June 30. 2021
Introduction
Our organization, Friends of the Scenic Drive, with the support of the City of Scottsdale and area residents launched an effort in late1994 to preserve and enhance the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive along the norther reaches of Scottsdale Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The article below appeared in the Black Mountain News celebrates a major milestone in the creation of the scenic drive that was announced 56 years ago.
The Black Mountain News was published starting in the late 1950s. The articles below was written by Corkie Cockburn, the publication’s editor. The idea for creating a scenic drive, later named the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, was hers and she played a leadership role in its establishment.
The Black Mountain News was published by the Cave Creek School’s Mother’s Club. Proceeds from the sale of the newspaper benefited the school system. A copy of the newspaper cost 10 cents.
July 10, 1964. Scenic Drive Gets Go Ahead
By Corki Cockburn
As Published in the Black Mountain News
“The 19-mile Desert Scenic Drive receives go ahead when plans were approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors last week.
Vince Thelander, Chairman of the Cave Creek Improvement Assn. Roads Committee, announced the plans submitted call for roadside parks, historical markers and signs identifying various desert growth and outstanding landmarks.
The 19-mile Desert Scenic Drive will extend from a point north of the Eleven Mile Cattleguard on Cave Creek Rd. through Cave Creek, Carefree and south to Scottsdale Rd. to just below Jomax Road.
For a year, the CCIA Road Committee, Vince Thelander, Fred Griffin and Les Rhuart, have worked on the Scenic Drive possibility. The first step was taken last spring when the County Board of Supervisors were asked to pass an amendment to the setback ordinance along portions of these roads so that no building could be placed within 105 feet of the centerline. At the present, there are no buildings along the route, except in the two villages of Cave Creek and Carefree. The committee request was prompted by a desire to “”preserve one of the few remaining true desert regions along major roadways leading out of the Phoenix metropolitan area.”
In December, the Supervisors adopted the setback amendment and the CCIA committee was able to go ahead with the plans. In the past weeks, meetings with the Federal Land Management Depts., and County Parks Commission have worked out plans for leasing of 2 five acre sites for future development as roadside parks at the entrances to the drive. It is hopeful that additional turnoffs at special viewpoints can be acquired. The Highway Dept. is cooperating in planning placement of the identifying signs along the roadway.
Joseph C. Herrick, County Mgr., in a letter to the Improvement Assn. Committee, said, “”The Board appreciates greatly the efforts of such civic-minded groups as your Improvement Assn., and the work you are doing to beautify our community.”” The committee members are Vince Thelander,
Chairman, Leslie Rhuart, Carefree and Fred Griffin, Cave Creek. Work on the signs have started and it is hoped that when the call goes out for volunteers to help paint and set them in place, the workers in the village will respond to the call.
Scenic drives are not new in Arizona. The best example is the Pinal Pioneer Highway near Tucson. Not only is the desert remaining a wonderful showplace for pacifying motorists, but land values have increased greatly.
Love of our unique desert beauty is a common tie to those who live in Cave Creek and Carefree. Others are attracted to this same beauty and it is inevitable that “civilization” will encroach upon and destroy some of that charm. By giving increasing importance to the preservation of our native growth, it is hoped that visitors will enjoy – and treat with respect – our desert.”
More Information
The Scenic Drive section of this website tells the story of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and describes the numerous project that have been carried out to preserve and enhance it.
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