July/August 2025

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 4

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CASA BLANCA: A CENTURY OF CHARM BENEATH CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN MIDCENTURY LOUNGING AT ITS FINEST: THE SUNDRELLA 701 UMBRELLA A MIDCENTURY MODERN STAR: THE ALLURE OF HOTEL VALLEY HO THE ARIZONA BILTMORE ON WHEELS: PHOENIX’S FAMED WONDERBUS THE PIONEER HOTEL SIGN: RELIGHTING MEMORIES OF A NIGHT IN GLOBE

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10 12 17 47 48 54 58 64 70 74 76 80 84 86 90 94

CONTENTS Contributors - Scott Jarson & Kianna Pitegoff From The Editor: The Pioneer Hotel Sign: Relighting Memories of a Night in Globe, Arizona - Douglas Towne Construction Around Arizona: Projects • People • Practices Back When: Miss America’s Litchfield Park Farm Legacy Billy Horner Equipment Umbrellas: A Revolution in Worker Protection Dear to Arizonans - Billy Horner Casa Blanca: A Century of Charm Beneath Camelback Mountain - Scott Jarson Midcentury Lounging At Its Finest: The Sundrella 701 Aluminum Umbrella - Michelle Dodds A Midcentury Modern Star is Born: The History, Construction, and Allure of Hotel Valley Ho Kianna Pitegoff The Arizona Biltmore of Wheels: Phoenix’s Famed Wonderbus - James Logan Abell, FAIA Saluting Arizona’s Builders: Karl Eller - Douglas Towne Old School Equipment: International Harvester’s FactoryInstalled Twin-Stack Dozer - Billy Horner Building on the Past: 1957 - Artificial Shade Facilitates Natural Gas Pipeline - Billy Horner Architect’s Perspective: Gainey Hyatt Resort & Spa: A Summer Getaway - Doug Sydnor, FAIA Digging Through the Archives: Construction’s Shady Past: Collectible Vintage Canvas Umbrellas - Billy Horner Bid Results Advertising Index

Front Cover A thirsty equipment operator receives a cold Pepsi-Cola during the company’s groundbreaking ceremony for its management institute in the Rosenzweig Center on Central Avenue. The John Deere tractor has an umbrella with logos silk screened on the canvas, 1967.

Article on page 48

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CONTRIBUTORS S OA K IN T H E R E L AXAT I O N SCOTT JARSON

KIANNA PITEGOFF

ARTICLE ON PAGE 54

ARTICLE ON PAGE 64

S

castlehotsprings.com | 844.276.8052 | Morristown, Arizona

TEN

cott Jarson is a distinguished realtor, architectural advocate, and contributing writer based in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

As co-founder of azarchitecture/Jarson & Jarson Real Estate, Scott has spent over three decades specializing in the sales of architecturally unique properties throughout Arizona. His firm is widely recognized for its exclusive focus on design-driven real estate, connecting discerning buyers with homes of historical and architectural significance.

Scott’s passion for modern and historic architecture is matched only by his deep understanding of the Valley’s evolving urban fabric. A trusted voice in the community, he has consulted for preservation efforts, design awards juries, and public education initiatives. His firm has represented some of the region’s most iconic residential projects, including homes by Frank Lloyd Wright, Al Beadle, and other notable architects.

He has been featured in numerous publications and is a past recipient of the American Institute of Architects Arizona’s “Goodwin Award” for contributions to the built environment.

Jarson is a Volunteer Member and the current Town of Paradise Valley’s Hillside Building Committee chair.

As both an advocate and storyteller, Scott brings a unique perspective to his writing— blending historical insight, personal experience, and architectural literacy to illuminate the soul of the spaces we live in.

O

riginally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Kianna Pitegoff is an accomplished public relations and marketing professional with a strong background in hospitality. She is a proud graduate of Northern Arizona University, where she laid the foundation for her career in communications.

Her professional journey began at Diamond Resorts International, where she worked as an account coordinator in the internal advertising department. There, she gained foundational experience in marketing strategy and creative development.

In 2021, Pitegoff relocated to Scottsdale, where she joined the marketing team at Hotel Valley Ho, the topic of her feature article in this issue, and Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale as the PR and marketing manager. Her creative energy, strategic thinking, and passion for storytelling quickly made an impact, earning her a promotion to director of public relations in 2023. In this leadership role, Pitegoff oversees public relations initiatives, media partnerships, and brand messaging, helping elevate the visibility and reputation of both resorts.

When she’s not crafting compelling campaigns or building media relationships, Pitegoff enjoys playing soccer, reading, painting, and spending time with her pup, Marlo. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections—both professionally and personally—and brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to everything she does.

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Images Courtesy of Author

EDITOR’S COLUMN

THE PIONEER HOTEL SIGN: RELIGHTING MEMORIES OF A NIGHT IN GLOBE, ARIZONA DOUGLAS TOWNE

I

n 1986, I motored into Globe, Arizona, on a $50,000 four-story red-brick edifice, which mission. My charge was locating an unfor- featured a third-floor atrium that opened gettable place to spend the night traveling to a skylight. The Trust Building housed with my girlfriend, Catherine Weiler. I imag- professional offices, with the Globe Busiined a hotel experience witnessed in old nessmen’s Club on the fourth floor and the black-and-white movies, where bellhops, Miller Café on the ground floor. In 1913, the shoeshine boys, gumshoes, salesmen, and Copper Belt Printing Company moved into cigarette girls populated an ornate Art Deco the basement, where it published The Arilobby that included an overflowing news- zona Record newspaper for many years. stand. Bonus points would be given if 1930s The structure was renamed the Euroswing music played in the background. pean Building in 1916 and became the As it turned out, my selection, the European Hotel 14 years later. The GreyPioneer Hotel, succeeded in being memo- hound bus station and lunch room opened rable more as a hangout where on the first floor in 1940, and someone on the lam would lie it was renamed the Terminal “WE WERE LIKELY low for a few weeks. But if unsaHotel. That year, Isador Posvory types were staying there, SOME OF THE HOTEL’S ner of Tucson, who had crafted at least they kept to themselves eight other business signs in LAST GUESTS” and were as quiet as mice. Still, Globe, made the hotel’s sign.

I kept a desk chair wedged underneath our In 1960, the building became known as the room’s door handle in case of any surprises Pioneer Hotel, and the sign was repurposed in this building, which was Globe’s finest with the new name in neon. when it opened in 1906, 80 years prior.

Despite its impressive resume, the PioThe Pioneer Hotel was originally built neer Hotel appeared a bit forlorn when as the Trust Building, located on the north- Cathy and I rolled into Globe at dusk on May east corner of Broad and Cedar streets in 20, 1986. We were driving our cars back to Globe. Architect W.R. Norton designed the our respective hometowns of Three Mile TWELVE

Top right: Pioneer Hotel sign on display at Tucson’s Ignite Sign Art Museum, 2018.

Above: Pioneer Hotel sign used in advertising by Ignite Sign Art Museum, 2019.

Bay, NY, and Denver for summer break from graduate school at the University of Arizona in Tucson. There were many accommodations to choose from in the copper-mining town, but the Pioneer Hotel beckoned for an evening’s immersive trip into the past.

The hotel looked deserted—and perhaps wasn’t even still in business. We parked our cars on the street and were somewhat surprised to find the door to the hotel unlocked, but no one was around. The small lobby, dominated by a staircase that led to the second floor, was deserted. Not sure what to do, we shouted “Hello” a few times, apprehensive about who might respond.

Finally, there was the sound of a door opening above us and footsteps walking down a hallway. With trepidation, we waited for the person to appear, who turned out to JULY AUGUST 2025

Above: Jude Cook of Cook & Company Sign Makers picking up the Pioneer Hotel sign for the Ignite Sign Art Museum, 2018.

Bottom right: Catherine Weiler at the Pioneer Hotel, 1986.

Below: Hotel rates for Globe, Arizona, 1950s.

Images Courtesy of Author

be an older woman at the top of the stairs, inquiring if we wanted a room.

I paid the economical $13.50 rate in cash for an overnight stay. The lady gave us a key to Room #24 and escorted us up the stairway and down a dimly lit hallway.

We switched on the room’s lone illumination, a bare lightbulb dangling on a wire from the ceiling. Its harsh glow revealed a few chairs, a desk, and a bare mattress on a box spring. The sparse furnishings took us aback as our host went down the hall to fetch clean linens.

Cathy helped the woman make the bed, and it occurred to me that we were both traveling with items that would create some ambiance in the room. I made several trips to the cars, outfitted our home for the night with lamps, and brought up a cooler. We had a picnic in the cozy room and watched Globe’s downtown street life from oversized windows we could lean out of. If there were other lodgers that night, they ARIZCC.COM

were unobtrusive, as we seemed to have the entire building to ourselves.

We were likely some of the hotel’s last guests, as the Pioneer Hotel closed shortly afterward. In 2005, a fire destroyed the historic building.

Fortunately, in 1989, on a visit to Globe, I managed to rescue a critical piece of the Pioneer Hotel when I spotted its sign stored in a backyard. I gave the man who had rescued it $20, double what a scrap dealer was going to pay him. I retrieved the massive sign the following week, wrangling it to Phoenix on a rented trailer. This weighty memento has accompanied me to every new abode since then.

Almost 30 years later, I met Jude Cook of Cook & Company Sign Makers and learned about the Ignite Sign Museum in Tucson that he and his wife, Monica Cook,

were opening in 2018. Finally, the perfect showplace for the Pioneer Hotel sign had magically appeared, and I offered him this Arizona artifact. When Jude came to retrieve it from my garage, like a roadside detective, he traced out with his finger the faint letters that spelled out “Terminal,” the hotel’s original name on the sign.

