DATE: July 6, 2015
HISTORICAL
SITE: Petrified Forest
National Park
LOCATION: Apache & Navajo Co., Arizona
"This property has been listed in the National Register of
Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior 1976
Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archaeological District"
"Painted Desert Inn has been designated a National Historic
Landmark This site possesses National
significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America 1987
National Park Service United
States Department of the Interior"
"This property has been listed in the National Register of
Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior 2005
Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District"
MARKER PLACED BY: National
Park Service, United States Department of the Interior
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
I was surprised to find out that although Dirk was born and
raised in Arizona, he has never visited the Petrified Forest or Painted Desert.
I remember my parents taking us as little girls and for some reason that has
stuck with me and is the driving force behind my desire to see this area again.
While not as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon, you can see
similarities and this place can still stop you in your tracks with its beauty.
At one point, Dirk and I were just standing and looking.
We'd said all the oooh's and ahhh's and were quiet. I looked over at Dirk and
he had this look on his face I have seen before and am in awe of. I'm not sure
how to describe it other than to say it is joy and the quietness of a soul...if
that makes sense. He then looked at me and said "God did good".
While it's officially the Petrified Forest National Park,
the northern end extends into the Painted Desert and is known for fossilized
trees from the late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago.
In the late 1800's, concern grew over the number of tourists
visiting and removing artifacts. Arizona asked the U.S. government to create a Petrified
Forest National Park.
Like the Grand Canyon, the journey to national park wasn't
easy and like the Grand Canyon, Roosevelt had to use the Antiquities Act of
1906 to create the Petrified Forest National Monument in 1932 and finally it
became a National Park in 1962. Several successive presidents have signed
legislation to acquire additional land where the size is currently 218,533
acres.
As part of the super continent of Pangaea, this area was
near the equator and had a sub-tropical climate.
Paleontologists have been working in the park since the
early 20th century, finding Triassic plants, but also giant crocodile like
reptiles called phytosaurs, large salamander like amphibians called Buettneria and
early dinosaurs.
It is the same sediments that buried the tree's so they
could fossilize, that has caused the Painted Desert is be so colorful and that
sediment is estimated to be up to 800 feet deep.
There have been nine species of fossil trees identified
here...all extinct. Driving through the park, you can see remnants of the
tree's all over the place, some denser than others.
The earliest humans arrived at least 8,000 years ago. Mostly
nomadic until about 2,000 years ago when humans built pueblos and were growing
corn here.
As the climate changed, people moved out but more than 600
sites have been found to be archaeologically significant, including the
petroglyphs site called Newspaper Rock.
The Hopi nation call it "Tutuveni" and the
petroglyphs show the history of the Hopi Indian tribe carved into stone. The
area contains about 5,000 petroglyphs estimated to be between 650 and 2,000
years old.
In 2008, Newspaper Rock was included on the Worlds Monument
Watch List of endangered cultural sites. Sadly, along with the ancient
petroglyphs is the graffiti of today. $100,000.00 later, the site is surrounded
by a chain link fence and monitored by hidden cameras.
Until the 16th century, the only inhabitants were indigenous people. Then the Spaniards discovered this area while exploring Mexico and the southwest.
Homesteaders settled in the area and their cattle grazed
within the borders of the park until the mid-20th century. Next came the
railroad and finally, constant car traffic on Route 66 and now Interstate 40.
There are 3 sites designated as historical, the main
complex, the petroglyphs and finally...the Painted Desert Inn.
Back in the 1920's, Herbert Lore built a tourist shop, lunch
counter and trading post on the Kachina rim. In 1932, the U.S. government
proclaimed the Painted Desert a national monument. Lore negotiated $59,400.00
out of the U.S. government for his land and building. $60k in 1932? Not bad at
all.
The original inn was built using the petrified wood from the
park and was called Stone Tree House. Using the parks natural resources was a
bit frowned upon so they rebuilt the inn; that being completed by the
Conservation Corps in 1937.
Ok, this is strange to me but they didn't want to use the
parks resources that were ALREADY being used so they tear it down and use other
natural resources. Maybe less scarce but I bet that petrified wood was going to
last forever.
Hopi artist Fred Kabotie was hired to paint scenes of everyday
Hopi life and ceremonies on the walls of the Inn.
There was a bit more remodeling right after the war and it
was used as a railway hotel from 1947 to 1963 and finally destruction was
discussed in the mid-70's.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and after major renovations,
the inn reopened in 2006 as a museum. You walk through the building and can
appreciate the craftsmanship and the painting, but then you look up and there
is a beautiful stained glass ceiling.
I'm really glad we
got the opportunity to see one of the U.S.'s beautiful National Park.
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