On Central Road east of U.S. 70, on the left when traveling east.
First home of the present Eastern Arizona College was Central's red-brick churchhouse located just north of this marker. Founded December 1890 The many-named school moved the next year to Thatcher. — — Map (db m28054) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 302, on the left when traveling east.
Named for the rebellious medicine man who led the Chiricahua Apaches on their last raids, to surrender, and then into exile in Florida and Oklahoma. Their descendants lived in Eastern Arizona again. This was also the site of original Camp Thomas, . . . — — Map (db m28050) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 306, on the left when traveling east.
Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879, near this site in Fort Thomas. He lived here for the first eight years of his life, during the Indian Wars here. In 1917, Melvin Jones formed Lions Clubs International with 20 delegates representing 27 . . . — — Map (db m28051) HM
On West Main Street at South 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
A well-known Tucson architect, H. O. Jaastad, designed this imposing neo-classical revival structure in 1920. Snell & Harvey of Phoenix erected the building for around $50,000. The concrete foundation is capped by brick construction. Two terra cotta . . . — — Map (db m61511) HM
On South 8th Avenue south of U.S. 70, on the right when traveling south.
Since Graham County's formation in 1881 the courthouse had been relocated four times. It had been housed in an adobe structure in Safford, two sites in Solomonville, and the Rig's Building on Main Street when the county seat was returned to Safford. . . . — — Map (db m36370) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 364.7, on the left when traveling east.
In Memory Of
Horatio Harris Merrill
Born January 3, 1837
And his daughter
Eliza Ann Merrill
Born July 27, 1881
Who, while traveling by team and wagon from Pima, Arizona to Clifton, Arizona, were . . . — — Map (db m36243) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 356,, 16 miles east of Town of Safford, on the left when traveling east.
In Memory of two of the
many pioneers who brought
law, order and safety to
the Gila Valley.
Lorenzo and Seth Wright
were killed 1 mile north of
this spot by Indians who
had stolen 45 horses from
early settlers.
While . . . — — Map (db m28170) HM
On West Thatcher Boulevard, on the right when traveling east.
This monument commemorates the sesquicentennial celebration (1847 – 1997) of the Mormon pioneers' arrival into the Salt Lake Valley. The following groups are recognized for their contribution to the settlement of this Gila Valley. Native . . . — — Map (db m61509) HM
Near South 8th Avenue south of West 8th Street, on the right when traveling south.
In June 1920, the State Lodge of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs announced that a home for orphans and the elderly would be built on the 13-acre Beebe Homestead in Safford. Construction started in December from plans drawn by architect William Bray of . . . — — Map (db m195857) HM
On West Main Street, on the left when traveling west.
Safford City Hall started life as a school building. Safford School System bids for the North Ward School were opened in February 1898. The contract was awarded to R. A. Smith Jr. and John Morris. The new building was ready for the fall term in . . . — — Map (db m36369) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 341, on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
The Route of:
Coronado in search of the Fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. 1540
————
James O. Pattie and other famous trappers along the Gila River.
1825-26
————
Gen. Stephen W. Kearny and . . . — — Map (db m48612) HM
On South Bowie Avenue near Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Gila Valley Bank, forerunner of the Valley National Bank of Arizona, was formally organized on this site December 15, 1899, opening January 16, 1900. The bank was originally housed in the northeast corner of the I. E. Solomon Commercial Company . . . — — Map (db m28060) HM
On U.S. 70 at milepost 344 near East Sanchez Road/South Bowie Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
Named for Isadore Elkan Solomon, a pioneer settler, who in 1876 burned charcoal here for supplying fuel to the Lesinsky Brothers' Copper Smelter near Clifton. First Treasurer of Graham County. Early day merchant, postmaster, and one of the founders . . . — — Map (db m28059) HM
On West Church Street, on the right when traveling east.
When Andrew Kimball was called to preside over the St. Joseph Stake in 1898, Church members provided ten acres on which he built this adobe and brick home in 1902. He helped make the 12,000 adobes. His son, Spencer W. Kimball, 12th President of the . . . — — Map (db m61510) HM
On X Road (Highway 571) 1 mile east of 360th Avenue (County Road 569), on the right when traveling east.