Adding neon tubing, Jude restored the sign to its “noble” glory. The Pioneer Sign now glows, to the delight of museum visitors, and as a testament to that memorable stay in Globe all those years ago. Who would have ever guessed that overnight stop would launch a story that continued to unfold over three decades and conclude by ending up in a museum?

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Projects . PEOPLE . PRACTICES

PAVING THE WAY TO STABILITY: HOUSE OF REFUGE COMPLETES MAJOR ROAD RENOVATION PROJECT

A

t the House of Refuge in Mesa, every street tells a story of resilience, community, and transformation. Thanks to an extraordinary collaboration between Arizona contractors and community-minded partners this spring, those streets received a much-needed upgrade. The 2025 Road Renovation Project improved infrastructure across the 20-acre campus, which has provided transitional housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness since 1996. The work also reinforced the belief that safe, stable housing begins long before families open the front door.

Project History Richard and Ann Candelaria have long supported House of Refuge, working with its President and CEO, Kayla Kolar. Several years ago, Kolar approached Candelaria for assistance estimating the cost of repairing ARIZCC.COM

CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Projects

CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA

Image Courtesy of Gary Slone

the neighborhood’s aging roads. Located on the former Williams Air Force Base, the site had not undergone a full resurfacing in over 30 years. Although he developed a preliminary budget, taking on the entire project pro bono was more than Sharp Creek Contracting could handle.

Later, a large contractor agreed to take on the work but backed out, prompting Kayla and SRP board member Brian Heath to explore a new approach. With Candelaria’s

Above: Contractors donating road paving.

Below: Richard Candelaria, Sharp Creek Contracting; Kayla Kolar, House of Refuge; and Brian Heath, Salt River Project.

guidance, they drafted a Request for Proposal and compiled a list of potential contractors and suppliers.

During a meeting, Kolar and Heath were surprised that most attendees weren’t seeking compensation—they were eager to donate their time and resources. What

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CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Projects Images Courtesy of Gary Slone

started as a complex bidding process quickly evolved into a collaborative act of generosity. The group chose to replace the deteriorating asphalt carport driveways with new concrete—an upgrade that ultimately involved 12 concrete companies and five ready-mix suppliers.

Scope and Impact Work began on April 25 with Sharp Creek Contracting and S&S Paving leading demolition and grading. Over the next eight days, a tightly orchestrated schedule brought in crews to perform the following tasks: • Demolish 74 asphalt carport driveways and install new concrete, • Mill and repave all

ARIZCC.COM

Image Courtesy of Richard Candelaria

neighborhood streets, • Remove and replace asphalt at the on-site parking lot, and • Recycle all asphalt, asphalt millings, and concrete washouts.

The results were transformational.

Beyond restoring physical safety, the upgrades instilled renewed pride and dignity in the community. “For the past four years, we’ve repainted all 88 homes on our campus, inside and out,” says Kolar. “This road renovation is the next step in treating our families with the care they deserve.”

The project culminated in a community-wide Road Reopening Celebration on May 14. Thanks to the support of over 30

Top left: Brian Clark, Southwest Asphalt Co. sales rep.

Left: Oscar Estrada, owner of Primavera Grading & Paving.

Below left: GFT Ready Mix. Bottom right: Etico Construction Group’s Gabriel Hernandez (finishing supervisor) and Manuel Ledesma (concrete superintendent).

Arizona-based companies, the total value of donated labor, materials, and equipment surpassed $500,000, all achieved at no cost to the nonprofit.

“Working with Kayla and her team was a joy,” says Gary Slone, sales manager for Southwest Asphalt Co./Fisher. “Their passion for the community shone through on every visit. Projects like this remind us

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

THANK YOU FOR PAVING THE WAY

SHARPCREEK.COM

Because of your generosity, the streets and carport driveways at the House of Refuge are safer, smoother and more welcoming for the many residents who call it home.

Your craftsmanship and giving spirit didn’t just improve infrastructure, it renewed hope.

With heartfelt appreciation, Richard & Ann Candelaria Sharp Creek Contracting

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CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Projects

Above: Gary Slone, Southwest Asphalt Co. sales rep.

Below left: Sammy Makori (ground guy) and Ryan Kleinman (mill operator) for Bryco.

of the good we can achieve together. I’m proud to be part of an industry making a lasting impact.”

Contractors and Collaborators The project’s success was achieved through an impressive team of industry professionals.

Throughout the project, several individuals stood out for going above and beyond.

Gary Slone, Sales Manager, and Brian Clark, Sales Associate with SW Asphalt, were instrumental in recruiting contractors and helped coordinate day-to-day logistics.

“Gary immediately took ownership and has been in touch virtually every day since the first contractor breakfast,” says Candelaria.

“He’s been the glue that held the asphalt operations together.”

The concrete side started slowly until Wayland Anglin, Senior Project Manager, and Ray Oslie, Concrete Operations Manager, both with Buesing Corp., jump-started momentum by recruiting concrete and ready-mix companies, ensuring the project’s success.

Challenges and Unexpected Moments Coordinating more than 30 contractors and suppliers in such a short time frame was no small feat. The compressed schedule and logistical complexities of working on a fully operational residential campus required close communication and near-flawless execution. “The most challenging aspect was ensuring everyone—from concrete teams to asphalt crews—could move efficiently without stepping on each other’s toes,” says Candelaria. “We had a very narrow window to get this done without disrupting the residents’ daily lives.”

ARIZCC.COM

The most unusual part of the project was the sheer scope of donated time and materials. For a nonprofit, this kind of large-scale infrastructure gift is rare. “We didn’t just get help,” said Kolar. “We received top-tier service from companies that truly care about our mission.”

An unexpected highlight came during construction when several residents, curious about the work, stepped outside to thank contractors in person. Children watched in awe as heavy machinery tore up and rebuilt the neighborhood roads. “It was a moment of real connection between our families and the people behind the scenes,” notes one staff member. “You could see how much it meant.”

Lessons Learned and Innovations The project showcased the power of community-driven construction management. Utilizing existing relationships and leveraging goodwill through personal

connections created a project that rivaled many large-scale commercial efforts in terms of professionalism and quality.

One key lesson is to start with trust and a shared vision. Every contributor was aligned with the House of Refuge’s mission from day one. The result was a project completed on time, under budget, and with a hard-toquantify sense of collective pride.

Another insight: clear leadership matters. With Candelaria as the point person and SW Asphalt’s team managing inter-contractor logistics, they proactively solved potential roadblocks.

Looking Ahead With the roads and driveways completed, House of Refuge looks forward to the next chapter—expanding services, welcoming new families, and continuing its long-term beautification efforts. “This project was never just about pavement,” says Kolar. “It’s about creating a place where

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

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CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Projects

Images Courtesy of Richard Candelaria

Above: Weems Asphalt repaving a road.

Top right: Temcon Concrete pouring a concrete driveway.

Below: Thank-you letters from residents.

Bottom left: Hopscotch on new driveway.

Below right: Ribbon-cutting celebration.

ARIZCC.COM

families can heal, rebuild, and thrive. And that starts from the moment they turn into our neighborhood.”

The project was especially significant to ACS Concrete’s CEO, Rachael Aragon, who is a survivor of domestic violence and was once a single mom. “I highly resonate with House of Refuge’s mission, and it was inspiring to see how impactful this project was to their residents,” she says. “It warmed my heart reading the heartfelt thank you messages from the children. While ACS Concrete was certainly not the only contributor, it is a great feeling to provide our services to an often-underserved demographic and a cause with personal relatedness.”

As cars now glide over freshly paved streets and children race down smooth sidewalks, the impact of this project will be felt for years to come, one safe step at a time.

SIDEBAR: HISTORIC PHILANTHROPIC CONSTRUCTION Arizona contractors and associations have historically provided scholarships and endowments and helped charities and shelters. Some examples are the Del Webb School of Construction program at ASU, the Kenneth G. & Eleanor F. Bentson Scholarship, the Del Webb Corporation Gerontology Endowment, and Paul C. Helmick’s cornerstone gift to the ASU Foundation for a New American University.

In Tucson, the M.M. Sundt Construction, Pioneer Constructors, San Xavier Rock & Sand Co., and L.M. White Construction volunteered nearly half a million dollars of personnel and work to construct a soap box derby racing course for the Tucson Derby Downs in 1953.

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CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Projects

SUNLAND ASPHALT SHIFTS SMOOTHLY TO COMPLETE APEX MOTORSPORTS TRACK

“A

PEX Motor Club isn’t just a racetrack—it’s a driver’s paradise. Nestled in the perfect location to serve Phoenix and Tucson as well as cities such as Los Angeles and Albuquerque, this world-class circuit is built for those who live life in the fast lane,” declares Greg Hughes, project manager with Sunland Asphalt & Construction.

“From breaking ground to the final stretch, every inch of this track has been designed for thrill-seekers, speed lovers, and automotive enthusiasts who demand the best.”

The Phase 2 development of the Apex Motor Club, located at 22408 North Ralston Road in Maricopa, began in August 2024 and was completed in March 2025. The $10.7 million project required extensive upfront design and engineering to transform

Images Courtesy of Sunland Asphalt

undeveloped land into a high-performance racetrack, according to Hughes. “This project was meticulously engineered for strength and precision, with grading playing a pivotal role.”

Sunland Asphalt excavated 138,960 cubic yards (CY) of material and placed 121,163 CY of fill to prepare the building pads, retention areas, track, runoff, and paddock areas. For the track area, 8 inches of Aggregate Base Course (ABC) was placed and finish graded. Once prepared, the company applied 2.5 inches of ½-inch MAG PG 70-10 asphalt to the base course, paddock, pit lane, and runoff areas. The track itself received 1.5 inches of 3/8” MAG surface course mix using PG 82-22.

