July 31, 2019
Edited by Les Conklin
Excerpts from Friends of the Scenic Drive Website
As published in A Peek at the Peak magazine, June 2006
Prologue
Palo Verde,, NE Corner Jomax & Scottsdale Road on Scenk Drive, May 2019.
“The beauty of the roadsides should not be destroyed, but civilization left to itself does destroy beauty. So much for why we should support the setback ordinance, if it is worth having an extra-special road, it is worth fighting for.”
Black Mountain News, October 18, 1963
The people of Cave Creek and Carefree acted in 1963 and created something “special.” They also created an opportunity for Scottsdale to establish a roadside that is truly different. Friends of the Scenic Drive continues the struggle that the Cave Creek Improvement Association began in 1963. Friends needs your support. Do you have an idea for an enhancement or project that will help keep the Scenic Drive roadside special and protect our community’s heritage? If so, let The Peak know about it. “If it is worth having an extra-special road, it is worth fighting for.”
Editor
Website Excerpts
For years, the only way into Cave Creek was via Cave Creek Road, a narrow two-lane road through open desert. In 1963, there were only a few houses in the foothills area and Scottsdale Road had been recently paved up to the new town of Carefree. It was natural for residents to worry about the future of their beloved desert.
Corkie Cockburn, long-time Cave Creek resident and community activist, later described her motivation for initiating the effort to create a scenic drive. “It was a moonlit evening in 1963. My husband and I and another couple were making the lonely, quiet drive home through the tall saguaros and thickets of jumping cholla. We spoke of our fear that the roadside would become lined with neon-lit gas stations and motels like Apache Boulevard in Mesa where we had been earlier in the day. Creating the Scenic Drive was our way of preserving the desert. Other founders included Fred Griffin, Les Rhuart and Vince Thelander.”
“Divine Desert Drive” by Chad Weaver, Carefree – Winner Scenic Drive Category, 2015 Summer Fun Photo Contest
Preservation Effort Publicized
Corkie Cockburn was also the editor of The Black Mountain News, which was published starting in the late 1950s by the Cave Creek School’s Mother’s Club. Proceeds from the sale of the newspaper benefited the school system. The newspaper cost 10 cents per copy.
The articles we selected for this article describe the origins of the Scenic Drive, who was involved, and why they believed it was an important endeavor. The excerpts below reflect the concerns and far-sighted thinking of residents and Maricopa County officials. Tom Darlington and J. T. Palmer, the developers of the then new town of Carefree, were enthusiastic supporters of the effort.
“Cave Creek Improvement Association Meeting”
Black Mountain News, March 8, 1963
“A resolution was adopted by the Cave Creek Improvement Association at their Thursday meeting, petitioning the County Board of Supervisors to take necessary action to preserve the scenic right-of-way along Cave Creek and Scottsdale Roads.
Curt Cockburn, chairman of the Zoning Committee, presented correspondence with County officials recommending a 75-to 100-foot right-of-way from the center line. Corky Cockburn was appointed temporary chairman of a group to initiate action on the resolution.
The zoning, if successful, would extend from the 11-mile cattle guard on Cave Creek Road to Scottsdale Road, and south of the cattle guard north of Curry’s Corner (ed. the intersection of Pinnacle Peak Road and Scottsdale Road).”
“Shoot for Scenic Drive”
Black Mountain News, August 23, 1963
“Members of the Cave Creek Improvement Association, at a meeting Monday, August 12, voted to proceed with a study preliminary to establishing scenic rights-of-way along Cave Creek and Scottsdale Roads.
Don Hutton, member of the Maricopa County and Planning and Zoning Commission, and John Stanzel, an assistant, presented a report requested earlier by the Association to determine whether such a scenic highway was feasible and what would be the maximum width that could be reasonably established. Mr. Hutton emphasized that such action did not involve condemning land.
People who live in Cave Creek and Carefree are aware of the increasing heavy flow of traffic through the two communities. Much of it continues north to Bartlett or Horseshoe Dams and Seven Springs. It is probable to suppose that the Cave Creek – Camp Creek Road will one day be paved through to Bloody Basin.
Vince Thelander, chairman of the Association’s Road Committee, states that the aim of the Cave Creek/Carefree group is to preserve and enhance a section of ̀̀living desert that is particularly endowed with a variety of native Arizona flora.
K.T. Palmer emphasized the increase in property value along such a scenic route and said that deed restrictions in Carefree provide 270 feet between house fronts and along Scottsdale Road.”
Scenic Drive Plant Exhibit Sign .
