SAGINAW SOUTHERN PART I: NORTH OF PERKINSVILLE AREA

 SAGINAW SOUTHERN Part I: NORTH OF PERKINSVILLE AREA

We all have those fixations in life that tend to constantly draw our attention, such as a hobby, a building project, or the perfect lawn. One of those vexing problems for me is to find the exact point where the Saginaw Southern ended. It isn't located at a nice sign post placed on a gravel turn-out, along with an appropriate monument. After all, this was incorporated as a class one railroad that ran south from Williams. Maybe someday national leaders will come to lay a golden spike or other appropriate offering at the end of the rail line. Or this just may be my obsession getting the better of me. 

Nevertheless, this research project has revealed a number of hidden historical treasures. 

Courtesy of Google Maps. Thank you, Google!

The map identifies a vast region to the south of Williams, Arizona. it is bordered on the west by FR186, to the South includes FR 44, To the East includes Perkinsville Road, and to the North the road continues to Williams. Coordinates indicate multiple routes that were taken to explore the area.

The majority of the following images were taken around FR44. Specific images taken at the provided coordinates will be included in each post. 

Wash area. There are numerous stumps in the drainage, 

some that appear to be from the Saginaw era, up to the current times.

In one of the side ravines, I found a jumble of cut trees, having all the appearance of having been left on the ground through the ages since the Saginaw. I measured one to be about 45 feet in length. More modern logging methods would have required these magnificent logs to be removed and not wasted. Despite a number of visits to the region, I could only locate one definitive entrance for the early loggers. However, others must exist, including the possibility that the forest roads were built on early logging trails. 

I did not find any indication that rail spurs were laid in this region, other than that which has already been documented. The most logical theory is that horse drawn Big Wheel logging carts were used to move the logs to the existing railheads.

Additional findings will be posted in parts II through IV, along with some startling conclusions. Those reference points will reveal more of the history that has been waiting to be found in this vast region.

SAGINAW SOUTHERN PART II: LOGGING OPERATIONS AT THE END OF THE LINE

 SAGINAW SOUTHERN PART II; LOGGING OPERATIONS AT THE END OF THE LINE

The Saginaw Southern laid rails in 1898, and very quickly reached into this region. So quick in fact that the survey proved challenging and was placed in the most difficult of terrain. Part of the route, as documented in earlier posts on the Saginaw Southern, used the old military road from Flagstaff to Prescott. 

I decided to have a look-see to the west of Perkinsville Road, possibly uncovering additional traces of the rail line. 

Map courtesy Google Maps. 

One day, I decided to hike into the area referenced on the map marked 35.094270, -112200100. I parked in a safe area off of Perkinsville road and began my journey. I carefully walked down into the ravine. Often the gentlest slope can result in a tumble, as it is assumed to be safe. Care should always be taken when hiking in the forest. As can be seen in the following images, there were a number of stumps and logs lying about the forest floor. I noticed that a number of them indicated harvesting techniques used during the time of the Saginaw. 

What was also evident were traces of two paths, widening in areas to the size of a road, one on each side of the ravine. Longtime natural erosion and decay would explain why they were at times just the size of a path. It was also apparent that they continued to the north and south, indicating a man-made feature that had a form and function. At this time, I could only speculate that these were used by Big Wheel logging carts to harvest the timber. 

I included a number of images without commentary. They should speak as to the nature of the area. Although difficult to see, there were the remains of two trails or roads. 

I am relatively tall individual; this should give you an idea of the height of this stump, about four feet in height.

Exploration continues in Parts III, IV.