“To achieve the track’s precise specifications, we employed echelon paving—a method involving three pavers working simultaneously to place asphalt passes side

by side,” Hughes says. “This technique was crucial for maintaining the track’s required surface tolerance, but it introduced complexities in coordinating equipment and ensuring consistent quality across the entire 42- to 50-foot width of the track.”

Sunland Asphalt placed concrete for the track construction, which was critical for addressing its intersections with washes.

This work included the construction of a 100-foot by 85-foot box culvert at one crossing, along with 1,020 feet of cutoff walls, to ensure proper water flow and track stability. “Sunland Asphalt self-performed the installation of 4,838 feet of specialized concrete curbing around the track, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits to the overall design,” Hughes says. “These efforts were integral to maintaining the track’s durability, safety, and performance under various environmental conditions.”

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Isidro Lopez Project Foreman Favorite job task: ​ Seeing the owner’s excitement when we finished the APEX project.

They were so ready to race on the new track.

It was like watching kids looking at their Christmas gifts.

Most memorable day at work: Reaching the end of the track on the final day of paving, and everyone involved was excited to have achieved the goal.

Favorite off-job task: Spending time with family.

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Three subcontractors were vital to the APEX Motor Club project’s success: Solterra Materials, Vital Contracting, and Construction Materials Testing Laboratories.

Solterra Materials supplied and delivered the highly polymer-modified wearing course asphalt, designed specifically to meet the demands of high-performance race cars, according to Hughes. “With their state-of-the-art asphalt plants and experienced team, Solterra ensured the precise formulation and consistent quality of the mix, meeting the exacting specifications required for superior grip, durability, and smoothness—critical factors for a motorsport facility of this caliber.”

Hughes notes that Solterra Materials’ efficient logistics operation, which leverages a large fleet of partner trucking companies, ensured a seamless and on-time delivery of asphalt to the site, thereby maintaining the paving schedule and minimizing interruptions. “Under the leadership of Michael Thompson, Solterra demonstrated its commitment to quality and innovation, delivering a top-tier surface that enhances both performance and safety for drivers at APEX Motor Club. Their expertise in material production and transport was instrumental in achieving a flawless racing surface, setting a new benchmark for precision paving in the motorsports industry,” he says.

Hughes also complimented the work performed by Vital Contracting, which handled all earthwork operations from mass excavation and subgrade grading to importing and placing aggregate base and completing finish grade work for paving and concrete. “Vital demonstrated unmatched expertise in racetrack construction,” Hughes says. “Stephen Boyd’s deep understanding of the unique demands of racetrack projects ensured nearly zero error in meeting

the specified tolerances, delivering results with exceptional quality. His attention to detail and the high level of craftsmanship exhibited by the Vital team have been instrumental in the project’s success, a complex and precision-driven endeavor.”

Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Laboratories provided comprehensive material testing and quality assurance to ensure the durability and performance of the pavement. Under the leadership of DJ Peters, Arizona Regional Manager, CMT conducted geotechnical evaluations, in-place density testing, and asphalt mix verification to confirm compliance with project specifications and industry standards. “Their expertise in quality control and materials testing helped identify potential issues early, allowing for proactive adjustments and a smoother construction process,” Hughes says. “Their thorough and precise testing ensured that the track surface met the highest performance and safety standards, essential for a premier motorsports facility like APEX.” ​Hughes notes that an interesting aspect of the APEX Motor Club Phase 2 project was its smooth integration with Phase 1, which was paved in 2018 by Sunland. The continuity between the existing and new phases required meticulous attention to tie-in joints and elevations, ensuring a uniform transition. “Achieving this level of precision was essential, as the two track sections now seamlessly connect, allowing them to be driven together as a single, continuous circuit,” Hughes says. “This collaboration between the original and new tracks creates the longest motorsports track in Arizona, offering a unique driving experience.”

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STEALTHY ARIZONA CATS GET UPGRADED DIGS COURTESY OF HOMES & SON

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hey’re mystical cats that are vital components of Arizona’s ecosystem. However, few people have spied them—except at the Phoenix Zoo. Thanks to construction by Homes & Son Contractors, the zoo’s jaguars, Caipora and Saban, and Mystic, its mountain lion, have enhanced their living quarters.

The new habitat, with more than double the living space, is called Big Cats of Arizona: A Bridge to Arizona Wilderness.

“​ The new Big Cats exhibit gives the public a close-up perspective of these beautiful animals,” says the company’s president, Russ Homes. “The exhibit gives the cats larger and more natural environments while allowing the public to observe them up close.” ​T his spring, Homes & Son Contractors completed the $5.4 million, 14-month project, providing visitors with multiple viewing angles of the cats. “The project includes a stream and a pool for the jaguars who are proficient swimmers and Images Courtesy of Homes & Sons

generally comfortable in water,” Homes says. “The exhibit also includes an elevated ‘catwalk’ where the jaguar can move above the public.” ​Construction ran smoothly, although managing the unpredictable water table levels was challenging, according to Homes.

“Big Cats is the latest in many projects completed for the Phoenix Zoo, one of the world’s premier conservation zoos,” he says.

“These construction projects are completed as all should be, as a team with the client’s goals in mind. In this case, the focus was on

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Keith Nathern Vice President of Operations Experience: 27 years Favorite job task: Working out in the field and away from the office.

Most challenging job task: Coordinating construction on tight jobsites and with the public.

Most memorable day at work: When the jaguar initially walked across the “catwalk.”

Favorite activities away from work: Exploring the desert in a UTV. ARIZCC.COM

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creating a better environment for the animals and the public, along with the safety and well-being of the animals.” ​Subcontractors used on the project include Sharpcreek Contracting (grading and paving), Premier Civil (wet utilities), Heywood Concrete, Sherwood Welding (structural steel and chain link), Starkweather Roofing, Portnoy’s Premier (acrylic glazing), KS Building & Consulting (rough and finish carpentry), Nets Unlimited

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(containment netting), Shade Industries (canopies), Overflow Pools (stream and pool), PFD Electric, and VMP Landscape Creations. ​Donors, starting with a $768,000 grant from the State Office of Tourism, supported the project to provide visitors with an up-close experience of Arizona’s two largest cats. The zoo is planning to utilize the cats’ former exhibit to introduce two new species: the clouded leopard and an ocelot.

​M ountain lions were once found throughout the nation but are now extinct in most U.S. states, with Arizona’s estimated population ranging from 1,300 to 2,700 individuals.

Jaguars, once abundant in the Southwest, have become much rarer. Over the past 25 years, only seven of these cats have been spotted wandering across the border into southern Arizona.

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

THIRTY TWO

JULY AUGUST 2025

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t’s something everyone in the country can agree on: no one likes traffic delays, even in as picturesque a setting as Carefree, Arizona. Sunland Asphalt & Construction recently resurfaced multiple roads throughout the town and ensured that motorists could flow smoothly through the area. ​“A key factor in the success of this project was ensuring safe travel and minimizing disruptions to the public,” says Tanner Chesnut, Sunland Asphalt’s Public EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Spencer Pearson Project Engineer Experience: 3 years with Sunland Asphalt Favorite job task: ​I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with individuals who inspire me to continually improve.

This field demands both skill and experience, and I am committed to developing these qualities through meaningful challenges and opportunities for growth.

Most challenging job task: The job is highly demanding as circumstances can change rapidly, requiring mental agility to remain calm and make the appropriate decisions to ensure progress and success.

Most memorable day at work: As part of Sunland Asphalt, we strive to give back to the community in every way possible. I loved putting food bags together for “Feed My Starving Children.” What a great way to give back to those in need!

Favorite off-job tasks: I enjoy spending quality time with my family and playing video games.

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Images Courtesy of Sunland Asphalt

Works Project Manager. “Implementing effective traffic control plans was crucial, benefiting the public and the production team. Without proper planning, the project could have faced extended construction timelines, public frustration, and decreased efficiency.”

As part of the $2.6 million, two-month project that started in mid-November 2024, Sunland Asphalt resurfaced thoroughfares, including Cave Creek Road from Carefree Highway to Canyon Ridge Road, Tom Darlington Road from Cave Creek Road to Leisure Lane, and Cave Creek Road from Scopa Trail to Carefree Drive.

Two additional roads required a more extensive process: Grapevine Road and Branding Iron Road. For these, Sunland Asphalt milled down 2 inches, hauled in and placed 3 inches of ABC (Aggregate Base Course), and then paved with an additional 3 inches of asphalt.

“Upon completing the paving and applying temporary striping, we returned after a 30-day curing period to install thermoplastic markings, ensuring high visibility and retroreflective paint for enhanced safety,” Chesnut says.

Subcontractors used on the Carefree resurfacing project included Solterra Materials, Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Laboratories, On It Construction, and Arizona Lines.

According to Chesnut, Solterra Materials played a vital role in the Tom Darlington Mill and Overlay project by supplying and delivering a high-quality asphalt mix designed to provide safety for everyday travel.

“With their state-of-the-art asphalt plants and experienced team, Solterra ensured the precise formulation and consistent quality of the mix, meeting the specifications required for superior durability and smoothness—critical factors for the safety

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of those traveling in the Town of Carefree,” he says. “Their efficient logistics operation, leveraging a large fleet of partner trucking companies, ensured a seamless and on-time delivery of asphalt to the site, thereby maintaining the paving schedule and minimizing disruptions.”

CMT Technical Services also played a crucial role in the success of the Sunland Asphalt project. “Without proper testing, we cannot accurately assess the quality,” Chesnut says. “Under the leadership of DJ Peters, Arizona Regional Manager, CMT conducted geotechnical evaluations, in-place density testing, and asphalt mix verification to confirm compliance with project specifications and industry standards. Their expertise in quality control and materials testing helped identify potential issues early, allowing for proactive adjustments and a smoother construction process.”

