out in 1949
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Wallow Fire
Wallow fire 2011
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Wallow fire 2011
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Wallow Fire
Wallow Fire devastated the Blue area in 2011
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Wallow Fire devastated the Blue area in 2011
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Aftermath of Fire
The aftermath of the Wallow Fire along the Blue
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The aftermath of the Wallow Fire along the Blue
photo id: 111
Susana Allen Noland
Susana Allen Noland Buckelew was the wife of Martin Van Noland, one of the original settlers on the Blue in 1885
photo id: 94
Susana Allen Noland Buckelew was the wife of Martin Van Noland, one of the original settlers on the Blue in 1885
photo id: 94
Henry Buckelew and Susana Allen Noland Buckelew
Henry Buckelew and Susana Allen Noland were married after Martin Van Noland died. Martin was seriously injured when their home burned to the ground in 1892. She married Henry Buckelew in 1896. They moved from the Blue in 1899.
photo id: 95
Henry Buckelew and Susana Allen Noland were married after Martin Van Noland died. Martin was seriously injured when their home burned to the ground in 1892. She married Henry Buckelew in 1896. They moved from the Blue in 1899.
photo id: 95
Noland Family
Widow Susana Noland and children in 1894. Back, Mary Margaret; Middle, Will, Martin, Widow Susana, Albert Frank, Maud; Front: Katie, Charles and Baby Tom
photo id: 96
Widow Susana Noland and children in 1894. Back, Mary Margaret; Middle, Will, Martin, Widow Susana, Albert Frank, Maud; Front: Katie, Charles and Baby Tom
photo id: 96
Jernigan Family
Richard Aaron Jernigan family in 1901: Back Columbus Bruce Jernigan, George Washington Jernigan; Front: Mother Lou Ann Jernigan holding baby Lee Roy Jernigan, Thomas Aaron Jernigan, Ann Jernigan Jernigan and Father Richard Aaron Jernigan. This is another one of the founding families of the Blue area.
photo id: 97
Richard Aaron Jernigan family in 1901: Back Columbus Bruce Jernigan, George Washington Jernigan; Front: Mother Lou Ann Jernigan holding baby Lee Roy Jernigan, Thomas Aaron Jernigan, Ann Jernigan Jernigan and Father Richard Aaron Jernigan. This is another one of the founding families of the Blue area.
photo id: 97
Henry Jones Homestead
Henry Jones at his homestead around 1895. Henry married Mary Keahy in 1895 under the locally famous "marrying tree", a large cottonwood tree in the Blue area.
photo id: 104
Henry Jones at his homestead around 1895. Henry married Mary Keahy in 1895 under the locally famous "marrying tree", a large cottonwood tree in the Blue area.
photo id: 104
Sam Jones
Sam Jones, younger brother to Henry, was one of the original homesteaders in 1890s. Sam was married to Bertha Mae West in 1897
photo id: 106
Sam Jones, younger brother to Henry, was one of the original homesteaders in 1890s. Sam was married to Bertha Mae West in 1897
photo id: 106
Betsy Casto
Betsy Corbet Casto was the first women settler on the Blue. She was married to John Casto. She was an Ute Indian and they settled in the Blue around 1886
photo id: 112
Betsy Corbet Casto was the first women settler on the Blue. She was married to John Casto. She was an Ute Indian and they settled in the Blue around 1886
photo id: 112
John Casto
John Casto was married to Betsy Corbet Casto and settled in the Blue area in the 1880s.
photo id: 113
John Casto was married to Betsy Corbet Casto and settled in the Blue area in the 1880s.
photo id: 113
The Cospers
Joseph Hampton "Toles" Cosper and Lou Ella Flanagan Cosper were married in 1885. They settled in the Blue area on a ranch in 1897.
photo id: 114
Joseph Hampton "Toles" Cosper and Lou Ella Flanagan Cosper were married in 1885. They settled in the Blue area on a ranch in 1897.
photo id: 114
The Fritz Family
Katie Knopp Fritz and Fred Fritz, Sr. came to the Blue area in the mid 1880s.
photo id: 115
Katie Knopp Fritz and Fred Fritz, Sr. came to the Blue area in the mid 1880s.
photo id: 115