“WHERE HAVE ALL THE SHEEP GONE?”
June 30, 2018, Barbara Jaquay gave a presentation to the Beaver Creek Preservation and Historical Society regarding the sheep industry in Arizona. She covered the early years 1500-1860 when the Spanish introduced sheep into what is now the state of Arizona. Herding sheep was a critical component of the economy from its early territorial days into statehood (1860-1912). Her presentation is a lively and informative story using historical documents and personal interviews with the remaining sheep ranchers and family members. Ms. Jaquay met shepherds and took part in a herding and shared her photos on the trail. Some families are still making their living from sheep today, trying to preserve a way of life that may soon be lost.
Barbara Jaquay has a PhD in historical geography from Texas A&M and has traveled throughout the US and all seven continents studying history, geography, archaeology, peoples, and their culture. She gives talks across the country on her research and travels.
SUMMARY ON “WILDFLOWERS”
On June 13, 2017 local resident and author Wyona Jaffe shared her love of wildflowers at our meeting at the Adult Center. Jaffe was the BCPHS official photographer and has taken photos of area wildflowers for years with the intention of writing a book. She not only shared her photos but her knowledge of the wildflowers, their names, and locations. Jaffe explained how to identify wildflowers by color and size with beautiful photos. Wyona Jaffe is a well-known local photographer and author of a historical biography of her 1865 pioneer family titled “Jennie’s Journal”, which is available at the Clarkdale Historical Society Museum.
LISA SCHNEBLY HEIDINGER
March 22, 2018, Lisa Schnebly Heidinger gave a presentation on the book she wrote about her great-grandmother, Sedona Schnebly. More information about Lisa and her books is available on the website: arizonawriter.com.
DON & CHRIS GODARD
Don & Chris talk about the history of the Clarkdale Cement Plant (Now Salt River Materials Group). Biographies:
Don
Don Godard was born in Cottonwood and has lived in the Verde Valley for all of his 84 years. On October 21, 1959 he went to work for the Cement Plant - right before the first load was shipped to the Glen Canyon Dam on November 7, 1959. He worked for the company for 28 years, retiring in 1987. He started as a laborer, worked his way up to lead man and was a union steward. The company was very good to him and he is grateful. He first approached the Clemenceau Heritage Museum about doing a presentation about the history of the Cement Plant in order to clear up some misconceptions about the history of the plant. Years later the Museum asked if he would give the presentation again.
Chris
Chris was born and raised in Europe until she was 13 and her family came to the United States. She has lived in the Verde Valley (Cornville) for 22 years. When the Museum approached Don about presenting his talk again, Chris suggested he include information about the history of cement and concrete in addition to the plant. Don said “That’s a great idea - you do that part”. Chris did some research, found it a fascinating subject with lots of history and put together a presentation to precede Don’s .