According to Chesnut, another subcontractor, On It Construction efficiently adjusted various city- or town-owned utilities in the roadway, ensuring they were safely relocated to prevent damage and adequately secured to the existing infrastructure. “Once the milling and paving are completed, On It Construction raises the utilities to align with the newly paved road surface,” he says.

Arizona Lines provided accurate and high-quality pavement markings to ensure safe traffic guidance. “Their use of top-grade paint and thermoplastic technology ensures optimal adhesion and visibility, contributing to safer travel conditions,” Chesnut says.

Chestnut adds that Sunland Asphalt is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Town of Carefree team and looks forward to future collaborations. “Their support was instrumental in completing the project on time and enabling our production team to operate efficiently.”

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THIRTY FOUR

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O

n a construction site in the Arizona copper-mining town of Globe, Gorman & Company Project Manager Jack Wagner found himself in the unusual position of talking about school days. Not his, but those who attended the school Gorman was transforming into apartments. “On occasion, people would stop by who attended the school, and we would give them a tour,” he says. “It was exciting to see their reactions to the transformation of the school.”

The conception of the $22.8 million Hill Street School Apartments project began several years ago, while construction took place from 2022 to 2024. It was a transformative EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Brian Sheck Superintendent Experience: 20 years with Gorman Favorite job task: Seeing the reactions of prospective tenants when they see the project.

adaptive reuse development that revitalized the historic 39,000 square-foot concrete Hill Street School — initially built in 1920 and designed by the famous El Paso firm of Trost & Trost — into 64 high-quality, accessible, mixed-income apartments for seniors aged 55 and up.

After sitting vacant for 17 years, Gorman preserved the former school and thoughtfully blended it with new construction to maintain its historic architectural integrity. “The project provides much-needed affordable housing and market-rate units, supporting Globe’s downtown revitalization,” Wagner says. “It re-establishes the school as a community asset, honoring its historical significance.”

Wagner says that the most unusual aspect of the project was removing the roller-skating berm on the 2nd level and transforming the gym area into a community space. And there was one big challenge on the job.

“Balancing historic preservation requirements with modern construction standards

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GORMAN TRANSFORMS HISTORIC SCHOOL IN GLOBE INTO APARTMENTS

posed significant challenges, especially integrating ADA accessibility and energy-efficient systems into a century-old structure while retaining its original charm and architectural elements,” he says.

The project adaptively reused a historic structure and made a little history itself. “This is the first time in Arizona’s history that the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program has been awarded for a rural affordable housing development,” Wagner says. “Hill Street School Apartments sets a new standard for how adaptive reuse can breathe life into underutilized historic buildings while addressing critical housing shortages.”

Wagner also has a tip for any contractor contemplating pursuing a similar idea.

“Early community engagement can transform a project from a redevelopment into a shared legacy,” he says. “Additionally, complex funding structures combining state and federal programs can be successfully navigated to support rural projects with a significant impact.”

Images Courtesy of Gorman & Company

Most challenging job task: Meeting deadlines when unanticipated issues arise during construction and handling these unknown conditions.

Most memorable day at work: When I relocated to Arizona from Wisconsin 12 years ago to help build an emerging Arizona market for Gorman.

Favorite activities away from work: Smoking meat on my grill and taxidermy, along with various outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and prospecting for gold.

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“T

his is one of the most enjoyable projects that I’ve done because it’s historic. You can feel it when you walk in the door. You can feel the pride and the history. You can feel it when you hear Grady talk about it. It’s a wonderful thing,” says Willmeng Market Leader Parrish Rowland.

“Willmeng is led by an ASU alum (CEO James Murphy), and we take a lot of pride in anything that we do here at ASU.” Willmeng Construction recently finished renovations on a landmark at Arizona State University, the historic President’s Cottage, which housed ASU presidents from 1907 to 1959. The house is now the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. The Willmeng team led the construction of a large, outdoor covered patio, providing the fondly referred to as Piper Writer’s House space to host larger gatherings, workshops, and performances.

“It is so wonderful to have a space like this that’s outdoors, that’s creative and that’s right on our campus as kind of the heart of the Humanities community,” says ASU Dean of Humanities Jeffrey Cohen. “I know we will be using this space as a patio a lot, so to have it as a finished space and extension of the house just seems so meaningful and so right.”

The Piper Writer’s House was originally known as the President’s Cottage and served as the residence for several university presidents until 1959. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its rich history includes visits from notable figures like the poet Robert Frost, a guest of ASU President Grady Gammage Sr., whose family was the last to live in the house. The ARIZCC.COM

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ASU LANDMARK “POETICALLY” RENOVATED BY WILLMENG

Images Courtesy of Willmeng Construction

house later became the Alumni House and University Archives before being designated as the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing in 1995.

“The history of the Piper Writer’s House is truly remarkable, and our team is proud to be able to add to that history,” says Willmeng CEO James Murphy, an Arizona State University graduate. “Our work with ASU and the number of diverse projects we are working on with the university shows a continued commitment to innovation and a first-class learning experience.”

Grady Gammage Jr., son of the former ASU President, lived in the house during his childhood from 1951 to 1960. Gammage Jr. attended the ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the new space, providing some personal recollections of his time living on the ASU campus.

“I thank all of you who have made this house a living and meaningful part of the campus because that’s very, very cool,” says

Gammage Jr., a founding member of Phoenix law firm Gammage & Burnham. “This is clearly the best use because this brings students and life back to the house in a way that it was when we lived here.”

For Willmeng, which was established in 1977, this project followed work the company completed in 2024 on renovating another ASU landmark, the Alumni Lawn, in front of Old Main.

4Line Studio designed the outdoor space at the Virginia G. Piper Center. The construction involved repurposing brick pavers from the former walkways at the newly renovated Alumni Lawn, with European Pavers as the subcontractor for that project phase. Shade Industries was the subcontractor for the steel shade structure.

Below: Willmeng Market Leader Parrish Rowland, Grady Gammage Jr., Alberto Rios, and Christie Swedbergh (l-r) in the ribbon-cutting event at the Piper House.

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HALEY CONSTRUCTION CREATIVELY EXPANDS YAVAPAI COLLEGE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

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he Center for Learning and Innovation at Yavapai College Prescott Campus is living up to its name long before the building is even finished. “We find that the students are very interested in the construction process and are excited to use the new facility,” says Gillian Haley, president and owner of Haley Construction Company, Inc. ​The $10 million project started in May 2024 and will open for the spring semester of 2026. “It’s going to provide students with the opportunity to learn and use the latest media and technology within adaptive learning spaces while still offering

Images Courtesy of Haley Contruction

the resources of a traditional library,” says Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. ​Haley says the third-generation company, which was started in 1955 by Jim and Frances Haley, completed the same project on a smaller scale last year at the Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale. Haley Construction built the Center for Learning and Innovation, which SmithGroup designed. “It’s exciting to see the success of that project in action, knowing that this current project will ultimately be available to even more students and community members!” ​According to Haley, many of the same team members, individuals, client team, design team, and trade partners worked

together on the previous project in the Verde Valley. “Together, this team has intentionally created a project culture that fosters open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative dialogue. This has resulted in faster problem-solving, a truly functional project schedule, and a custom-tailored client experience that has led to repeat business for the general contractor and many of our trade partners,” she says. “Perhaps most importantly, this has built longterm relationships and promotes a jobsite

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Tracy Garrison Project Manager

Kathy Wright Project Engineer & Safety Officer

Experience: 2 years with Haley Construction

Experience: 13 years with Haley Construction

Favorite aspect of their job: Seeing the job progress.

Favorite aspect of their job: Working with our clients and architects.

Most challenging job task: Expediting work, to accommodate our clients’ needs.

Most challenging job task: Expediting work, to accommodate our clients’ needs.

Most memorable day at work: Using a crane to hoist large equipment (i.e. a scissor lift through the second-floor window, exhaust equipment to rooftops).

Most memorable day at work: I could not just pick one. However, I do like seeing our clients’ smiling faces when we turn over their dream home and/or building.

Favorite activities away from work: Serving God through volunteering for various church activities.

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Above: The Haley Construction team: Gillian Haley, owner; Kathy Wright, project engineer; and Tracy Garrison, project manager(l-r).

Bottom left: Tracy Garrison leads a bi-weekly owner/architect/contractor meeting to discuss progress and design details.

Favorite activities away from work: Serving the homeless, shopping, and going to the Colorado River or Lake Havasu.

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Left: Concrete workers moving quickly to pump concrete at the floor openings.

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Below: Ducts, Inc. working safely and diligently on the second floor.

environment that encourages individual ownership of project success and higher personal workplace satisfaction among everyone on the job.” ​The most challenging aspect of the project so far was adjusting the existing infrastructure to support the exciting new features, which Haley Construction EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Gillian Haley President Experience: 16 years with Haley Construction Favorite aspect of their job: My job is about people as much as it is about building.

In fact, the key aspect of my role is relationship building—whether that be with community stakeholders, trade and design partners, clients, or perhaps most importantly, with everyone on our team here at Haley Construction. Encouraging personal and professional growth for our employees and providing them with the tools and training to grow and achieve their goals continues to be one of my favorite aspects of my role. I also love working with clients and design professionals early in the planning phase of a project – helping to narrow down and focus the team on project goals and client priorities.

successfully overcame. The most unique aspect came while infilling the concrete floor. “We had to pump concrete through the second-floor window to reach the location,” Haley says. “Any items used on the second floor that cannot fit in the elevator or through the stairway were meticulously lifted through the window.”

