PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Monument Administration (continued)

1963

Olsen's research efforts continued during 1963, beginning in January with an attempt to track down the accuracy and source of the legend about the Pipe Spring name. [1749] In late February Olsen conducted research at Dixie Junior College in St. George, where he discovered several ledgers, one containing entries about the Winsor Stock Growing Company, with entries dating 1873-1880, and two minute books of the Board of Directors of the Canaan Cooperative Cattle Company. He returned several times in March to examine the records in more detail. In February Olsen typed transcriptions of letters hand-written by early settlers during the 1930s (at Heaton's request), telling of their experiences at or near Pipe Spring. He also typed interviews with early settlers conducted by Heaton, presumably using Heaton's notes. Olsen continued historical research in St. George and Salt Lake City in March. He returned to St. George twice in May to work with two ledgers at Dixie Junior College. Olsen also located documents related to the purchase of Pipe Spring from B. F. Saunders by David D. Bulloch and Lehi W. Jones, and the sale between Bulloch and Jones to A. D. Findlay (these would later be useful in documenting the chain of ownership). On a more personal note, during May Heaton wrote in his journal that Olsen was in the midst of a divorce, which was finalized before the end of the summer.

In June 1963 the U.S. Weather Service selected Pipe Spring as a site for a weather station and installed equipment there. The month prior, in May, Heaton began constructing a new home for his family in Moccasin, using up his annual leave during the summer to work on it. In early June Heaton informed Zion's Assistant Superintendent Russell E. Dickenson of his intent to resign. Later that month, Superintendent Oberhansley visited the monument and asked Heaton if he wouldn't stay on longer. Heaton later wrote in his journal, "I said if he would give me a raise in pay and put a fireplace in the house I might consider staying a year or so. 'OK, we couldn't do that,' he said, so out I go Sept. 15th.... The Supt. did not know where he was going to get someone to take my place, but that is not my worry." [1750] According to Heaton, Olsen was despondent over the thought of him leaving and was not looking forward to taking care of the fort on his own nor working for someone new. He began talking of a transfer or changing professions. Meanwhile Heaton prepared for his family's move. He tore down the last remaining barn and corrals at the monument at the end of July.

In August 1963 Natt Dodge of the regional office visited the monument. Dodge planned to retire the following January. Heaton learned from Dodge that Zion officials planned to recommend the monument be made a separate unit after Heaton's retirement. "Guess they figured I was not capable of handling such a job," he later wrote in his journal. [1751] The administrative change Dodge alluded to did not take place, but the remark reinforced Heaton's feelings of being held in low esteem by his superiors.

On August 3, 1963, a bolt of lightning struck at the head of the meadow, cutting the telephone line and breaking a coupling in the culinary pipeline one foot under ground. Almost three weeks after this event, a retirement picnic and award ceremony was held on August 24 at the monument in honor of the Leonard and Edna Heaton. The Heatons both received a life pass to national parks and monuments. Leonard Heaton also was given a citation for 35 years of commendable service and a bronze metal. "Not much speech making," Heaton later wrote in his journal. [1752] The Heatons moved out of the monument residence at the end of August in order for it to be readied for his successor. Heaton spent his last day on the job (September 14) helping to dig campers out of the sand that had flooded into the campground after heavy rains the night before. In addition to the campground, flooding reached the comfort station and came within just four feet of the new residences. Four of Heaton's sons helped remove all the rest of the family's belongings from the monument that day while Edna and Millicent cleaned the residence. Referring to the scene that day, Heaton later wrote, "I was in hopes that monument would be in excellent condition for the new Supt., but with the flood damage [it's] a sorry mess to come to." [1753] In his final monthly report to Zion, Heaton wrote,

At the close of 37? years of work at Pipe Spring National Monument, I can say Mrs. Heaton and I have enjoyed our stay and the experiences we have had in meeting the visiting public. It has been rich.... From our first director, Mr. Mather, and Boss Pinkley, we feel we received our greatest training and goals in the Park Service. That our first concern was the visitor that came to see our area, all else was secondary. As the saying [goes,] 'Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.' [1754]

It was truly the end of an era at the monument. The local communities would never again have one of "their own" overseeing its operations, nor would anyone spend their entire Park Service career at the site. The personal inconveniences and sacrifices that the Heatons made to care for the site and its visitors over so many years were considerable and probably will never be equaled. Such was made possible by a certain love of the old fort and its site and the couple's deep sense of its importance in American history. The Heatons retired to live in Moccasin, Arizona.

On September 3, 1963, Joseph ("Joe") Bolander entered on duty as the monument's permanent caretaker, shortly prior to Heaton's retirement. [1755] Heaton was genuinely disappointed that Ray Mose wasn't chosen for the position, but Bolander had scored 100 percent when his job application was rated earlier that January. Bolander was a rancher and native of the area. The monument continued to employ Mose as a temporary laborer for several more years. The same day that Heaton retired, Bob Olsen left for the Albright Training Center in Grand Canyon National Park, remaining there until school ended December 7, then took annual leave. In October Heaton's prior GS-7 acting superintendent's position was converted to a management assistant, GS-9. Hugh H. Bozarth was hired to fill the position and reported for duty at Zion on October 14. Bozarth transferred from Death Valley National Monument where he had been a supervisory park ranger, GS-8. In December Bob Olsen's position was reclassified as a GS-7, resulting in a promotion for him. That month the community of Moccasin held a welcome party and dinner for Hugh Bozarth and his wife Lenore at the local Latter-day Saints church.