Springerville Arizona

Springerville Arizona was settled in 1879 and grew all around a trading post owned by a man named Henry Springer. It wasn't uncommon for western settlements to grow from trading post sites. The town is located in the Round Valley of northeastern Arizona.

Casa Malpais Museum, Springerville, AZ

Springerville's early industry revolved around cattle and sheep ranching. If your road trip takes you through this scenic part of Arizona a stop at Springerville is well worth your time. The town which sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet is located at the junction of US 60 and State Highways 180 and 191.

Springerville's Ranching History

Springerville's ranching history is a colorful one. If you've heard about the famous Magdalena Cattle Trail, Springerville Arizona resided at the western end. This was a cattle trail that ran all the way from Springerville Arizona to Socorro New Mexico and the rail lines there. The Magdalena Trail through New Mexico had the same importance as the Chisholm Trail and the Goodnight-Loving Trail which both originated in Texas.

The Magdalena Trail is also called the "Magdalena Stock Driveway". This cattle trail was a designation of land by the federal government for allowing enough area for ranchers to drive their herd to the rail heads. In several places the driveway could extend five to ten miles in width. This large area allowed ample forage for the herd. This land was open range. No fences whatsoever.

Furnishings in the Renee Donnet exhibit

Springerville Arizona's Lady Rancher

Another interesting piece of ranching history involving Springerville Arizona has to do with a lady by the name of Mrs. Renee Donnet. Born in France and able to speak five languages, Mrs. Donnet, who was raised to be a pianist, came from a prominent European family. Many questioned how a woman from this background could end up being one of the world's largest ranchers. In fact, most of her friends thought her Arizona adventures were temporary and that she would eventually return to either New York or Paris. Neither occurred.

Mrs. Donnet's first husband was an heir to the Sears-Roebuck fortune. In that marriage she was given the choice of residing in either Chicago or Philadelphia. The marriage ended in divorce. Her second marriage was to a surgeon by the name of Dr. J.V. Donnet. Donnet had cattle interests in Arizona and practiced in a Phoenix hospital. 

When you visit Springerville Arizona you'll want to stop by two very interesting museums. These museums will give you an excellent picture of the ranching industry that was so big to the area as well as a glimpse of the life and career of Mrs. Renee Donnet.

Donnet Steinway Grand Piano

Mrs. Renee Donnet died in Switzerland in 1969. She had been away from Springerville for some twenty years. Mrs. Donnet's ranching career had begun during 1940 and 1941. The first ranch purchased was the A-K Ranch near Arlington Arizona. Then it was the Fry Ranch outside of Tucson. Next was the White Mountain Hereford Ranch and then the Cowden Ranch. Mrs. Donnet purchased four different ranches in Arizona totaling about 70,000 acres. In addition to this she operated grape and sheep farms in southern France.

After her death the then Mrs. Renee Cushman willed her furnishings and artwork collection to the local Latter-day Saints Church. The exhibit at the Casa Malpais Museum which is explained below came from that collection.

The Casa Malpais Museum

In downtown Springerville you'll want to stop by the Casa Malpais Museum. The museum features ancient artifacts excavated from the ancient ancestral pueblo. The museum features pots, projectile points, jewelry, stone tools, books and interactive media. You'll also want to view their short film regarding the Springerville area.

Artwork outside Casa Malpais Museum

 In the Casa Malpais Museum you'll also be able to view many pieces of furnishing and artwork donated by Mrs. Donnet. You'll view some very interesting European art which was part of the Donnet collection. Some of the antique furniture is the work of master craftsmen, with elaborate inlays of wood, metal, and tortoise shell. The exhibit also features a beautiful 1922 Steinway grand piano once owned by Mrs. Donnet. The Donnet exhibit is found in two rooms of the complex. This museum is located at 418 E. Main Street.

The Little House Museum

Located just a few miles west of Springerville Arizona is the Little House Museum. The museum is located on the X Diamond & MLY Ranch. This two story museum features exhibits about both ranching and pioneer life. Along with this the Little House Museum also exhibits a rare collection of automatic musical instruments. At his site tours to archaeological digs and petroglyphs are also available. The X Diamond Ranch is located off of Arizona Highway 260 about a ten mile drive west of Springerville.

Museum's Butterfly collection

Another very interestingstop to make in Springerville is to one of the twelve Madonna of the Trail monuments created by sculptor August Leimbach. Starting in 1927, the German sculptor Leimbach placed one monument in twelve different towns in the U.S. The Springerville Arizona monument is across from the Post Office on Main Street.

August Leimbach with his sculptures marked the national Old Trails Highway from Maryland to California. Each of the statues were dedicated during the years 1928 and 1929.




Below are two links to more Western Trips photo articles you may enjoy.

A Visit to Winslow Arizona

The Theodore Roosevelt Indian Boarding School

Visiting Springerville Arizona

One thing to recognize when visiting Springerville Arizona is it's proximity to the White Mountains and the recreational opportunities there. The Sunrise Ski Resort is also located in Apache County and is about a 27 mile drive southwest of town via AZ Hwy 260 and 273.

Round Valley Courthouse, Springerville, AZ

One of Arizona's top tourist areas is the Pinetop-Lakeside locale in the White Mountains. Pinetop-Lakeside is about 44 miles to the west of Springerville. Pinetop-Lakeside is surrounded by the beauty of the White Mountains, the Apache/Sitgreaves National Forest and the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing are all popular Arizona tourism recreational activities in this Ponderosa Pine area of Arizona.

Another very interesting site to add to your trip planner in this part of Arizona is Fort Apache. Located about 63 miles southwest of Springerville, Fort Apache features a Native American museum, several very historic structures from the fort's operational years as well as buildings of the Theodore Roosevelt Indian Boarding School which was established there in the 1920's. The school still functions today.
 

(Content and photos copyright Western Trips)

 

View Larger Map