Haley Construction utilized cutting-edge, highly technical Skyfold partitions. “Unlike traditional room dividers that fold into a sidewall, this one folds into a ceiling cavity,” Haley says. “It also boasts writable surfaces for unique large-scale collaborations.” ​Subcontractors used on the project include three women-owned firms: Canyon State Electrical, Summa Mechanical, and Ducts, Inc. Others included All Walls LLC, Arizona Woodworks, B&W Fire & Security,

CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA People

Images Courtesy of Haley Contruction

Barett Floors, Beach Products, Blind Dog Graphic Design, Gale Insulation, BZ painting LLC, C&I Show Hardware, Commercial Glass Company LLC, Exquisite Techniques LLC, JSO Contracting, Mcintosh Concrete, Norcon Industries Inc., Paragon Plumbing, Platinum Drywall Corp, Soundcrete Contractors Inc., and The Ironworker Inc. Haley emphasizes that working with likeminded clients, subcontractors, and design experts (SmithGroup) who share common values and company culture pays off exponentially for everyone. She adds, “We are very honored to be a go-to contractor for Yavapai College. We always do our absolute best to provide exceptional service and craftsmanship; we do not take this role lightly.”

Favorite activities away from work: Spending time with my two children, Addison (7) and Cooper (5). Traveling the world, interior design, and searching for overlooked decor treasures at thrift stores and estate sales.

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had to learn how to use a slide rule in engineering school. It is now a lost art, but one item about using the slide rule was drilled into my head, which I still use today. You had to keep track of the powers of ten and make sure the answer made sense. For example, you might get an answer of 421. I had to determine if the answer was 0.421 (4.21 X 10-1), 4.21 (4.21 X 10), 42.1 (4.21 X 101), or any other power of 10. You needed to keep track of the powers of 10 and check to ensure your answer made sense and that you had the correct power of 10.

As an engineering student, I had no idea what answers made sense. I was just trying to master the formulas and was happy to get an answer. With very patient professors, I began to understand what answers made sense and whether my answers were way off base/illogical or at least “in the ballpark” of a correct answer.

This lesson was driven home as a graduate student. Our university had obtained a new software program, which we would use to solve a problem and learn a skill for our future careers. We marveled at how easy it was to use and get an answer to a complex problem. After solving the problem Above: Slide rule.

Below: A frozen bridge amidst unfrozen roads.

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CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Practices

DO MY ANSWERS MAKE SENSE?

Images Courtesy of Author

with the computer, we had to solve the be in hours, not just a few minutes, so your same problem without the computer. answer must be incorrect. But could 4 hours We were shocked that we did not get the be a rational answer? If so, check the units, same answer. as they may have been miswritten after We assumed the mistake was ours, as doing the calculations. If not, you should the computer must be correct, and spent recheck your inputs and the equation used. several hours trying to find our error. In The computer could also provide the correct reality, a glitch in the computer program answer, but the professor will want to see resulted in an answer that was 10 times your work and how you solved the problem bigger than it was supposed to be; in other 3. What does a “Bridge Freezes Before Road” words, the computer prosign tell you to do? The sign gram did not correctly keep “ALWAYS CHECK YOUR WORK, simply states a fact, and it is track of the “powers of 10.” there because both the top EVEN IF THE COMPUTER DID and bottom of the bridge Did the professors know this and were teaching the IT, AND DETERMINE IF THE could be exposed to freezstudents a lesson? If so, I ANSWER MAKES SENSE.” ing weather. The bridge never heard any of the prosurface may have ice, while fessors state this was a learning exercise. the road surface may not.

However, it became a life lesson for me and, Our response to the sign varies throughhopefully, the other students. Always check out the year. In the summer, we ignore it your work, even if the computer did it, and and drive on the bridge as usual. Most of us determine if the answer makes sense. The will still overlook the warning out of habit problems during your employment career in the winter. Hopefully, we will be more will not be evaluated as homework assign- cautious when we see the sign in lousy ments where a “D” is a passing grade. weather, a reminder that a dangerous conWhile teaching at the university, I devel- dition might exist. oped some examples to help students utilize The class realized that giving detailed their developing skills to help determine if instructions concerning the required action their answers made sense: on the sign would be challenging. Although 1. You did measurements to determine the the sign may not instruct us what to do, it midpoint of a bridge that is approximately 1 alerts us to possible danger, and in that way, ¼ miles long, which shows that the midpoint it is successful. As we solve a problem, the is 1536.4 feet from the west entrance to the challenge is to provide a clear solution that bridge. A mile has 5,280 feet, and the bridge people can follow, understand, and make a is reported to be over a mile long. The mid- correct and logical decision. From this viewpoint has to be greater than 2,640 feet from point, the sign is a failure. It assumes we will one of the ends; therefore, there is a mis- know what to do by stating an obvious fact. take. An excellent place to make sure the Getting into the habit of checking your bridge’s length is correct and then to check work and asking yourself if your solution for a math mistake. If these steps don’t help, makes sense can save you a lot of grief. As redo your measurements. a professor, I would tell the students that if 2. You just calculated that a person could they check their work and ask themselves if drive a car from Flagstaff to Tucson in 4 this is a sensible answer, they will improve minutes. The distance between these two their grades. Still, it becomes even more cities isn’t several miles; they are on oppo- critical when people pay and depend on site sides of Arizona. A logical answer would you to solve their problems successfully.

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hoenix, Arizona, is experiencing a construction boom driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and infrastructure development. While this growth supports economic development, it also generates significant construction waste, contributing to environmental challenges.

By embracing sustainable waste reclamation practices and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Phoenix’s construction industry has the opportunity to transform into a model of eco-friendly development.

Addressing Waste Across Construction Trends As multifamily housing developments rise across the city, sustainable practices can significantly reduce waste. Materials like wood, cardboard, plastic, and metal, often discarded during construction, can be salvaged and repurposed. For example, reclaimed wood can be used for flooring or decorative elements, remanufacturing, energy production, or carbon removal and storage.

Phoenix’s industrial and technological expansion, including large-scale manufacturing facilities, also presents an opportunity for material recovery. Structural steel, concrete, asphalt, and glass waste can be recycled into new projects, such as road construction or building foundations. Additionally, infrastructure upgrades like rail extensions and airport enhancements can benefit from crushed concrete and asphalt reuse, reducing landfill contributions.

Redeveloping older properties into mixed-use spaces, such as the transformation of Paradise Valley Mall, showcases how

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Images Courtesy of Author

reclamation can be embedded into urban renewal. Bricks, wood beams, and decorative features salvaged from demolition can find a second life in new developments, reducing the need for virgin materials. Furthermore, incorporating reclaimed materials into visible elements like flooring and walls promotes sustainability for tenants and visitors alike.

The Role of AI in Waste Reclamation Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing waste reclamation by optimizing processes and improving efficiency. AI-powered systems can analyze construction site data to predict waste generation and identify opportunities for reclamation. For instance, sorting robots equipped with advanced sensors can quickly and accurately separate reusable materials, such as wood and steel, from debris.

AI is a game-changer in wood waste reclamation. Automated systems can sort wood by type, quality, and condition, enabling its reuse in various applications, from structural elements to interior finishes. AI algorithms can also match reclaimed materials to specific project needs, reducing dependence on new resources and lowering costs.

For large-scale projects, AI-enabled monitoring tools track material flows and flag opportunities for reuse before waste is created. Predictive models ensure that reclaimed resources are allocated efficiently, while real-time quality control systems guarantee that repurposed materials meet safety and performance standards.

Overcoming Challenges with Sustainability The rising costs of construction materials and ongoing labor shortages in Phoenix

CONSTRUCTION AROUND ARIZONA Practices

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: WASTE RECLAMATION IN PHOENIX’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

present both challenges and opportunities.

Practices, such as reclaiming and reusing materials, offer cost-effective solutions to these issues. Establishing material banks—central repositories for salvaged materials—can support multiple projects, reducing supply chain dependencies and material costs. At the same time, training construction crews in material identification and reclamation ensures a skilled workforce.

AI further addresses these challenges by enhancing workforce management. Tools that optimize labor allocation to reclamation tasks streamline operations, while predictive models ensure that reclaimed materials are readily available for future projects.

These innovations improve project timelines and budgets.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth Phoenix’s construction industry is at a crossroads. With rapid growth comes responsibility and the opportunity to drive efficiencies and reduce costs. Integrating waste diversion and reclamation practices into every stage of development—from multifamily housing and industrial facilities to infrastructure and mixed-use projects— can significantly reduce landfill usage and conserve and reuse valuable resources.

The industry can scale sustainable practices efficiently by leveraging AI to optimize these efforts.

The future of construction in Phoenix lies in balancing growth with sustainability.

Waste reclamation, supported by innovative technologies, ensures that the city’s development is vibrant, efficient, and responsible.

With the right strategies, Phoenix can lead the way in building a greener and more efficient future.

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

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FORTY SIX

JULY AUGUST 2025

Back When MISS AMERICA’S LITCHFIELD PARK FARM LEGACY BILLY HORNER

J

acque Mercer, an Arizona gal crowned Miss America in 1949, grew up with a strong work ethic and a sense of adventure in Litchfield Park, an agricultural community located west of Phoenix. While Mercer’s journey to become Miss America may seem glamorous, her early experiences reveal a young woman unafraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty.

In the summer of 1948, just a year before becoming Miss America, Mercer wanted to visit her high school sweetheart, Doug Cook, who was studying art in Los Angeles. The two would soon be married and divorced within a year. Her father suggested Mercer work on the family farm to pay for the trip.

Without hesitation, she took to the tractor, a job she had while growing up.

The February 1950 issue of Arizona Highways featured Miss America plowing and discing 40 acres of farmland. Dressed head to toe to protect herself from the sun and dust, Mercer earned 75 cents an hour, totaling $34.50. This was hardly the glitzy life of a beauty queen, as Mercer was plowing through life under the Arizona sun long before her fame.

