b'onAPACHE TRAILtheCONSTRUCTION OF THE APACHE TRAIL (known as the Tonto Wagon Road at that time) began on August 29, 1903.The route of this supply road followed theTortilla Flatancient footpath that is believed to havevisitchandler.combeen used by the Anasazi tribes to trade with the Hohokam. Other Native American tribes may have also used this footpath during prehistoric times as a migratory route between their summer and winter homes.A pache Indians provided most of the labor forpasses that came to be used this road construction and they lived separatelyby the early Indians on their from the other crews. These Apache workmenway to and from the central often brought their wives and children to live with themArizona mountains and the and maintained their traditional way of life. The ApacheSalt River Valley. Trail, originally running from the Mesa railhead to the dam site, was completed on September 3, 1905, forTortilla Flat got its start $551,000. Much of the route, particularly east of Tortillabecause of the roadm o c . e k a l e h c a p aFlat, retains its original historic character. construction to Roosevelt Dam. Once established as a Restrictions/Projects freight camp, there seems to have been Heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Nora fellsome number of people living there from onto the burn scar from the 2019 Woodbury Fire andthen on. Originally, Tortilla Flat was on caused extensive roadway damage. The road from thethe opposite side of the road from where Fish Creek Hill Overlook/Rest Area (milepost 222) toit is now, and largely on the other side Apache Lake Marina (Milepost 229) remains closed forof the creek. A bit of exploring down by public safety reasons. the creek will reveal foundation remains. In the community\'s entire history there The state legislature has appropriated funding for an SRwere never very many buildings. Some of 88 study to evaluate revegetation in the Woodbury burnthe residents lived in big army tents with scar area and what options are feasible from a long- wooden floors. Forest Service records show term construction and maintenance cost perspectiveTonto National Forest being established in on restoring access to Apache Lake and the Tonto1905 as kind of a "package deal" with the National Forest area. Based on the study findings, ADOTSalt River Reclamation Project. The freightApache Lakeis determining how best to proceed, is finalizing thecamp at Tortilla Flat and the other camps procurement process for the study, and plans to start italong the road to the dam were, therefore, early this year. on U.S. Forest Service land. Those folks who decided to make Tortilla Flat their permanentTheir newly remodeled jail is a fully-loaded escape room, Learn more about petitions and pending legislation atresidence kept up the lease on the land in later yearswhere you can test yourself against the puzzles and pick AZBackRoads.com/Apache Trail. whenever it came due up to this day. all the locks to earn your freedom!CANYON LAKE A visit to Tortilla Flat isnt complete without a stop inThe replica schoolhouse acts as their museum, sitting Is one of four lakes formed by the damming of the Saltthe Superstition Restaurant & Saloon. Belly up to the baron the original site of the first schoolhouse before it River. The land in this area has lots of cliffs, ravines, andand get the best "Old West" burgers, home-style chili, orwas moved to Horse Mesa Dam. It has been the set of a a lot of cacti. There is an official scenic stopping pointbreakfast while seated in their saddle bar stools. Enjoymovie and survived fires and floods. Recently remodeled, here along with a restaurant, marina, store, and the Dollylive music on the patio Friday through Sunday. Theit features Native American contributions and a Steamboat ride. The Steamboat takes you on a 6-mileTortilla Flat General Store and Ice Cream Shop is one ofchronological timeline of the towns stories. cruise around the lake which takes about 1.5 hours. Yourthe original buildings from the 40s where you can relish guide will talk about the flora of the area and you mighta scoop of their famous Prickly Pear Gelato. Famous Visitors to Tortilla Flat:get to see desert bighorn sheep and bald eagles. Teddy Roosevelt and his entourage passed through The original motel stood where the Mercantile/Gift Shopon their way to the dedication ceremonies at Roosevelt TORTILLA FLAT currently stands. The motel had been non-operationalDam in 1911. Legend has it that he stopped for lunch, Tortilla Flat was a small grassy valley in thefor many years due to fire damage but the shop carrieswas very gracious to the proprietors, and sat on the front Superstition Mountains, with a babbling creek runningmany unique gifts and souvenirs. porch smoking a cigar after enjoying lunch in the clear through it. Nature placed the flat between mountainair and spectacular scenery.24 March 2022'