Dedicated 2021 to Corporal Kenneth C. Seamans, Factoryville Pa., lost after bailout of his stricken Martin B-10B bomber 15 miles northwest of Hill City, Kansas during a training flight from Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, to Chanute Field, Rantoul, . . . — — Map (db m185492) HM WM
On X Road, 0.5 miles north of 360th Avenue and X Road, on the right when traveling east.
Dedicated 2020 to honor the six Army Air Force Personnel of 100th Bomb Group, 350th Bomb Squadron lost when their B-17F Bomber crashed north of Bogue, Kansas during a ferry flight from Casper Army Air Base, Casper, Wyoming to Tinker Field, . . . — — Map (db m215493) HM WM
On 4th Street north of Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
The present structure of the First Baptist Church was completed in 1907 and was built around an earlier and smaller church. The stucco exterior was added in the 1940's. After the exterior of the present building was completed, the older structure . . . — — Map (db m131532) HM
On Third Street just north of Adams Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
The harsh Kansas prairie inspired the Nicodemus AME (African Methodist Episcopal) congregation even more to their faith. Rev. Jerry Meyers and five others organized the church in 1879.
Members first met in dugouts and then in the First . . . — — Map (db m154731) HM
On Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
Eager for word from loved ones back home, people gathered at the St. Francis Hotel when the mail wagon arrived. The right, upright section of this building was the original limestone St. Francis Hotel, Nicodemus' first stone building along the . . . — — Map (db m154732) HM
On Washington Avenue at 2nd Street, on the left when traveling east on Washington Avenue.
"Nicodemus was growing into a busy little town. New houses were being built by people coming in. Different enterprises began to originate. Conditions began to improve."— Nettie Craig Teacher 1886
Main Street Nicodemus grew out of hard . . . — — Map (db m131531) HM
On U.S. 24 east of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Cuisine Good Food, Great TraditionGood food and small cafes have long been a tradition in Nicodemus, although most businesses are now gone. Ernestine’s Bar-B-Q is the last restaurant in town. The legendary Ernestine VanDuvall’s . . . — — Map (db m131525) HM
In July, 1877 Negro “exodusters” from Kentucky established a settlement here in the Promised Land of Kansas which they named Nicodemus. Although the colonists lacked sufficient tools, seed and money they managed to survive the first . . . — — Map (db m154733) HM
On Washington Avenue east of Adams Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
(panel 1)
1886 First TeamNicodemus' first baseball team was organized in 1886. The Manager was Joe Patterson. Members: F. Turner, Ed Patterson, George Duncan, A.G. Van Duvall, Sanford G. Craig, Silas Hays, Alvin Miller, H.S. Henrie, . . . — — Map (db m131533) HM
On Washington Avenue east of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Zach T. Fletcher's hotel was built in 1881 and is the two-story stuccoed portion to the right. It originally featured a cut limestone appearance with a one story stone kitchen addition on the east. It also served as the site of the first post office . . . — — Map (db m131530) HM
On Washington Avenue just west of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west.
"One of the main things we did at (Nico)Demus was skate and dance at the Hall at Christmas. Oh man, old young tried to skate." Bernard Bates, Nicodemus descendant
Construction of the Township Hall gave Nicodemus a community . . . — — Map (db m154729) HM
On Washington Avenue at 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Avenue.
Sunday school, prayer meetings, gospel singing, spirited preaching, church suppers, and special events all graced the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church. Churches are the cornerstone of black communities throughout the US.
Before . . . — — Map (db m154730) HM
On Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 0.9 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the right when traveling north.
Whether you are a day hiker or an overnight backpacker, the Smoky Mountain portion of the Appalachian Trail is one of the most scenic and challenging of the Trail's 2,144 mile length.
