PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Visitor Services Operated by the Kaibab Paiute Tribe

Campground

Like the visitor center, the Tribe's campground was designed by the Park Service's Southwest Regional Office through the Indian Assistance Program. Bill Fields recalled that the Park Service "did the plans, the specs, the layout; we hired people, rented backhoes; we dug the trenches; we put in the water lines and sewer lines, parking spaces, curbs, and everything." [2164] There was not enough money to complete the campground's construction in the early 1970s, however, nor to build 70-units, as originally planned in 1972. [2165] Begun about 1973, the 45-unit campground and trailer park was completed in 1977. [2166] The full-service operation was located about one-quarter mile northeast of the monument. In addition to the usual necessary hookups, a laundromat, restrooms, and showers were available. Tracy provided field inspection services for the project during its final construction phase. The facility was put into use in 1978 but was not heavily used that year. (Tracy attributed low use of the campground to it not being well advertised.) Again in 1979 the campground had very little use. It was reported that the Tribe did not have anyone to operate it properly, the grounds were not taken care of, and the grocery store was seldom open. One of the monument's seasonal maintenance men parked his trailer there all summer and watered the trees around his campsite, the only ones that were watered. Many people with recreation vehicles drove in, around, and right back out of the campground, monument staff reported. [2167]

Snack Bar and Gift Shop

From the time the visitor center was first planned, the Kaibab Paiute Tribe intended to develop the south part of the building for a food service operation and gift shop (also referred to as the arts and crafts shop). By the end of 1973, the Tribe was in the process of negotiating a contract with an individual to operate the gift shop and provide food services. During the summer of 1974, Dennis ("Denny") Judd of Kanab operated the gift shop. The Tribe operated a snack bar during the summer of 1974. Tracy reported that both ventures did well that first year. The following year he reported the snack bar appeared to be a "thriving business" during the summer of 1975.

During the summer 1976, however, the snack bar was only open for about 10 days. Its operator told Tracy that the amount of business did not justify its operation. Denny Judd continued to operate the gift shop during the 1976 travel season but expressed doubt that he would continue to run the shop in 1977 due to poor sales. The Tribe sought new leasees for both operations. Doug Higgins of Holbrook, Arizona, leased the gift shop and the snack bar in 1977. He found the gift shop profitable, but not the snack bar. After that season he informed the Tribe he would not continue operating both businesses and that, if required to operate the snack bar, he would terminate his lease for both operations. The Tribe allowed him to lease only the gift shop space in 1978; he reported it was a very good year for business. That summer two members of the Tribe operated the snack bar. They too reported a good season. No one was hired by the Tribe to operate the snack bar in 1979 until the end of the summer season. The operators kept it open for two or three weeks then disappeared. Doug Higgins ran the gift shop again in 1978. Monument staff received a number of negative comments about the type and quality of goods Higgins sold, which were mostly from Mexico. [2168]

Since the building was tribally owned, the Park Service had no direct control over its leased operations or building maintenance. Tracy recognized the need to use tact to ensure that all facilities were managed to the Park Service's high standards. At least in 1974 and 1975, Tracy reported that the Tribe was offering good service in its maintenance of the building.

Hiking Trails

In 1968 Tribal Chairman Vernon Jake had been amenable to Ray Geerdes' suggestion that the Park Service construct trails to the Powell survey monument and through Heart Canyon. Nothing was done to build the trails at that time, however, probably because Neighborhood Youth Corps enrollees were busy constructing the monument's own trail. On May 15, 1972, Tracy wrote Tribal Chairman Tom and asked for the Tribe's permission to construct and maintain a two-mile walking trail from Pipe Spring to the Powell survey monument, returning through Heart Canyon where petroglyphs are found. He requested a 10-year agreement with option to renew. The Tribe forwarded Tracy's request to Hopi Agency at Keams Canyon. They in turn asked Tracy to provide them with a legal description and map showing the proposed location of the trail. During his July 18-20, 1972, trip to the area, Bill Fields completed several surveying jobs for the Tribe at its request. While they had asked him to stake a nature trail from Pipe Springs to the Powell monument, Fields decided to not to stake the trail. "A more sound understanding and agreement should be reached between Park Service and the Tribe prior to the staking of the nature trail," Fields reported. [2169] For reasons unknown, no agreement was executed. Six years later, in 1978, the Tribe completed two trails that connected to the monument's trail system, one to the Powell monument and the other to Heart Canyon. [2170] The Park Service had long desired to administer trails to these sites as part of their interpretive program. Since their construction, the Tribe has administered the trails.