Surrounded by luxurious estates and sprawling desert ranch-style homes, Camelback Cemetery is located on two acres of prime real estate in Paradise Valley, Arizona. This hidden historical treasure is the final resting place for approximately 900 local homesteaders, ranch workers and luminaries, including approximately 50 veterans.
Marked by simple white crosses as well as elaborate granite headstones, the cemetery’s story begins way back in 1915 when Hans and Mary Weaver were ranching a 160-acre spread about a mile from Camelback Mountain. Their beautiful daughter, Hattie, fell in love with and married a handsome poultry farmer Adolph Frank Poenicke, but alas, their bliss was destined to be short-lived.
Three weeks after the wedding, 20-year-old Adolph unexpectedly died. With no cemetery nearby, and wanting to bury his daughter’s lover in a place where she could visit his grave often, Hans created a makeshift cemetery on a portion of his land. Sadly, the next year, Mary Weaver passed away during an influenza epidemic and was buried next to her son-in-law.
Hans eventually dedicated the real estate the cemetery occupies and named it “Camelback Cemetery” in honor of the soaring mountain in the background. As time went on, ranch workers and farmers were laid to rest in the cemetery, as were local celebrities such as Joe “Cheyenne” Kiser, who died in 1961, but had been named the World Champion Cowboy of 1923-24. Elmer Powell, a former World War II Prisoner of War who survived the Bataan Death March, is also buried in Camelback Cemetery. After the war, Powell became a beloved veterinarian in Scottsdale. He died in 1984.
Perhaps the most well-known recent burials in Camelback Cemetery are Robert and Katherine “Kax” Kierland Herberger, namesake of such famous Phoenix landmarks as the Herberger Theater and Kierland Commons. Robert died in 1999 and Katherine died in 2003, and while the longtime valley residents certainly could have afforded to be buried elsewhere, they chose to be buried at Camelback Cemetery.
Camelback Cemetery is located across the street from Kiva Elementary School in the 6900 block of East McDonald Drive in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Cosanti Foundation’s Historic Home in Paradise Valley
Highly regarded world-wide as an architectural innovator, the legendary Paolo Soleri established the Cosanti Foundation in Paradise Valley, Arizona in 1956. Since that time, Cosanti has been the headquarters for this nonprofit educational organization dedicated to architectural research. Cosanti is also where Soleri established and created his well-known line of ceramic and bronze Soleri Windbells.
A designated Arizona historic site, Cosanti is intimately snuggled amongst the sprawling Paradise Valley homes and real estate that make up the luxuriously laidback desert community. The site features terraced landscaping with experimental earth-formed concrete structures, and visitors will delight in hearing the dulcet tones of the numerous bronze and ceramic wind-bells that are suspended all along the area’s shaded courtyards and pathways. In addition, visitors can view the bronze casting process weekday mornings at the on-site foundry.
About Paolo Soleri: Born in Torino, Italy, Soleri received his Doctorate in Architecture in his home country in 1946. He visited the United States in 1947 and spent a year and a half in fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, and also at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Soleri moved to Arizona 1956, creating his foundation shortly thereafter. Both Cosanti and Arcosanti (located north of Phoenix and Scottsdale in Cordes Junction, Arizona) are financially supported from revenues generated from the sales of Soleri Windbells and other Soleri items, which are available for purchase online and at both locations.
Cosanti is located at 6433 East Doubletree Ranch Road in Paradise Valley. The site is open seven days a week, except for being closed on major holidays. Admission is free.
A designated Arizona historic site, Cosanti is intimately snuggled amongst the sprawling Paradise Valley homes and real estate that make up the luxuriously laidback desert community. The site features terraced landscaping with experimental earth-formed concrete structures, and visitors will delight in hearing the dulcet tones of the numerous bronze and ceramic wind-bells that are suspended all along the area’s shaded courtyards and pathways. In addition, visitors can view the bronze casting process weekday mornings at the on-site foundry.
About Paolo Soleri: Born in Torino, Italy, Soleri received his Doctorate in Architecture in his home country in 1946. He visited the United States in 1947 and spent a year and a half in fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, and also at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Soleri moved to Arizona 1956, creating his foundation shortly thereafter. Both Cosanti and Arcosanti (located north of Phoenix and Scottsdale in Cordes Junction, Arizona) are financially supported from revenues generated from the sales of Soleri Windbells and other Soleri items, which are available for purchase online and at both locations.
Cosanti is located at 6433 East Doubletree Ranch Road in Paradise Valley. The site is open seven days a week, except for being closed on major holidays. Admission is free.
El Chorro Lodge, a Landmark in Paradise Valley
Nestled on 11 acres in the heart of prime Paradise Valley, Arizona real estate, the storied El Chorro Lodge is renowned for its historic charm and magnificent setting. Built in 1934 by well-known local businessman John C. Lincoln, this legendary landmark is snuggled in the sensational shadows of Camelback and Mummy mountains and was originally designed and used as the Judson School for Girls. In fact, the original schoolroom currently serves as the main bar of this iconic restaurant.