Below: A cleaned-up Jacque Mercer poses on the family tractor, a Ford N-series in Litchfield Park, 1949.

Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

EQUIPMENT UMBRELLAS: A REVOLUTION IN WORKER PROTECTION DEAR TO ARIZONANS BILLY HORNER

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JULY AUGUST 2025

“T

he umbrella mounted over a tractor seat marked the beginning of a revolution that has come a long way,” wrote Rudy Abramson in a 1979 article for the Los Angeles Times. His piece, which was published in The Arizona Republic’s Farm and Ranch section, reflected on a simple yet transformative idea introduced in the 1950s. When umbrellas were first mounted on tractors, older generations of farmers mocked the concept, believing that anyone using an umbrella while operating machinery was a “sissy.”

Despite the initial skepticism, umbrellas were pivotal in how Arizona workers coped with the unforgiving desert sun. The author often challenged this traditional view, asking, “Would these same folks take a covered wagon across the country and ditch the modern jetliner to prove a point in 2025?”

Before World War II, outdoor machinery operators in Arizona were subjected to extreme weather, and since the equipment often lacked a driver’s compartment or cab, operators were exposed to harsh desert elements. However, a machine with a cab would sometimes have deteriorated working conditions, as cooling systems were rarely available. This left operators to “cook” in a furnace-like environment in Arizona’s blistering heat. Makeshift shades or umbrellas evolved to shield workers from the elements.

Beginning in the 1930s, companies started offering construction machinery covers, though sun protection wasn’t a priority initially. Back then, a simple cowboy or safari hat was the standard solution for shielding workers from the sun.

The first recorded mention of an umbrella designed for construction machinery appeared in 1930 when the Troy Sunshade was advertised. Manufactured in Troy, Ohio, the umbrella was affordable and could be attached to nearly any type of

Left: Phoenix’s Tanner Bros. Construction Co. uses a Caterpillar 14D blade outfitted with a four-panel umbrella, and a Trojan loader with a collapsed umbrella along Grand Avenue, 1966.

Right: The Troy Sunshade attached to a Caterpillar Twenty crawler, 1930.

Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

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Image Courtesy of

David Tallon

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

FIFTY

JULY AUGUST 2025

Right: Arizona Sand & Rock Co. uses Caterpillar D8H (1959) and D8 14A (1957) (l-r) bulldozers at their plant along Seventh Street at the Salt River, 1960.

Below right: Victory Tent & Awning Co. advertisement, 1946.

Below left: M.L. Boatman on a tractor with his umbrella, 1946.

Left: A welding crew for the Vinson Construction Co., Phoenix used an umbrella set in a modified pipe brace during a pipeline installation in 1950.

Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

equipment. Like many early designs, it featured a canvas canopy mounted on a swivel above the operator’s seat. The umbrellas were designed to fold down in the face of strong winds, making them both functional and durable.

Over time, the early umbrella designs gained traction. Some manufacturers began offering umbrellas free of charge with equipment purchases, using them as marketing tools to promote their brands.

Company logos were often silk-screened onto the canvas between the umbrella’s panels, turning the shade into a functional item and an advertisement.

In 1946, M.L. Boatman, a farmer and machinist from Nebraska, took a significant step forward by designing a tractor umbrella for mass production. Having created an ARIZCC.COM

initial prototype 15 years earlier, Boatman recognized the growing demand for such products. However, sourcing the necessary materials, such as pipe, spring steel, and brackets, proved challenging. Despite fulfilling small orders, he could not meet the skyrocketing demand, particularly after a Kansas City firm requested 75,000 units.

Boatman’s umbrellas quickly became popular among farmers on both coasts, with large orders pouring in from California and Florida.

Meanwhile, the William H. Ziegler Co. in Minnesota offered umbrellas for $7.75.

C.D. Ashby, a sales representative for Ziegler, conducted demonstrations to showcase the benefits of these umbrellas, which included the added perk of company branding on the canvas.

The trend for umbrellas expanded beyond agriculture and soon became essential for heavy civil construction. The simple, yet effective, umbrellas provided shade for operators and ground personnel, which improved working conditions and made construction jobs in the Arizona desert more tolerable.

During the post-war years, Arizona underwent a significant construction boom, and much of the work involved heavy machinery such as bulldozers, scrapers, and graders. This equipment often lacked ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

Above: The author’s grandfather, Bill R. Horner, operating a Caterpillar 12E blade for United Materials Co. at 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street, 1966.

Left: Two umbrella stems without umbrellas on a laydown machine for New Pueblo Constructors, Tucson, paving a stretch of Interstate 40 east of Albuquerque at Tijeras Canyon, New Mexico, 1974.

Below: A Tucson welder working underneath an umbrella, 1970s.

Image Courtesy of New Pueblo Constructors

FIFTY TWO

JULY AUGUST 2025

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

cabs and left workers exposed to the sun for long periods. To combat the relentless heat, equipment manufacturers began supplying umbrellas. At the same time, companies like Victory Tent & Awning Co. promoted them as essential items for contractors working under the brutal Arizona sun.

By the 1960s, the umbrella had become a vital tool for protecting construction workers, allowing them to remain cooler and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. The shelter provided by the umbrellas helped mitigate exhaustion, improve worker safety, and boost productivity, which were crucial in an era of rapid growth and challenging working conditions.

Advancements in construction technology brought innovations to equipment umbrellas in the 1970s. Manufacturers began using lighter materials, such as aluminum frames and synthetic, weather-resistant fabrics, which made the umbrellas easier to adjust and more portable. Some models folded back when not needed or during equipment transport.

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Above: Tempe’s Nesbitt Contracting Co. paving a street using two umbrellas with two different logos, 1990s.

Right: A BC&M mobile drilling rig worker north of Scottsdale, 1974.

The Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS) safety mandate for construction machinery was released in the 1970s, despite many field operators arguing that prolonged exposure to the sun posed a more immediate health risk than the occasional machine rollover. Umbrellas remained essential on construction sites, especially for machines without cabs or ROPS. Their benefits were crucial, as studies demonstrated the dangers of prolonged sun exposure, including exhaustion, burns, and skin cancer.

While technology and equipment have evolved, the fundamental need for protection from the elements remains. The legacy of the umbrella in Arizona’s construction industry serves as a reminder of the ingenuity needed to adapt to harsh environments and the significance of prioritizing worker safety. The “tough” mindset of the 1970s,

which once dismissed such protective measures, has been reevaluated. The health risks of working in extreme heat and sunlight are widely acknowledged.

Perhaps a 1960 article in the Republic said it best. “It wouldn’t be surprising if farmers [or construction workers] one day voted for the tractor umbrella as the greatest invention since the wheel.”

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

FIFTY FOUR

JULY AUGUST 2025

CASA BLANCA:

A CENTURY OF CHARM BENEATH CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN SCOTT JARSON

T

Image Courtesy of AZ Memory Project

ARIZCC.COM

here are places that refuse to fade hand-hewn beams, and thick walls that into the past. They hold time like an held warmth in winter and cool in summer. old photograph—faded maybe, but The home was horseshoe-shaped around a never forgotten. Casa Blanca, tucked in the courtyard that would later become a rose shadow of Camelback Mountain in Paradise garden. It had stables, a corral, and elegant Valley, is one of those places. A century-old desert landscaping. It was everything one tapestry of original adobe walls, Moorish might expect from a 1920s desert retreat. domes, citrus trees, heirloom roses, and Sadly, Kellogg passed away shortly after the red clay brick paths, this desert gem has qui- home’s completion, and the estate sat quiet etly reflected Arizona’s transformation from for years. a sleepy winter escape to a picture postcard ENTER THE BORGS: FROM PRIVATE of luxury living.

ESTATE TO MOROCCAN FANTASY My relationship with Casa Blanca isn’t The 1940s brought new life to the just professional; it’s personal. As a longtime property. George Borg of the Borg-WarValley real estate agent and architectural ner Corporation acquired the estate as a historian, I’ve walked these grounds more corporate retreat. They dubbed it “Casa times than I can count—first as a wide-eyed Blanca”—perhaps inspired by the 1942 film kid visiting the Sultan’s Table restaurant with of the same name—and they made it somemy family at the then-vibrant Casa Blanca thing truly cinematic.

Inn. Later, as an adult, I am continually The Borgs added more stables, guest cotdrawn to the timeless elegance of the struc- tages, a glittering pool, and even a private tures and their stories. airstrip where executives and celebrities THE BEGINNING: DONALD KELLOGG could land small planes. Most notably, AND R.T. EVANS they introduced a Moroccan theme that The story of Casa Blanca begins in the would become Casa Blanca’s signature—a 1920s, when Donald Kellogg, an artist and whimsical, white onion dome rising over heir to a Buffalo manufactura turreted dining room. That ing family, sought to build a “CASA BLANCA HAS building would become the winter estate at the base of fabled on-site restaurant for the Camelback. He enlisted archi- MANAGED TO EVOLVE future inn, The Sultan’s Table. tect Robert T. “Bob” Evans—an WITHOUT ERASING ITS I can still picture it. That engineer-turned-builder known domed structure looked like IDENTITY.” locally as “Adobe Bob.” Evans something out of a storybook, was no ordinary designer. Schooled in engi- and when you entered for dinner, it felt like neering at the Armour Institute in Chicago you were being transported—not just to and in architecture in Freiburg, Germany, he Morocco, but to another time entirely. blended European sensibilities with a deep THE RESORT YEARS: 1950S–1970S appreciation for indigenous materials and In the early 1950s, Casa Blanca opened techniques. to the public as a luxury resort under the Evans had moved to Arizona in 1923, management of Royal Treadway. By then, seeking dry air for his tuberculosis. That the estate had evolved into a full-fledged twist of fate redirected his life and left Ari- destination with accommodations for over zona with a legacy of adobe structures now 130 guests. It quickly became a favorite of legendary—among them, the Jokake Inn Hollywood royalty—Marilyn Monroe, Clark and, of course, the original Kellogg home Gable, and other luminaries were known to that we know now as Casa Blanca. sneak away to Casa Blanca for a bit of desEvans built the Kellogg estate in the ert seclusion.