The distance from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap is 68 miles. . . . — — Map (db m155802) HM
Near Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 1.4 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
In 1921, forester Benton MacKaye proposed his idea to create an incredibly long footpath—one that would not only help preserve nature, but would create an escape for busy urban people across the U.S. He called it "The Appalachian Trail". . . . — — Map (db m156034) HM
On Fontana Dam Road, 1.3 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt knew he needed to act fast. In order to win WWII, the U.S. would need tens of thousands of new fighter planes and immense amounts of electrical power to build them But where . . . — — Map (db m155981) HM
Near Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 1.4 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
Fontana Dam is surrounded by land that is extremely rich in cultural heritage. In fact, humans have populated the region for more than 10,000 years. recovered artifacts link to a civilization called the Mississippian Culture living in the region . . . — — Map (db m156035) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
According to the provisions of an 1819 treaty with the United States, Junaluska applied for 640 acres at Sugar Creek near Franklin, NC when his land was usurped by white squatters. He moved to the remaining portion of the Cherokee Nation. — — Map (db m209706) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
Here lie the bodies of the Cherokee Chief, Junaluska, and Nicie, his wife. Together with his warriors he saved the life of General Jackson, at The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and for his bravery and faithfulness, North Carolina made him a citizen, and . . . — — Map (db m209701) HM
On East Main Street (County Route 1106) at Court Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
During the Civil War, Graham Country (the part of Cherokee County) offered scant support to the secessionist cause, although both ardent Confederates and staunch Unionists lived here. The region was not financially dependent on slavery. Most . . . — — Map (db m75453) HM
On Cherohala Skyway (State Highway 143) 4 miles west of Santeelah Raod, on the right when traveling west.
Do you enjoy the beauty of these mountains? Imagine living here with your family when all-of-a-sudden soldiers explode into your house and force you out at gunpoint! That is exactly what happened to 16,000 people when, in 1838, the U.S. Government . . . — — Map (db m209715) HM
Near Joyce Kilmer Road (County Road 1134) 0.6 miles west of Santeetlah Road (County Road 1127).
Joyce Kilmer165th Infantry, Rainbow Division, soldier and poet, author of “Trees,” born in New Brunswick, N.J., December 6, 1886; killed in action in France July 30, 1918. This memorial was initiated by Bozeman Bulger Post, . . . — — Map (db m160526) HM WM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
War with the Creeks:
Junaluska, the Cherokee who saved Andrew Jackson;s life and made him a national hero, lived to regret it. Born in North Carolina mountains around 1776, he made his name and his fame among his own people in the War of . . . — — Map (db m209710) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1813, when the Cherokees raised 636 men to aid Americans fighting the Creeks, Junaluska personally recruited over 100 men. At The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, his actions turned the tide when he swam the Tallapoosa River, retrieving Creek canoes and . . . — — Map (db m209707) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
During removal in 1838, Junaluska was assigned to Jessee Brushyhead's detachment about seven weeks into the journey Junaluska deserted leading about 50 Cherokees. Although captured and taken to Oklahoma, within a couple of years Junaluska walked . . . — — Map (db m209708) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
By a special act in 1846, the N.C. Legislature recognized Junaluska for his distinguished service to the U.S. and granted him 337 acres, North Carolina citizenship, and $100. Although never a chief, Junaluska was a respected leader who symbolizes . . . — — Map (db m209702) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
Although Junaluska's meeting with Tecumseh at Soco Gap in 1811 cannot be verified, he certainly sent word to Tecumseh that the Cherokees would not join an Indian Confederacy against the Whites. — — Map (db m209705) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
A few days after his birth he was given his first name when the cradle board holding him fell over, he was called Gu-Ka-Las-Ki (one who falls from a leaning position). Later, after an unsuccessful military venture, he received the name . . . — — Map (db m209704) HM
On Cherohala Skyway (State Highway 143) 1 mile west of Old Santeetlah Raod, on the right when traveling west.
This western edge of the Appalachian Mountains is called the Unicom Range, Unicom is taken from the Cherokee word "unega," which means "white," "misty" or "smoky." These mountains were given this name because the abundant rainfall and high humidity . . . — — Map (db m209716) HM
On Tapoco Road (U.S. 129) 1.8 miles south of Meadow Branch Road (County Route 1247), on the left when traveling north.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m189218) HM
On Joyce Kilmer Road (County Highway 1134) at Santeelah Dam Road (County Highway 1146), on the left when traveling north on Joyce Kilmer Road.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m190817) HM
On Tapoco Road (U.S. 129) 1.5 miles west of Yellow Creek Road (County Highway 1242), on the left when traveling north.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m190818) HM
