| Settlement Type: | CDP |
| List of historic properties in Pine-Strawberry, Arizona | |
| Image Map1: | AZMap-doton-Pine.png |
| Mapsize1: | 150px |
| Map Caption1: | Location of Pine-Strawberry in Arizona |
| Coordinates: | 34.3844°N -111.455°W |
This is a list of historic properties in Pine-Strawberry a census-designated region in north-central Arizona, located below the Mogollon Rim in Gila County. Included is a photographic gallery of some of the remaining historic structures some of which are individually identified as historic by the National Register of Historic Places. .
According archeologists the ruins found in the area where Pine-Strawberry are located were once inhabited by an early Native-American tribe called the Anasazi. Ruins of an ancient Anasazi village was discovered and rebuilt in Pine. Later the area was inhabited by the Tonto Apaches and Yavapai tribes.[1] [2]
Armed American soldiers began to arrive in the area during the American Civil War. The soldiers were led by General George Crook, who built roads and established trails while forcing the natives out of the area. In 1867, the US Army declared that the Native-Americans who were not employed as scouts or living within the boundaries of the Colorado River Reservation to be "hostile," and began their campaign of capture or extermination. The area continued to be uninhabited until 1875, when gold was discovered in the area resulting in an influx of Anglo-American settlers.[2]
From 1878 to 1890, members of the Mormon faith settled the area and gave Strawberry its name. This was due to the fact that there were numerous wild strawberries in the area.[2] Among the early pioneers to arrive in 1879, were the Bunch Family, "Cowboy" John Hicks and John Duncan, Henry Siddles, Price W. Nelson Family and the John Pleasant Hough Family.[2]
Alfred J. Randall and Rial Allen purchased land in Pine Valley. They named the area Pine because of the huge pine trees which surrounded their new acquired land[2] By 1881, there were thirteen families residing in Pine Valley. They filed for water rights and built a diversion dam across Pine Creek. They then funneled the water into a ditch and divided the home sites among themselves.[3]
In 1885, John Wingfield and Charles Callaway were among the Mormons who hauled and shaped the big pine logs which were used to build Strawberry's first log Schoolhouse. During the following years the school would also serve as a meeting place, social center and church.[4] [5] The schoolhouse, which is located on 9318 Fossil Creek Rd., was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 10, 2005, reference: #05000422. A one-room log schoolhouse was built in Pine in 1882, on the land donated by pioneer A. J. Randall. In 1884, the Pine post office was established and Mary D. Fuller was named postmaster[3] In 1928,
According to the "Mission Statement" the mission of the Pine-Strawberry Archaeological and Historical Society is the following:"The Pine-Strawberry Archaeological and Historical Society is dedicated to collecting and preserving significant material and information about the historical and archaeological heritage of Pine, Strawberry, and the surrounding areas. We also interpret these materials and disseminate this information through its museums, programs and publications.[6] "
The building where the Pine-Strawberry Museum is housed was built in 1917 and once served the Mormon community as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or "The LDS Chapel." It is located on 3886 AZ-87 and now houses the Pine-Strawberry Historical Society (PSHS)[7]
Pictured are the following historic structures in Pine, most of which have been converted into commercial stores:
Not pictured is the historic is the 1927 Hunsaker House which was demolished.[14]
The land where the historic Pine Cemetery is located was donated in 1881 by Pryor and Katie C. Miller. The Pioneers' Cemetery Association (PCA) defines a "historic cemetery" as one which has been in existence for more than fifty years.[18]
One of the entrances to the Tonto National Forest is just off State Route 87, in the Pine Creek Canyon between Pine and Payson. The forest is home to the Tonto Natural Bridge and the historic Goodfellow Lodge.
The Goodfellow Lodge, built in 1925, is located to the left of the entrance gate. The lodge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 1986, reference: #86001558. Trails from the lodge lead to the location of the Tonto Natural Bridge.The Tonto Natural Bridge is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge is what is known as a natural arch bridge. In 1877, David Gowan, a Scotsman, was the first known person to document the natural bridge.[19] The bridge's tunnel is 400adj=midNaNadj=mid and measures at its widest point and reaches a height of .
Pictured are the following historic structures and cemetery which are located on or near Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry:
Two of the historic properties, which may have been demolished, and which are not pictured are:
The Strawberry Schoolhouse was a one-room structure built in 1882 using the wood from the Pine trees in the area. The school is located on 9318 Fossil Creek Road and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 10, 2005, reference: #05000422. The structure was later used as a meeting place, social center and church. The schoolhouse is believed to be the "Oldest Standing School in Arizona".The historic Strawberry Cemetery is very small and is located behind the old schoolhouse. Most of the graves are, with the exception of two which have tombstones, unmarked or marked simply with stones and wooden crosses.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Fossil Creek, which is located in Strawberry, is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mongollon Rim. In 2009, the United States Congress designated Fossil Creek as a Wild and Scenic River to protect the river's attributes for years to come.[23] Pictured is the Fossil Creek Bridge. The bridge is a closed-spandrel deck arch bridge built in 1924. It is situated across Fossil Creek.[24]