Pueblo and Spanish Colonial Revival The Sultan’s Table became an event in styles he was known for—adobe bricks, itself. I remember going there with my parents and family as a child, dressed for a Left: Casa Blanca Inn, 1950s. night out. I must have been about eight or ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

Images Courtesy of AZ Memory Project

nine, and it felt like stepping into another universe. There was something about the fragrance of the roses outside, the low lighting, the classic attire of the servers— it was the kind of evening that sticks with you for life.

Even during Arizona’s off-seasons, locals knew to take advantage of Casa Blanca Inn’s charm. The “shoulder months,” when tourists thinned out, were golden. We’d drop in for dinner or even just to walk the gardens.

The windbreak glass around the pool, the citrus-scented breezes, the peaceful hush— it was like a private vacation without ever leaving town.

It was picturesque and notable as well.

More than one local clothing designer used it as a backdrop for “Arizona Resort Style” clothing lines. The glamorous connotations

and romance of the Casa Blanca Inn are thankfully well documented in print and postcards.

1970S: TRANSITION AND TROUBLE But like many boutique resorts of the era, Casa Blanca eventually faced stiff competition from large-scale convention hotels.

In 1971, Ramada Inns acquired the property.

They rebranded the Sultan’s Table to “Le Jardin,” adding tennis courts and honeymoon suites, and tried modernizing the operation.

Still, they couldn’t quite capture the magic that had made Casa Blanca special, and the resort began to decline. A shadow of its former self, it was ready for new life.

A NEW CHAPTER: RESIDENTIAL REBIRTH By the early 1980s, the golden age of Arizona’s intimate resorts was drawing to

a close. Great Western Development saw potential in Casa Blanca not as a hotel but as a home for many. They brought in respected architect George Christensen to lead the transformation into a residential community.

Christensen’s approach was thoughtful.

He preserved key historical features—the onion dome, the adobe courtyard structures, the lush rose garden—and designed new residences that harmonized with the original vision. His 37 initial homes were carefully integrated into the landscape, with hand-troweled stucco finishes, shaded patios, and low-slung forms that honored the past while looking to the future.

In the 1990s, further additions brought the community to 113 homes across 19 acres. The original barn and stables gave Above: Casa Blanca Inn, 1940s.

Left: Biplane on the Casa Blanca Inn airstrip, 1940s.

Below: Casa Blanca Inn, 1940s.

Right: Recent photos of the Casa Blanca residential community, 2025.

Images Courtesy of AZ Memory Project

FIFTY SIX

JULY AUGUST 2025

Images Courtesy of AZ Memory Project

way to tennis courts and pools. Cactus gardens replaced horse paddocks. Development came to the Casa Blanca, but uniquely, the spirit remained in this redevelopment.

THE PRESENT: LIVING HISTORY Casa Blanca is one of the Valley’s most desirable gated enclaves today. With heated pools, tennis courts, walking paths, and that iconic dome still standing watch, it offers a rare blend of historic charm and modern comfort. The rose garden still blooms, the citrus trees still scent the air, and if you pause and listen, you can almost hear the footsteps of a 1920s Kellogg guest— or a 1950s movie star—strolling past the fountain.

To this day, I’ll bring clients here and watch their eyes light up. “It feels like a resort,” they say—and it does. But it also Images Courtesy of Scott Jarson

ARIZCC.COM

feels like a home. That’s the magic of Casa Blanca. It was never just bricks and adobe; it was always about grace, quiet luxury, and the enduring appeal of the Arizona sun.

CLOSING THOUGHTS What I love most about Casa Blanca is its continuity. While so many historic properties have been razed or radically altered, Casa Blanca has managed to evolve without erasing its identity. From Evans’ original adobe craftsmanship to Christensen’s respectful additions, each chapter honors the last. As someone who’s grown up with it, studied it, and now helps people live in it, I find that incredibly satisfying.

This winter retreat, corporate getaway, hidden desert inn, and now homes and condominiums, this property and buildings have walked a special path rich with history,

Above: Casa Blanca Inn, 1950s.

design, and desert beauty. Like the profile of its neighbor, the nearby Camelback Mountain, Casa Blanca endures.

Casa Blanca may no longer host film stars or Sunday night dinners under the dome (though I’ll never forget those), but it still offers something rare—a sense of place, a story, a soul. And in a valley that often races toward the next big thing, that kind of permanence is its own kind of luxury.

Casa Blanca in Paradise Valley stands as a testament to the region’s transformation from a desert retreat to a luxurious residential enclave. Its history is rich with architectural innovation, celebrity allure, and personal memories that continue to resonate today.

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

MIDCENTURY LOUNGING AT ITS FINEST: THE SUNDRELLA 701 ALUMINUM UMBRELLA MICHELLE DODDS

T

he shady path to a relaxing afternoon began in 1946 when George C. Jamison and Harley A. Wagg submitted a patent that included a lawn umbrella design.

The same two gentlemen, along with Doyle H. Simpson, filed the Articles of Incorporation for Sundrella Manufacturing Co. in FIFTY EIGHT

1948, and it wasn’t long before the Sundrella 701 All-Aluminum Umbrella made its debut.

Meyer Feldman, founder of Zephyr Venetian Blind Co. in Tucson, introduced the Sundrella 701 umbrella in the Arizona Post in 1949. He invited the public to attend

a free demonstration of the new umbrella at his manufacturing plant. Feldman soon placed advertisements featuring the Sundrella in the Tucson Citizen and Arizona Daily Star, and described it as “sturdy as an oak, colorful as a maple, light as a feather, and strong as an ox.”

Although advertisements appeared in Phoenix in the late 1940s for Sundrella aluminum awnings, umbrellas, and carport and patio covers, ads featuring the Sundrella emerged in the 1960s. A Paddock ad from 1965 offered the low price of $79.95 JULY AUGUST 2025

Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

for the Sundrella umbrella, touting its “exciting arrays of colors” and that it was “built to withstand the elements.”

In 1973, an ad in The Arizona Republic offered a sale price of $104.88 and mentioned its “heavy-duty aluminum with a patented swivel, on a stainless-steel shaft.”

An ad in 1981 that offered the umbrella for a cost of $239.88 boasted a “7-foot umbrella in a choice of 25 baked acrylic enamel colors” and that the “patented swivel ‘thinks for itself’ as it automatically positions the umbrella for self-protection in periods of ARIZCC.COM

high wind.” Consumers were also offered a 42-inch table, an umbrella, and four chairs for $389 in an ad from 1987.

In 1981, the corporation’s name changed to Sundrella Aluminum Products, and they filed to trademark the name Sundrella, which was registered in 1983. In 1990, they filed to trademark the name/image of Sundrella Casual, which was registered in 1992.

Eric Simonson was vice president and general manager of Sundrella when the company was located at 3849 W. Clarendon in Phoenix. In 1997, Sundrella obtained

Image Courtesy of Author

Left: Hanny’s department store’s annual women’s fashion show at Arizona Manor, 1952.

Above: Patent drawing for the aluminum umbrella, 1951.

City Council approval for the issuance by the Industrial Development Authority of Phoenix of its Revenue Bonds not to exceed $2.1 million for land purchase, construction, and relocation of its existing plant to a state-ofthe-art 65,000 square foot facility at 2740 W. Deer Valley Road.

Sundrella expected to increase the ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

Left: Sundrella Mfg. Co., provides aluminum shade for the Horseless Carriage exhibit at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1951.

Below: Sundrella advertisement by J & W Mfg. Co. at 17th Street and Palm Lane, 1948.

Bottom right: Feldman with his Sundrella aluminum umbrella, 1949.

Bottom left: Sundrella Mfg. Co. at 516 North First Street, 1950.

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

number of employees from 60 to 75, hiring highly skilled welders, machinists, and powder coaters, resulting in an increase of $450,000 in annual payroll once fully operational. Simonson was quoted in an article that year when discussing the expansion, saying that it had been their best year ever.

“We had to decide whether to stay, buy a new building, or build. And we wanted to continue growing the company.”

In 2001, the Republic interviewed Simonson for the article, “Patio Furniture Gets a Yearlong Workout in Valley.” He stated, “The Number 1 question people ask is, ‘How easy

is the furniture to take care of?’ Either cast or tubular aluminum is easy to clean, won’t rust, and stays cooler than other metals.”

Simonson recommended cleaning with warm, soapy water, adding, “You can leave this furniture out year-round.”

Another significant move by Sundrella occurred in 2002, when they acquired Sucast Foundry, an aluminum foundry located in central Phoenix. Simonson told the Republic that “the deal gives Sundrella more control of cast processes, keeps jobs in Phoenix and positions the company to broaden product lines.”

In 2012, Sundrella was sold to a company that later became Sundrella Outdoor Furnishings, which was headquartered in Ocala, Images Courtesy of Author

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Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

Above: Poolside at the Westward Ho Hotel, early 1970s.

Left: Sundrella 701 umbrellas outside along the swimming pool at the Flamingo Hotel on Phoenix’s Van Buren Street, 1958.

Florida. However, the new owners weren’t interested in the Sundrella 701 Aluminum Umbrella, so manufacturing remained in Arizona.

Simonson created Arizona Umbrellas & Table Tops in 2012 and retired seven years later. Larry Schilling began his career at Sundrella in 1984, cleaning the floor and dealing with odds and ends. He became the owner of Arizona Umbrellas and its Sundrella 701 Aluminum Umbrella in 2021.

