How Good is Your Memory?

A quiz on our community’s history

By Desert Les

       Howdie Pardner, Good to see you again.

New exhibits could be placed near existing exhibits and another location adjacent to one of the shopping centers on the Scenic Drive.

Well, them Friends of the Scenic Drive has proposed that the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive be enhanced by the addition of one or more “memory” parks. Friends says that snowbirds, tourists, and residents will enjoy the exhibits. They say that the exhibits might help folks learn about the unique western history of the Desert Foothills and Pinnacle Peak areas. Folks at Friends say that the Scenic Drive has been part of our community’s preservation heritage for almost 50 years and that the creation of these exhibits by residents should be part of the upcoming enhancement project. Friends says that by telling the story of our area’s history, it will help differentiate our community from all them other so-called tourist destinations. Yup.

Friends is suggesting that four types of “memory” exhibits be created. The four types of exhibits – Timeline, Places, People, and Preservation - take the form of plaques mounted on walls and monuments, or as free-standing individual exhibits.  Whatever folks will enjoy the most.  

Now Yer Test

     Pardner, Desert Les has put together a little quiz on the exhibits. Now Pardner, don’t get mad at old Desert Les for wastin’ yer time, he knows that you already know all the answers. It’s them snowbirds that this quiz is fer.

            Them snowbirds might need a bit of help, so Desert Les is makin’ this test “open book” and “open Google,” and allowin’ until March 7th to finish it. Pardner, them snowbirds have until 11:59 p.m. on March 7th to get the job done.

    Two more things, Desert Les isn’t the brightest flame in the campfire so if any of you think of something that he should have included in this quiz, please contact The Peak and they’ll track the old coot down. And, Desert Les thanks them fine folks at the Cave Creek Museum for providin' some of the real hard questions. Yup.  

Yer Test Instructions 

The test is divided into four sections, one section for each type of exhibit. Pardner, answer the questions on a separate piece of paper or if you have one of them dang computers use that.  While it’s true that we hang cheaters in these parts, feel free to use yer cell phone to consult with others, cut and paste, visit the museum, copy from a book, whatever it takes to get them answers right. 

Section I. Timeline Exhibit Questions 

The history of our area can be divided into several major eras. In this section, Desert Les is asking yer to write three sentences that identify the dates and major characteristics of each era associated with the listed term. 

#1. Hohokam

#2. Desplobado

#3. Apache, Yavapai

#4. Mining

#5. Military Campaign

#6. Ranching

#7. Homesteading

#8. Tourism

#9. Annexation

#10. Rapid Growth

#11. Preservation 

Section II. Place Exhibit Questions 

In three sentences or less identify and describe the following places. Pardner, if it improves yer answer, include a date.  

#12.  Black Mountain

#13.  Boulders

#14. Carefree

#15. Cartwright Family Ranch

#16. Cave Creek Station

#17. Curry’s Corners

#18. Desert Forest Golf Course

#19. Dick Van Dyke’s Studio

#20.  Dude Ranches, e.g. Spur Cross, Rancho Manana, Sierra Vista

#21. Harold’s

#22. Ironwood Golf Course

#23. MacDonald’s Ranch

#24. Military Trail

#25. Mormon Girl Mine

#26. Jerry & Florence Nelson’s Well

#27. Pinnacle Peak

#28. Pinnacle Peak Patio

#29. Reata Pass Steakhouse

#30. Rawhide

#31. Turberculosis Cabins 

Section III. People Exhibit Questions 

Who are these people and what role did they play in our area’s history? Please answer in three sentences or less and provide dates as necessary.  

#32.  Big Brownie

#33. Dick Van Dyke

#34. Doc Cavelliere

#35. Jerry & Florence Nelson

#36. John W. Hampton

#37. K.T. Palmer

#38. Les Rhuart

#39. Lon Megargee

#40. Tom Darlingon

#41. Old Rackensack

#42. Corki Cockburn, Vince Thelander, Les Rhuart, Fred Griffin

#43. Pablo 

Section IV. Preservation Exhibit Questions 

For many years, residents have fought to preserve the area’s unique beauty. In two sentences or less, identify each of the ordinances, preserves, and preservation-related groups listed below. 

#44. Black Mountain Conservancy

#45. Cave Creek Improvement Association

#46. Coalition of Pinnacle Peak

#47. Desert Foothills Land Trust Parks & Preserves

#48. Desert Foothills Overlay

#49. Desert Foothills Property Owners

#50. Desert Foothills Land Trust

#51. ESLO

#52. Friends of the Scenic Drive

#53. Greater Pinnacle Peak Homeowners Association (Greater Pinnacle Peak Association)

#54. McDowell Sonoran Land Trust (McDowell Sonoran Conservancy)

#55. McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#56. Native Plant Ordinance

#57. Pinnacle Peak Park

#58. Scenic Corridor Guidelines 

Yer End of Quiz

Pardner, yer finished. Return to this site and article on March 15th and Desert Les will have all the correct answers waitin’. Yup. 

For Additional Scenic Drive Information

 Web: www.scenicdrive.org