“Scenic Highway”
Black Mountain News, October 18, 1963
A great deal of the charm of Cave Creek is the long leisurely drive through the desert. After rushed hours in Phoenix, who doesn’t sit back and relax along about the 11-mile cattle guard, kick off the shoes or loosen the girdle. Scottsdale Rd. has the same effect. The wonder and delight of finding such a beautiful area at the end of a lovely drive brings many Sunday drivers back time and again — and is probably why most of us are here now.
Dollar and cents wise, Cave Creek-Carefree businessmen cannot afford NOT to support this ordinance and all it entails. Money is made in proportion to the number of winter visitors and the Sunday drivers that pass the shops. Let the roads get congested, let houses and shops border the highways as in Cactus and THUD! – there goes our tourist money. We have many miles of commercial frontage just in Cave Creek. It takes a lot of water dogs, postcards, and coffee to support these.
The beauty of the roadsides should not be destroyed, but civilization left to itself does destroy beauty. So much for why we should support the setback ordinance, if it is worth having an extra-special road, it is worth fighting for.”
“Setbacks Approved by Commission”
Black Mountain News, November 15, 1963
“The Maricopa County and Planning & Zoning Department, at a meeting Nov. 8th, voted to forward to the Board of Supervisors their study of a setback ordinance involving Cave Creek and Scottsdale Roads. This forward step in the orderly development of the Cave Creek area receives the support of several representative citizens and was unopposed. The motion was made by Vincent Thelander, member of the CCIA committee on roads, who has spent many hours of work toward success of this measure.”
“SCENIC DRIVE GETS GO AHEAD”
Friends of the Scenic Drive Helps Maintain and Enhance Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive.
Black Mountain News, July 10, 1964
“The 19-mile Desert Scenic Drive receives go ahead when plans were approved by the County Board of Supervisors last week. … 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.’
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 11-mile cattle guard on Cave Creek Rd. through Cave Creek, Carefree, and south to Scottsdale Rd. to just below Jomax Road.
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.”
“DESERT FOOTHILLS SCENIC DRIVE”
Black Mountain News, December 4, 1964
“Work is progressing on the signs for the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. At the time of this writing, the large `Entering the Desert Foothills Drive’ signs are about ready to be installed.
Every SATURDAY MORNING IS WORK-DAY! You are urged to support this project and come each Saturday to work on the signs. Workers are still requested to come help paint and prepare the signs. Work is done at the Cave Creek Building Supply on Saturday mornings, starting at 8:30 AM.”
DESERT FOOTHILLS SCENIC DRIVE
Black Mountain News, December 11, 1964
“One big final effort may finish work on the signs for the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. This final workday is called for December 19, 9 AM. at the Cave Creek Building Supply. Coffee and cookies will be served to help with the morale problem and keep circulation going if it happens to be a cold day.
All adults and teens are encouraged to come and lend a hand. This is a huge project but a very worthwhile one. It is time it was finished so the Drive can become a reality.”
Today, July 31, 2019
By Les Conklin
Group Photo from “Save the Scenic Drive” Video Shoot – 2/8/2015
Most of the content of the article above was originally written and printed more than 55 years ago in the Black Mountain News. The Black Mountain News was published by the Cave Creek Mothers Club. In 1996, the content was included in the original Desert Foothills Scenic Drive website by Friends of the Scenic Drive.
Today, Friends of the Scenic Drive is a corps of volunteers within the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association and the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive website is part of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association’s A Peek at the Peak website.
Since 2006 Scenic Drive enhancements included as part of the City of Scottsdale’s Bond 2000 have been completed. These enhancements included the completion of a long-term goal of undergrounding all roadside utility poles and lines, strengthening of roadside vegetation, installation and enhancement of roadside infrastructure that blends with the natural environment and intersection improvements.
GPPA’s Friends of the Scenic Drive continues to promote and organize regular roadside litter cleanup efforts and promote the preservation of the Scenic Drive through its initiatives and publications.
On the other side of the ledger, the State Trust Land that is home to the Scenic Drive’s exhibit area was given resort/commercial zoning. An action that aided Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve initiative but could have a long-term negative impact on the drive.
Your Help Needed
One thing has not changed. Friends of the Scenic Drive and the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association still need your support. To repeat what I wrote in 2006, “Do you have an idea for an enhancement or project that will help keep the Scenic Drive roadside special and protect our community’s heritage? If so, let The Peak know about it. “If it is worth having an extra-special road, it is worth fighting for.”
Related Articles
Scenic Drive Home Page (The Scenic Drive Website, www.scenicdrive.org, is now part of this website, click “Scenic Drive” in top menu.) Website
Scenic Drive Information Directory Article
Scenic Drive Spring Growth, May 15, 2019 Article
DISCOVERED! Proposal to Restore Forgotten Scenic Drive Article
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