El Chorro Lodge was open for over 50 years (from 1952 until 2009), before it was closed for a complete renovation focused on the preservation of its romantic allure and ambience. Upon reopening in February of 2010, patrons were delighted to see expanded alfresco fireplaces, gardens, lounges and even a bocce ball lawn had been incorporated into the new design. Both the interior and exterior décor are focused on capturing the rich history of both El Chorro Lodge as well as the entire state of Arizona.
Fresh, organic and locally-grown ingredients are a mainstay of the restaurant’s new menu, and while there are a wealth of healthy lifestyle selections available, many longtime valley favorites including the Lodge’s world-famous sticky buns and relish tray are still served with each and every meal.
Whether you own a home in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale or metropolitan Phoenix or are just visiting, El Chorro Lodge is a fabulous place to experience a bit of the romance and charm so prevalent in days gone by.
In summary, the Mission Statement of El Chorro Lodge says it best: “This Sonoran-inspired gathering place embraces its roots as an Arizona landmark where occasions are celebrated, memories are made, community and the environment are embraced and where bodies and spirits of all ages are nourished and entertained.”
El Chorro Lodge was open for over 50 years (from 1952 until 2009), before it was closed for a complete renovation focused on the preservation of its romantic allure and ambience. Upon reopening in February of 2010, patrons were delighted to see expanded alfresco fireplaces, gardens, lounges and even a bocce ball lawn had been incorporated into the new design. Both the interior and exterior décor are focused on capturing the rich history of both El Chorro Lodge as well as the entire state of Arizona.
Fresh, organic and locally-grown ingredients are a mainstay of the restaurant’s new menu, and while there are a wealth of healthy lifestyle selections available, many longtime valley favorites including the Lodge’s world-famous sticky buns and relish tray are still served with each and every meal.
Whether you own a home in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale or metropolitan Phoenix or are just visiting, El Chorro Lodge is a fabulous place to experience a bit of the romance and charm so prevalent in days gone by.
In summary, the Mission Statement of El Chorro Lodge says it best: “This Sonoran-inspired gathering place embraces its roots as an Arizona landmark where occasions are celebrated, memories are made, community and the environment are embraced and where bodies and spirits of all ages are nourished and entertained.”
Paradise Valley is Home to a Mountain of a Mummy
Whoever heard of a mountain named after an Egyptian burial symbol?
Well, if you own a home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Mummy Mountain is part and parcel of your daily life and visual landscape.
But how did this rugged mountain get its funky name?
Back in the day, this saguaro-studded mountain was known by some as Windy Gulch while others called it Horseshoe Mountain, but according to the Town of Paradise Valley website, it was long-time resident Charlie Mieg who finally named it Mummy Mountain. Charlie, a Swiss by birth, made his money in real estate and banking in New York City. Later, he continued to hit it rich in Florida, before relocating to Arizona in the early 1940s and making his home in the area that would become Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
Good old Charlie, who was now prospecting for gold, was so enamored by the barren beauty of the area that it is said he borrowed $8,000 of the $12,000 purchase price from his mother-in-law so that he could purchase real estate all along the north and east sides of Windy Gulch. You see, in addition to being a miner, Charlie was a savvy businessman. He knew that the mountain views were exceptional, and that people would some day want to build homes in the valley. Ergo, he tossed off his miner’s hardhat and went back into the real estate biz so he could sell parcels of land from all around his mountain property.
Okay, finally, we’re getting to the part about the mummy. The historical grapevine has it that Mieg felt “Horseshoe Mountain” and “Windy Gulch” weren’t particularly sexy and didn’t have much marketing appeal. One day, he took a long look and decided that the mountain closely resembled an Egyptian mummy lying down, and apparently believing that a more interesting name would help sell his properties, voila - Mummy Mountain was born.
Well, if you own a home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Mummy Mountain is part and parcel of your daily life and visual landscape.
But how did this rugged mountain get its funky name?
Back in the day, this saguaro-studded mountain was known by some as Windy Gulch while others called it Horseshoe Mountain, but according to the Town of Paradise Valley website, it was long-time resident Charlie Mieg who finally named it Mummy Mountain. Charlie, a Swiss by birth, made his money in real estate and banking in New York City. Later, he continued to hit it rich in Florida, before relocating to Arizona in the early 1940s and making his home in the area that would become Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
Good old Charlie, who was now prospecting for gold, was so enamored by the barren beauty of the area that it is said he borrowed $8,000 of the $12,000 purchase price from his mother-in-law so that he could purchase real estate all along the north and east sides of Windy Gulch. You see, in addition to being a miner, Charlie was a savvy businessman. He knew that the mountain views were exceptional, and that people would some day want to build homes in the valley. Ergo, he tossed off his miner’s hardhat and went back into the real estate biz so he could sell parcels of land from all around his mountain property.
Okay, finally, we’re getting to the part about the mummy. The historical grapevine has it that Mieg felt “Horseshoe Mountain” and “Windy Gulch” weren’t particularly sexy and didn’t have much marketing appeal. One day, he took a long look and decided that the mountain closely resembled an Egyptian mummy lying down, and apparently believing that a more interesting name would help sell his properties, voila - Mummy Mountain was born.
