TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE

Able, yet unknown extent. From the roofs of these caverns hang many stalactites resembling huge icicles, and from the floors of which rise the same inverted fantastic formations, resulting from like processes employed by nature in the formation of the bridge. Access to the caves and caverns is by a series of ladders, set firmly in the walls, extending from the floor of the bridge into the far reaches of the roof. An unusual feature of the bridge is a hole about a foot in diameter which has weathered through the top of the arch, where one can peer through to the depths below and see the rapids, constantly fed by the spring water pouring out of the cliff sides, wending their way swiftly through and over the many giant boulders strewn on the floor of the gorge. From the top of the bridge a steep, rugged but safe foot trail leads to the creek bed and under the bridge. It is quite unbelievable, the beauty unfolded from the floor of the span. A constant dripping from seepage through the porous travertine gives an added enchantment to the unusual scene.

So fantastic, so vast, yet the pecularities of its "architecture," make it one of the most difficult objects to photo graph. Only by seeing the bridgewandering through the great network of flora and huge rock formations-climbing to its caves and caverns-listening to the singing water dropping from boulder to boulder can its magnificence even be comprehended.

The history of the discovery and the early days at Tonto Natural Bridge is a fascinating one. Just when it was first found and who were the first discoverers is quite unimportant. Soon after 1880, a Briton named Dave Gowan established a homestead on the property. Known as a hermit, Gowan was a "quaint, sincere, large-hearted man, straight, thick-chested, with twinkling eyes and long gray hair." Upon seeing this site he must have envisioned great possibilities. It was utter wilderness. Through hard work and courageous effort, he cleared the valley and set to work constructing buildings and planting crops. It must have been a hazardous and difficult task hauling supplies down this tortuous mountain side by burro for the construction work. There was no road then, just rugged natural wilds. For some score of years, the whereabouts of Gowan remained unknown to relatives in Scotland. The story of the great bridge was given to newspapers by Gowan, and copied extensively by papers throughout the world. Gowan's relatives in Scotland read of it in an English newspaper and seeing the name of the owner connected with it, their curiosity was aroused. Upon investigation they found it to be the longlost uncle. Following an exchange of letters, the Goodfellow family was persuaded to make the 6,000 mile trip from Scotland by steamer, rail, wagon and horseback to the little homestead in the Tonto wilds. Gowan, anxious to get back to his wandering and prospecting, turn-ed the place over to the Goodfellow family whose descendants have carried on there to the present time. Instead of the humble shacks as first erected by Dave Gowan, today a splendid ranch home, known as the Natural Bridge Ranch, stands in its place. The same fine orchards and gardens vineyards and crops prevail. Pack and saddle animals are available for interesting trips to many points in the vicinity. There are individual cottages for guests and fine food is served by the Goodfellows there. Driving from Roosevelt Dam off the Apache Trail, north over the Pine-Payson road and skirting for miles beautiful Roosevelt lake through sections of great scenic beauty a drive of 60 miles (12 miles beyond Payson), a huge sign directs visitors three miles west where all of a sudden far below, almost appearing as a toy, is the tiny greenspot. Breathtaking in its beauty, surrounded by the rugged mountains-brown, drab-this beauty spot sparkles magically in the sun.. A safe, winding trail, blasted out of the mountain sides, takes you down and down, some 1500 feet or more to the little farm, with its swimming pool, stables, and similar features. One wonders how such a thing as the world's largest travertine arch could be here and nowhere in sight. But upon reaching its brink, several hundred yards beyond, after having actually walked upon its roof, there it is and unsuspectingly, the revelation is complete. Tonto Natural Bridge can also be reached easily from Flagstaff by way of the lakes or from Prescott by way of Jerome and Clarkdale.