THE HASSAYAMPA RIVER OF ARIZONA

BY: KATE BURDEN,Andrew Downing

THE HASSAYAMPA RIVER OF ARIZONA BY KATE BURDEN

The Hassayampa River, one hundred and fifty miles in length, was born in a peaceful little canyon on the rocky slopes of Mount Union, near Prescott, Arizona. Coursing its way through the rugged timber country of Central Arizona, it flows through but one sizeable community, the Town of Wickenburg, Arizona. The town gathers itself along its banks, lined with cottonwood trees, and sprawls out onto the mesas and surrounding hills.

The Indians called the River "the upside down river," for the water is almost wholly concealed in the sand of its bed, underground. Looking up into Box Canyon, towards the majestic Bradshaw Mountains, one may behold water. The mountains are snow-capped in winter, but in the spring their snowy tops melt in the warm sun, the water coming to the surface to make a resurgent river, seeping into Box Canyon. Spring fed in some places, the river doles out small streams here and there, eagerly sought by white-faced cattle, as they roam the dry river bed.

Seldom do the waters entirely rise from their underground home. Only after prolonged, heavy rains does the river transform itself into a raging beast, loosed fromcaptivity, rushing, swirling and gnawing at its own banks. It is said that the name Hassayampa originated with the explorer, Pauline Weaver, who upon reaching its banks and perceiving the fabulous underground flow, named it the Assiamp River, from an Indian word meaning "water that is hidden." Later, this name was changed to Hassayamp, by the recorder who kept books for the Walker Mining District. Those who lived and worked along its banks became known as Hassavampers, which evolved, with the substitution of an "A," into the present name, Hassayampa. This name has been generally accepted through the years and remains today. The pioneers also had a legend for the Hassayampa River.

captivity, rushing, swirling and gnawing at its own banks. It is said that the name Hassayampa originated with the explorer, Pauline Weaver, who upon reaching its banks and perceiving the fabulous underground flow, named it the Assiamp River, from an Indian word meaning "water that is hidden." Later, this name was changed to Hassayamp, by the recorder who kept books for the Walker Mining District. Those who lived and worked along its banks became known as Hassavampers, which evolved, with the substitution of an "A," into the present name, Hassayampa. This name has been generally accepted through the years and remains today. The pioneers also had a legend for the Hassayampa River.

"And whoso drinks that nectar rare And breathes that free, inspiring air Is thrilled with love that never dies For Arizona's undimmed skies Beyond the borderland of home His heart is never stilled, or knows Peace or contentment or repose Till Fortune guides his steps once more Towards Hassayampa's golden shore."

There must be some truth in the legend, for the Town of Wickenburg attracts people from all over the world. They come to the guest ranches for a vacation in the sun, for Wickenburg, with seven guest ranches in the area, is a noted winter vacation and travel center. Guests stop at the many attractive motels in the town for an overnight stay and return to stay longer. They come to visit and stay to build their own homes on the surrounding hills, overlooking the wide Hassayampa River. The business section of the town bustles with activity. Stores, retaining the unique architecture of the old days, serve the inhabitants and the visitors the necessities of life coupled with the Indian and Western glamour in clothes and jewelry and leather goods. It was the glitter of gold that first lured the intrepid adventurers of the 1860's to Arizona, and many rich strikes were made in localities bordering the Hassayampa. The stories of these rich finds were looked upon with a measure of disbelief by others of the territory. It soon became a standing joke of the day to blame the drinking of the waters of the Hassayampa for the supposedly tall tales. Thus, another legend was written about the Has-sayampa River and put to verse by Andrew Downing. There's a legend centuries old By the early Spaniards told Of a sparkling stream that "lies" Under Arizona skies Hassayampa is its name And the title to its fame Is a wondrous quality Known today from sea to sea Those who drink its waters bright Red man, white man, boor or knight Girls, or women, boys or men Never tell the truth again. Despite this legend, the third and by far the richest discovery of gold was made by Henry Wickenburg in 1863, along the course of the Hassayampa, at a point about fifteen miles west of the community which now bears his name. He called his find "The Vulture" after the bird, that even today may be seen soaring and swooping over Vulture Mountain, near the mine. Vulture Mine, in the years that have passed, produced over ten million dollars worth of gold bullion. It is very probable that only the surface of mining

Only once in its existence has the Hassayampa been harnessed and then only for a short time. Those who lived along its banks at the height of its gold producing fame, had great difficulty in securing supplies. To overcome this hazard, several of the more progressive citizens conceived the idea of building dams across the upper reaches of the river to provide water for farming.

In the year 1880, construction was started on thefirst dam at Walnut Grove. Ten years later, as it neared completion, a series of heavy rains set in. By February, 1890, the torrential rains still persisted and the dam was brim full. The men struggled frantically to finish the job, but to no avail. On the night of February 22nd, the spillway of the dam was choked with debris and its floodgate jammed with logs. The raging waters roared over the top of the dam and in the space of a few minutes destroyed it completely. Oldtimers say that it took the released waters only 45 minutes to travel the forty miles from Walnut Grove to Wickenburg.

So the great Hassayampa rebelled against the restraining influence of man's attempt to leash its power The "West" still lives at Wickenburg.

and remains today serene, independent, strong in its underground home. Such a river was destined to become historically important and to take its place in the annals of our country. According to the tradition of our Navy to name their fleet of oil tankers after rivers of the United States, the Navy's newest and largest oil tanker, the U.S.S. Hassayampa was commissioned at Philadelphia on April 19th of last year. Many miles away in the town of Wickenburg, Amor Ita, a well-known artist of the Southwest, was commissioned by the Sun, Wickenburg's weekly newspaper, to paint a picture of the Hassayampa River. From her easel, Amor Ita looked towards Box Canyon to the Bradshaw Mountains and captured the beauty and enchantment of the river. The picture now hangs in the wardroom of the ship, while a jug of Hassayampa water may well carry the legends of the Hassayampa River to many foreign ports as the Tanker U.S.S. Hassayampa plies the seas, refueling Uncle Sam's ships. The Hassayampa River, mysterious, ageless, has added its Indian and Western tradition to the long and glorious tradition of our United States Navy, with a jug of its own waters and the inspiring picture of the river, itself, framed by desert, canyons, mountains.