Paradise Valley Home to the Excellent Tesseract School
There are a number of reasons that Paradise Valley homes are so highly sought after by families. Along with excellent public schools, the community is also home to several outstanding private schools. One of these is the Tesseract School.
Founded in 1988, the Tesseract School is a non-denominational, co-educational school for children in pre-school through high school. Boasting an overall student/teacher ratio of 8:1, the school has two campuses located around the corner from each other – Upper and Lower campus.
Utilizing a multi-sensory, integrated approach to learning, Tesseract students are encouraged to develop their natural talents in areas including foreign language, numeric analysis, communication, written reflection, athletics and the arts. Grounded in the belief that learning does not begin and end in the classroom, middle school students regularly enjoy visits from guest speakers, participate in local field trips and take an annual curriculum-related class trip.
Meanwhile, Tesseract’s college-preparatory high school features an innovative, student-centered curriculum emphasizing cross-curricular connections, authentic learning and international exposure. Freshman study the foundations of civilization with hands-on experiences at historic landmarks, ancient ruins and museums. Sophomore year highlights science and math, showcased by a trip to research labs and universities in California. Juniors study foreign language and cultures, including class trips to China and South America, while senior year’s focus is on independent exploration and internal development.
If you are interested in an independent, private education and you are considering purchasing a home or residential real estate in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix or surrounding communities, you should take a look at the Tesseract School to see if it meets the needs of you and your family.
Founded in 1988, the Tesseract School is a non-denominational, co-educational school for children in pre-school through high school. Boasting an overall student/teacher ratio of 8:1, the school has two campuses located around the corner from each other – Upper and Lower campus.
Utilizing a multi-sensory, integrated approach to learning, Tesseract students are encouraged to develop their natural talents in areas including foreign language, numeric analysis, communication, written reflection, athletics and the arts. Grounded in the belief that learning does not begin and end in the classroom, middle school students regularly enjoy visits from guest speakers, participate in local field trips and take an annual curriculum-related class trip.
Meanwhile, Tesseract’s college-preparatory high school features an innovative, student-centered curriculum emphasizing cross-curricular connections, authentic learning and international exposure. Freshman study the foundations of civilization with hands-on experiences at historic landmarks, ancient ruins and museums. Sophomore year highlights science and math, showcased by a trip to research labs and universities in California. Juniors study foreign language and cultures, including class trips to China and South America, while senior year’s focus is on independent exploration and internal development.
If you are interested in an independent, private education and you are considering purchasing a home or residential real estate in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix or surrounding communities, you should take a look at the Tesseract School to see if it meets the needs of you and your family.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Paradise Valley Real Estate Offers Excellent Schools
There are a number of reasons that Paradise Valley homes are so highly sought after by families. Here’s one: excellent schools. Chances are, if you’re looking to buy a home, land or other residential real estate in Paradise Valley, you’re already interested in the local school district. While there are many exceptional private schools nearby, the top-rated Paradise Valley public schools are also an outstanding choice for many families. In fact, the Paradise Valley Unified School District is currently considered one of Arizona’s most “Excelling” school districts, with 22 schools earning the highest rating from the Arizona Department of Education.
The Paradise Valley district consists of 45 schools: 31 elementary schools (kindergarten through grade six), eight middle schools (grades seven and eight) and six high schools (grades nine through 12). The district offers a variety of specialized education choice programs, including K-12 International Baccalaureate, Core Knowledge©, S.T.E.M.G2 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Global Geography), Digital Learning Center and much more.
With a total enrollment of over 33,000 students, the Paradise Valley district is the seventh largest school district in Arizona. The district’s 98-square-mile boundaries include a significant portion of northeast Phoenix as well as a portion of north Scottsdale, and extend from Seventh Avenue on the west to Pima Road on the east. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue, with the northern boundary being Jomax Road.
One important note is that even if your home is outside the Paradise Valley school district boundaries, you still have the opportunity to enroll your child in a Paradise Valley school through the Open Enrollment process. Open Enrollment packets are available at the school sites or at Paradise Valley Unified School District.
The Paradise Valley district consists of 45 schools: 31 elementary schools (kindergarten through grade six), eight middle schools (grades seven and eight) and six high schools (grades nine through 12). The district offers a variety of specialized education choice programs, including K-12 International Baccalaureate, Core Knowledge©, S.T.E.M.G2 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Global Geography), Digital Learning Center and much more.
With a total enrollment of over 33,000 students, the Paradise Valley district is the seventh largest school district in Arizona. The district’s 98-square-mile boundaries include a significant portion of northeast Phoenix as well as a portion of north Scottsdale, and extend from Seventh Avenue on the west to Pima Road on the east. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue, with the northern boundary being Jomax Road.
One important note is that even if your home is outside the Paradise Valley school district boundaries, you still have the opportunity to enroll your child in a Paradise Valley school through the Open Enrollment process. Open Enrollment packets are available at the school sites or at Paradise Valley Unified School District.
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