ArizonaRealCountry.com 9 March 2018 THE ARIZONA DUUUDE ROCK SPRINGS, THAT PIE PLACE ON I-17 CELEBRATES IT’S CENTENNIAL Rock Springs, Arizona, where the springs flow through the rocks. Settlers and cavalry patrols of the 1860’s watered their horses and other beasts of burden at these springs. Records of this location go further back in time to when Southern Illinois University professor George Gumerman, and his team of archaeological students, explored Native American artifacts here and throughout the state in the early 1980’s. These records date back 1,400 years as the Rock Springs area was once littered with chards, metates, and other artifacts. The 70,900-acre Agua Fria National Monument contains one of the most significant systems of prehistoric sites in the American southwest. The BLM has documented at least 450 prehistoric sites and four major settlement areas, and thousands more are known to exist within the monument. Agua Fria National Monument is located east of I-17 from Rock Springs to Cordes Lakes. Dolan Elis, Arizona’s Balladeer says, “I have a special interest in Rock Springs. To me, it is one of the precious and unrecognized historical spots in the state. Most of our population today think of Rock Springs as a place of great pies, down-home- cookin’ and “ get down fun “. I think of it that way, too. But for me, it runs much deeper. When I think about the generations upon generations of people who have stopped there to find comfort and rest, it sends my mind a-flyin’! I see the shadows and the tracks of those people out of Arizona history... From our ancient prehistoric Indians to mountain men, pioneer families, women with babies, cowboys, stage coaches, outlaws, military soldiers, prospectors, secret lovers, and not so secret lovers. Imagine…if those rocks could only speak, the stories they could tell.” Marshall Trimble Arizona State Historian says, “Each time I drive up the mountain to Sunset Point my eyes always drift over to that narrow road that winds its way up from Rock Springs to Bumble Bee. I was too young to appreciate the history as we traveled along that old stagecoach road, but it did leave me with vivid memories. Proof of that lies in the fact that more than 60 years later I still remember that eight-day journey, (Oct. 1947) as if it was only yesterday.” Terry Earp playwright & author says, “Many of us pass a tiny town like Rock Springs and seldom give it a second thought or second glance. Too often these places are no more than a spot along the road to grab a quick bite or gas on the way to our destination. Yes, few of us stop to think that these places also have a history filled with stories and personalities. After reading Mike Sandford’s book on how and why Rock Springs came to be, I came away with an appreciation of Rock Springs as its own little town. I hope you will to.“ ROCK SPRINGS STORY Founded by young entrepreneur Ben Warner, Rock Springs began in 1918 as a general store under a canvas tent. The last stagecoach from Prescott passed by the property in 1917, and by the time Ben opened his store, adventurous motor vehicle drivers had begun where stagecoaches left off. The original store primarily provided local miners and ranchers with equipment and supplies. But shortly thereafter, the store began catering to the needs of road weary motorists offering gasoline (stored in 5-gallon cans) for dry tanks, water bags for overheated radiators and victuals for very tired drivers. The business grew, and in 1924 Ben built a two-story masonry structure consisting of a general store, small restaurant, and hotel. When prohibition was enacted, Ben, always anxious to please his customers created “special” libations that could be purchased anytime, day or night. Although the hotel is gone and the building has been expanded several times, the original building is still the centerpiece of Rock Springs Café. The first gas station (little more than gas pumps) was installed in front of the Café about 1946 and has since been relocated just south. The Rock Springs Gas Depot is a major brand retailer with a convenience store that looks nothing like “C Stores” you are used to. Two calico “watch cats” flirt with customers and keep an eye on the merchandise, which consists of good tasting things, memorabilia, lottery tickets, and some antiques. Just north of the main building, the springs (hence “Rock Springs”) have been enhanced and water continuously flows gently over a beautiful riparian area. The large patio adjacent to the creek is a much-appreciated venue for weddings, private parties, reunions and other special events. The stagecoach road to from Phoenix to Prescott was first paved with two-lanes in 1948 but ended at Rock Springs. Many decades passed before the old stage road became the 40,000 cars per day super highway it is today, but from its earliest days 100 years ago, and regardless of road conditions, our motto has ever been “Rock Springs, worth the drive from anywhere”. More than 350,000 annual visitors seem to agree. (Richard Shaw, an Arizona native and co-owner of Rock Springs with Augie Perry, recalls stopping at Rock Springs as a customer many times, and long before acquiring ownership in 2006.) Rock Springs Café is becoming a destination as well as a pit stop between Phoenix and Flagstaff. New additions have been added including Paul’s Rock Shop next to the Farmers Market, the Show & Tell Art Shop on the south side of the parking lot and Arizona Outdoor Fun Adventures & Tours located next to the 76 gas station, offering ATV & UTV guided and unguided tours, plus special Shooting Combo Tours. For more information call 602-286-0566 or go to ArizonaOutdoorFun.com. I purchased a house a short mile from Rock Springs Café in 1988. This became my morning coffee stop. My friends and regulars at the “Rock” know they can find the AZ Duuude seated at the counter from 9 to 10:30 most mornings. I call it my office hours. So if you don’t have time to stop for coffee, honk and wave as you pass by. By Bob Roloff, “The Arizona Duuude” You can follow Bob Roloff on Facebook. Rock Springs Café Although the hotel is gone and the building has been expanded several times, the original building is still the centerpiece of Rock Springs Café. Rock Springs Café is becoming a destination as well as a pit stop between Phoenix and Flagstaff.