ARIZONIQUES

A Guide to Places, Events, and People Skyscraping Saguaro

In the Maricopa Mountains east of Gila Bend stands a giant saguaro cactus. Normally that would hardly be worth mentioning-but this one is something special. It measures 57 feet 11½ inches in height, or a whisper less than a six-story building.

The enormous cactus impressed the compilers of The Guinness Book of World Records, too. Presented with a surveyor's measurements and photographs, they bounced the previous record holder, "Old Granddaddy," from their pages. The deposed champion, located in the Saguaro National Monument's east unit on the edge of Tucson, stands a mere 52 feet 6 inches tall.

In Search of Jesús García

"The Casey Jones of Mexico," some writers have dubbed him. But America's Casey never came close to the astounding act of railroad engineer Jesús García, who saved an entire town.

In November, 1907, García's cargo of dynamite caught fire while his train was in the center of Nacozari, about 90 miles south of Douglas, Arizona, in our neighboring Mexican state of Sonora. The young man stayed with the engine and rode it to the town's outskirts. There the freight exploded, destroying the train and

Edited by Vicky Hay Illustration by Jim Willoughby

Killing the valiant García.

Passing years have obscured and distorted the facts surrounding García's sacrifice. To clear up some of the mysteries, the Dons Club of Arizona this autumn will lead a three-day tour to the town, now known as Nacozari de García.

The travelcade will leave Phoenix by bus on November 6, reach Nacozari in time for the annual Jesús García Celebration the next day, and return November 8. For more details, call the Dons reservation desk, (602) 258-6016.

Dedera's latest book, In Search of Jesús García, is available for $7.95 plus $2.00 postage and handling through Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009; telephone (602) 258-1000.

A Knighthood for Stewart Udall

King Juan Carlos of Spain has named one of Arizona's best known natives and an Arizona Highways contributor, Stewart Udall, a Knight of the Order of Isabel the Catholic. The unusual honor came as a result of Udall's book To the Inland Empire: Coronado and Our Spanish Legacy. Pedro Pemboury,

Unique to Arizona and the Southwest.

The Spanish consul general, bestowed upon Udall the silver and enamel cross of the order at an April ceremony in Tucson.

Former secretary of the interior and a former congressman, Udall is an attorney and a prominent author on environmental and historical subjects. Among his writings published in Highways was an excerpt from the Coronado book entitled "Thoughts on Our Spanish Legacy," which appeared in the January 1988 issue. The essay reflects on the so-called "Black Legend," a lasting product of British and Protestant hostility toward Spain dating from the 16th century. The entire April 1984 issue of Highways was devoted to Udall's article "In Coronado's Footsteps," with photography by Jerry Jacka and illustrations by Bill Ahrendt.

They tell us Stewart Udall will henceforth be known as ilustrisimo, meaning "most honorable." But we already knew that. We'll probably just call him "Sir Stew."

Tohono Chul Park

Several years ago, Pima County decided to condemn a quarter-mile strip of Dick Wilson's Tucson property for a road-widening project. A geologist by training and a conservationist by inclination, Wilson insisted the county remove everysaguaro cactus from the strip and move it to his adjacent land, or else face the wrath of his lawyers. "They finally did it," Wilson said, "because if they hadn't, we'd have kept them tied up in court for years." The 20acre patch of desert into which the saguaros were moved is now Tohono Chul Park. In the language of the Tohono O'odham Indians who have lived in the Tucson area for centuries, tobono chul means "desert corner." Wilson and his wife, Jean, created a nonprofit corporation and turned the park over to it. "At first," Dick Wilson said, "we just went out and put some lime around some trees and made a path and marked the names of some of the plants and bushes. But then it started to snowball. And it keeps on snowballing." The desert into which those first saguaros were moved has become a tranquil preserve that is literally a stone's throw from the busy intersection of Ina and Oracle roads in northwest Tucson. Here visitors will find a quarter-mile loop trail and several shorter routes, all wheelchair-accessible. Along the trails, 400 plants are labeled. If you see a bird, a nearby bird may help to identify it. Birds and small mammals, finding a haven in the park, visit often. Tohono Chul Park is at 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. The grounds are open from 7:00 A.M. till sunset daily; gift shops, exhibit hall, and tearoom are open from 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. A $2.00 donation is requested. -Sam Negri

Friends' Travel

For this month's preview of travel events sponsored by Friends of Arizona Highways, see page 3.

Calendar

October 6-7, Prescott. The Governor's Cup Antique Car Display and Rallye takes place at Courthouse Plaza; the cars depart for the Grand Canyon at 7:01 A.M. October 7. Telephone 445-2000. October 6-8, Phoenix. The Greater Phoenix Greek Festival treats you to Greek cuisine, music, dancing, crafts, and cultural exhibits at the James A. Speros Community Center. Telephone telephone 264-7926. October 6-8, 11, 13-15 Tempe. Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is presented by Arizona State University's Lyric Opera Theater. Telephone 965-3398. October 14-15, Phoenix. The Valley of the Sun Doll Club of Arizona presents its seventh annual show and sale, featuring bears and miniatures as well as dolls. Telephone 870-0288.