ASU Libraries: Dorothy Gilbert and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, 1960-64

Squaw Peak Trails 7/63, ACC# 98-1906, 15/5F

Dorothy Gilbert and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve

produced by the Arizona Collection, Arizona State University Libraries

1960-64

1960
*Two County Parks Will Go To The City, 4/16/60,* Arizona Republic. *Public Faces Loss Of Parks Land* by Ben Avery, 3/13/60, Arizona Republic. ACC# 98-1906 4/3 Newspaper articles written by Ben Avery that prompted Dottie Gilbert into action.
Letter to Governor Paul Fannin, Ben Avery and others, 6/4/60. ACC# 98-1906, 4/3 Dottie Gilbert wrote letters to influential officials and individuals to convince them that Phoenix would benefit greatly by preserving the land bordering the Squaw Peak Park. The grassroots effort by Dottie Gilbert protected the land from being sold to real estate developers.
Letter to Dottie Gilbert from Ben Avery, 6/6/60. ACC# 98-1906, 4/3
Letter to Governor Paul Fannin from Obed L. Lassen, State Land Commissioner, 6/6/60. ACC# 98-1906,4/3
Letter to Ben Avery from Dottie Gilbert, 6/9/60. ACC# 98-1906, 4/3
Letter to Dottie Gilbert from Assistant City Manager Charles A. Esser with a copy of Proposed Park development of Federal Lands Adjacent to Squaw Peak. ACC# 98-1906, 1/51, 3 pages An exchange of letters during June demonstrates the grassroots effort in place to preserve the Phoenix Mountains.
*Peak Park Extension Planned, by Jack Crowe 7/26/60*, Arizona Republic. ACC# 98-1906, 4/3 Phoenix City Council voted to acquire as much as possible of the public land area of Squaw Peak Park. In August the city filed for 1500 acres.
1961
Arizona State Horsemen Association (ASHA) Minutes 3/3/61, ACC# 98-1906 4/3 Establishment of the Trails Committee on February 10, 1961 with a mission to acquire as much land as possible for Squaw Peak. Dottie Gilbert was on this committee.
Exchange of letters concerning the acquisition of 599 acres of federal land. 2/16/61 ACC# 98-1996 4/3, 5 pages On February 16, 1961 Dottie Gilbert sent letters to Cedric Austin, Parks Commissioner; Sam Mardian, Mayor of Phoenix; Charles Esser, Assistant City Manager; and Alex Cordova, City Assessor as she began her campaign to prompt Phoenix to acquire 599 acres of federal land adjacent to Squaw Peak Park. Letters illustrate her style: factual information embellished with persuasive language.
Letter from Alexander Cordova, City Assessor explains the federal land situation, 2/24/61. ACC# 98-1996 4/3
Letter to Orren Beatty , Administrative Assistant, Secretary of Interior from Dorothy Gilbert , 8/10/61. ACC# 98-1996 4/3
Letter to Dottie Gilbert from assistant to the Secretary of Interior, Orren Beaty suggesting it would be a year to clear the land for acquisition. ACC# 98-1906, 4/3, 3 pages
Hand drawn map describing the federal land in question, 7/11/61. ACC# 98-1906, 4/4, 3 pages Also two letters, one from Charles Esser, Assistant City Manager and the other from A.A. Cordova, City Assessor demonstrate the grass root effort in place to preserve the Phoenix Mountains.
Presentation to the Phoenix City Council by ASHA 7/12/61 Need for Bridal Paths. ACC# 98-1906, 1/52, 5 pages
1962
Letter to Stewart Udall, 1/17/62. ACC# 98-1906, 4/4 Letters sent to politicians by James Witty, Trails Committee ASHA, to solicit support for trails and park expansion were also sent to: Morris Udall 8/3/62; Wesly Bolin 8/3/62; Carl Hayden 8/3/62; Governor Paul Fannin 8/3/62; and later Mrs. Barry Goldwater and President of the Biltmore Hotel, Wrigley Offield.
Letter from Fred Weller, State Director, Department of Interior ACC# 98-1906, 4/3, 2 pages Defines the land that is under general mining laws.
Presentation on June 25, 1962 by ASHA Need for a System of Hiking and Riding Trails. ACC# 98-1906, 4/4, 4 pages Delineates ASHA's past accomplishments and future plans to the Phoenix City Council.
Arizona State Horsemen Association organized a petition, 6/62. ACC# 98-1906, 2/3 ASHA presented the petition to the Phoenix City Council with 1300 signatures; calling for as much land as possible to be added the Squaw Peak Park. This moment is considered the grass roots beginning of Phoenix Mountains Preserve Council.
1963
Summary written by Cedric Austin concerning bond money, April 9, 1963. ACC# 98-1906, 4/1
Letter from U.S. Bureau of Land Management, June 18, 1963. ACC# 98-1906, 4/1 The letter details legal issues concerning the acquisition of additional land earmarked for preservation.
Need for a Larger Squaw Peak Park, December 5, 1963. ACC# 98-1906, 4/1, 3 pages The ASHA Trail Committee Region I continued their pursuit to attain the 599 acres. It took a decade to clear mining claims off federal land. Seventy-eight percent of Phoenix Mountains was privately owned.