Rocks on the roof? Who to call but the estimable Max Underwood, professor of architecture at Arizona State University, a specialist in Valley architecture, and hail-fellow-well-met.
Underwood says your native friend is correct. Rocks on the roof can be traced to the Native Americans who lived here long before anyone dreamed of professional hockey and were adopted by homesteaders.
It’s not much to look at, just a hole blasted into a huge rock, but Clifton’s first jail is worth taking a look at because of a couple of notable details in its history. One deals with its construction; the other with its first occupant.
Have you ever wondered how Arizonans spent their leisure time before the advent of lakes, fast highways, tailgate parties, single bars and health spas?
Don’t be fooled by those stoic faces in the old photograph albums. Leisure time might have been limited compared to today, but, if those plucky territorial folks knew something about the good old fashioned work ethic, they also knew how to have a good time.
Just about a half mile north of downtown Congress, the old frog squats in the desert sun on a hillside along Highway 89. It still looks pretty good, considering that it has been in that same spot for more than 80 years. Of course, there are certain features that set this particular amphibian apart. For example, it weighs an estimated 60 tons, stands 16 feet high and is solid rock.
