The Don’s of Arizona (Phoenix
Don’s Club) constructed the monument in February of 1938. The purpose of this
monument was to perpetuate the history and legend of this beautiful state of
ours. This monument stands today as the oldest structure in Apache Junction and
has seventy-five years of history and tradition behind it.
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| The monument as it appeared in 1940. |
The construction of this monument
required the cooperation of many people, including Mr. and Mrs. George
Cleveland Curtis, owners of the Apache Junction Inn. Also involved was the
Brick Mason’s Union of Phoenix, the Arizona State Highway Department and the
Salt River Project’s Water User’s Association. The Phoenix Don’s Club received
considerable assistance from these groups in their effort to establish and
finalize the construction of this monument in Apache Junction.
The Phoenix Don’s Club secured a
"grant of easement" from George Cleveland Curtis and his wife,
Aurora, on April 12, 1938. This "grant of easement" insured the Phoenix
Don’s Club permanent access to the monument and its grounds for maintenance and
repair. Fred Guirey, working for the highway department at the time, designed
the monument. To insure the permanent site for the monument the Don’s Club
recorded the "grant of easement" in both Pinal and Maricopa counties.
The monument was constructed in
the shape of a stone wall, about eight feet high, twelve feet long, and two
feet wide. It is surrounded by a cactus garden that includes saguaros and is
surmounted by large figures of the prospector and his burro cut out of
boilerplate. The wall had a bronze plaque set in it stating this legend:
"Here lie the remains of
Snow Beard, the Dutchman, who in this mountain shot three men to steal a rich
gold mine from Spanish pioneers, killed eight more to hold its treasure, then
died in 1892 without revealing its location. Dozens of searchers have met
mysterious death in the canyons there, yet the ore lies unrevealed. Indians say
this is the curse of the thunder gods on white man in whom the craving for gold
is strong. Beware lest you too succumb to the lure of the Lost Dutchman Mine in
Superstition Mountain."
The construction of the monument
was completed on February 25, 1938, and was dedicated on April 8, 1938, by the
Phoenix Don’s Club. Approximately 200 people attended the 3 p.m. event. The
dedicatory address was made by James Murphy, the Don’s Club president, who
presented the monument to the people of the State of Arizona, and Mulford
Windsor, State Librarian, accepted the monument on behalf of the State of
Arizona.
Oren Arnold, noted Southwestern
author, stated the following in his historic address: "This monument is a
reminder that on this vast and colorful stage known as the Southwest, some
extremely interesting characters have played dramatic roles."
Arnold was talking about the
characters of the Old West the monument represented and was making reference to
Jacob Waltz and the prospectors and treasure hunters that followed him.
However, today the monument celebrates much more. It has become an icon of this
community.
The monument was rededicated on
Saturday, February 27, 1988. James Murphy, fifty years later, stood once again
on the speaker’s platform. The keynote speaker for the rededication was
Governor Evan Mecham.
Mecham was a U.S. Army Air Corps
pilot during World War II, and flew P-51 Mustang escort fighters over Europe
protecting B-17 bombers. During training at Williams Air Force Base, Mecham
lost a trainer over Superstition Mountain and parachuted out, living to tell about
it. He was certainly an excellent keynote speaker for the rededication of the
LDM Monument. To this day the old monument is still a center of controversy
between those who believe it should go and those who believe it should stay. My
guess is, it will remain for another millennium reminding us of the importance
of open spaces, our past heritage and the special lifestyle that exists here
now.
The Dutchman’s Monument today
represents the open spaces and the free spirit of the people who moved to this
desert. They moved here to get away from the pollution, crime and traffic
congestion of larger cities.
Look at all the businesses and
business cards that use the icon of the old prospector and burro on them. The
monument commemorates more than just a story; it celebrates a way of life.
On July 8, 2013, commemorating
the 75th anniversary of the monument’s construction, Apache Junction Mayor John
Insalaco signed a proclamation devoted entirely to preserving and protecting
the Dutchman’s Monument. Apache Junction has become an advocate and conservator
of this unique structure. This proclamation finally brings the City of Apache
Junction and the Dons of Arizona together in the preservation and protection of
this unique heritage landmark.
What does its meaning hold for
the future? We have been fortunate. Progress is rapidly changing this rural
community into a metropolitan city. The old monument has been replaced in many
ways by the symbolic rhetoric of our modern and progressive society. We all
know horses and cities don’t mix, just like prospectors and urbanization.
Ironically, the old prospector and his burro have once again found a home in
Apache Junction with the stroke of Mayor Insalaco’s pen. Their future is in our
hands. I would hope this monument has a little deeper meaning to all us now.
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| The monument as it stands today |
August 12, 2013 © Thomas J. Kollenborn. All Rights Reserved.