Today, Arizona Umbrellas continues the legacy of the much-acclaimed umbrella, with about 90 percent of its sales coming from out of state. The company doesn’t sell directly to consumers but is happy to refer people to one of their 15 distributors, four ARIZCC.COM

ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

of which are located in Arizona. The firm does, however, do umbrella repairs.

Their shop, at 5036 N. 54th Ave in Glendale, is used to fabricate the umbrella. Three jigs are used to fashion the umbrella, which is manufactured by hand. The parts are aluminum except for the bolts, screws, and rod within the swivel, which are all steel.

The first jig forms the umbrella frame, the second jig creates beautifully colored canopy sections called vanes, and the third jig handles additional work during large orders. Each umbrella has 40 aluminum vanes, in which 250 screws are used to assemble one umbrella.

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The vanes are subcontracted to another company to paint, which offers a seemingly endless combination of colors. The umbrellas are shipped in two sections, and the company also does installations, mostly with schools, hotels, HOAs, and multi-family communities.

Schilling explains how the umbrella’s magical swivel works, which aerodynamically swivels into the wind, and he says to always point the umbrella into the wind to keep it from flipping inside out. He works with his son, Daniel, and son-in-law, Taylor, and hopes they will continue the umbrella’s legacy.

Images Courtesy of Author

Above: Larry Schilling with Sundrella frame jig, 2025.

Top left: Assembly of a new 701 umbrella, 2025.

Bottom right: Daniel Schilling with the company mascot, Nathan, at the shop at 5036 N. 54th Ave, 2025.

Bottom left: Larry Schilling assembling a 701 umbrella on the jig, 2025.

Schilling’s favorite moment in the shop is when someone comes in to pick up their umbrella. The company saves the final assembly for any children in the family, letting them add the steeple to the top of the canopy. Making people part of the story of the 701 umbrella makes it all worthwhile.

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A MIDCENTURY MODERN STAR IS BORN: THE HISTORY, CONSTRUCTION, AND ALLURE OF HOTEL VALLEY HO KIANNA PITEGOFF

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s a winter destination, the allure of Scottsdale, Arizona, grew rapidly in the mid-1950s, prompting the need for a new luxury hotel to accommodate the increasing influx of tourists. On December 20, 1956, Hotel Valley Ho opened its doors, beginning an iconic chapter in Scottsdale’s history.

SIXTY FOUR

This stylish resort, designed to capture the essence of midcentury modernism, quickly became a celebrated hub of activity in the Valley of the Sun. Over the years, it has maintained its status as a cultural landmark, attracting not only tourists but also Hollywood stars and other high-profile guests.

Robert and Evelyn Foehl, a husbandand-wife duo with a long hospitality management history, spearheaded the creation of Hotel Valley Ho. The Foehls, who had previously managed resorts in Southern California, saw the potential for a glamorous getaway in Scottsdale, then a developing desert town. Evelyn had frequently vacationed at the Biltmore in the 1930s and ‘40s, where she met Robert, the son of the Biltmore’s first general manager.

Their combined experience and vision led them to develop the Hotel Valley Ho, a name derived from a contest in a local newspaper and a playful nod to the Foehls’ sister JULY AUGUST 2025

Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

Above: Staff of the Hotel Valley Ho, 1963.

Top right: Hotel Valley Ho Pool.

Right: Three women at a fashion shoot at the Hotel Valley Ho, late 1950s.

property, the Westward Ho in Downtown Phoenix. The term “ho” was a common designation in the 1950s to indicate a destination, harkening to phrases like “Westward Ho!” which invoked the American westward expansion.

Designed by local architect Edward L. Varney, with assistance from Reginald Sydnor, the hotel was an early example of modern design in the region. In 1956, Kitchell-Phillips was awarded the building ARIZCC.COM

Images Courtesy of Author

contract for $1.2 million. It featured a lush 10-acre layout, with a central courtyard and pool that became iconic for hosting everything from weddings to fashion shows.

Notably, Hotel Valley Ho was the first hotel in Scottsdale to have central air conditioning, allowing it to stay open year-round, an essential feature needed for the climate.

The hotel boasted 180 rooms and became known for integrating Southwestern and European architectural styles, making it a one-of-a-kind resort in the area.

Hotel Valley Ho quickly became a beacon of midcentury modern design, with clean lines, open spaces, and a seamless

integration of the indoor and outdoor environments. One of the hotel’s most distinct features is its 350-pound Indian-motif concrete panels that line the property. These panels, which have become the hotel’s signature, were one of the first large-scale architectural features to be implemented in Arizona.

Each room in the hotel was equipped with a black-and-white television, a cutting-edge luxury at the time, and some rooms even included kitchenettes for guests’ convenience. The original plan called for 300 rooms, which was later expanded in phases. At its peak, the master plan even ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

envisioned up to 900 rooms, including a never-built tower. Nevertheless, the Valley Ho quickly became the preferred place to stay for visitors to Scottsdale, particularly as it attracted actors, athletes, and the social elite.

SIXTY SIX

Images Courtesy of Author

From the beginning, Hotel Valley Ho Other famous faces who frequented the was more than just a hotel; it was a Holly- hotel included Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, and wood hideaway. The hotel’s stylish design Janet Leigh, whose fame skyrocketed after and seclusion made it the perfect escape the release of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho in for celebrities seeking privacy away from 1960. The Foehls became friends with many the public’s prying eyes. In the late 1950s of their celebrity guests, and their relationand early 1960s, many stars frequented the ships with stars helped solidify the hotel’s resort for its serene atmosphere and relaxed reputation as a stylish, private retreat. desert ambiance.

The hotel also attracted prominent figNotably, Robert Wagner and Natalie ures such as baseball players Ted Williams Wood chose the hotel for their private wed- and Bobby Feller. It was a true crossroads ding reception in 1957, of the entertainment and away from the South- “IT’S A SYMBOL OF THE GLAMOROUS sports world, making it a ern California spotlight. for the rich and DAYS OF OLD HOLLYWOOD AND A haven The hotel’s proximity to famous for many years.

CHERISHED PIECE OF ARIZONA’S Hollywood made it an Despite its initial ideal destination for stars success, Hotel Valley ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.” like Zsa Zsa Gabor, who Ho underwent several was often seen riding horses around the ownership changes and transformations. property, and Jimmy Durante, who would After Robert Foehl died in 1973, the hotel surprise guests by playing the piano late at was acquired by Ramada and became the night in the lobby.

Ramada Valley Ho. The Ramada brand emphasized family-friendly accommodations, and the property expanded to include Top: Banquet at the Hotel Valley Ho, late 1950s.

Left: Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood the neighboring Ramada Hotel, which was getting married at Hotel Valley Ho, 1957. built in 1961.

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Images Courtesy of Author

Above: Original dining area at the Hotel Valley Ho, 1950s.

Below: Hotel expansion during remodeling, 2005.

Bottom left: Employees inspect the original brick wall during remodeling, 2005.

Bottom right: The hotel’s signature doubleaccessible king room and patio, 2025.

Over the following decades, the hotel went through various updates and renovations, though its midcentury modern style remained largely intact. But by the early 2000s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair and was at risk of being torn down.

However, in 2002, MSR Properties, a local

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real estate company, purchased the property with plans to restore it to its former splendor.

The massive renovation cost $80 million and took several years to complete.

By December 20, 2005, exactly 49 years after its original opening, Hotel Valley Ho reopened its doors, proudly retaining its midcentury modern aesthetic while incorporating modern amenities.

The restoration focused on preserving the hotel’s most distinctive features, including the iconic concrete panels, the swiveling panels connecting rooms via their balconies, and the brick walls in the guestrooms, which

were carefully uncovered and restored. New additions, such as the OH Pool, VH Spa, and the ZuZu restaurant, helped bring the property into the modern era while staying true to its original charm. In 2008, a tower was added, further elevating the hotel’s stature.

Today, Hotel Valley Ho is regarded as one of the best-preserved midcentury hotels in the country. The hotel’s distinctive design elements and its historical significance have earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Its modern renovations have made it a go-to destination for both nostalgic fans of the midcentury period and a new generation of visitors seeking a luxury experience in a stunning architectural setting.

Whether lounging by the pool, enjoying a meal at ZuZu, or exploring the meticulously restored interiors, Hotel Valley Ho continues to offer a glimpse into Scottsdale’s glamorous past. It has reestablished itself as a coveted destination for travelers, celebrities, and anyone looking for a taste of retro elegance with all the luxuries of contemporary living.

From its opening in 1956 to its revival in the 2000s, Hotel Valley Ho has stood as a testament to Scottsdale’s rise as a cultural and tourist destination. With its iconic midcentury modern design, famous guests, and historical significance, the hotel is more than just a place to stay—it’s a symbol of the glamorous days of old Hollywood and a cherished piece of Arizona’s architectural history. As it continues to draw visitors from around the world, Hotel Valley Ho’s legacy as a desert gem will surely endure for generations to come.

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THE ARIZONA BILTMORE ON WHEELS: PHOENIX’S FAMED WONDERBUS JAMES LOGAN ABELL, FAIA

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ould the modern recreational vehicle have been invented in Arizona? Some credit John K. Hanson, who founded Winnebago in Iowa in 1958, as the inventor. But much earlier, the admired Airstream Company began in Culver City, California, with founder Wally Byam designing a teardrop trailer around 1931.

However, the true pioneers of the modern recreational vehicle may be Charles and Warren Jr. McArthur of Phoenix. In 1914, they established The McArthur Brothers Mercantile Company, but their true passion lay in invention. The business later changed to McArthur Brothers Dodge Agency.

In 1924, they transformed a Dodge truck into a “Hotel on Wheels” named the Wonderbus, a testament to their innovative spirit. While the McArthur’s considered building hotels in Tucson, Casa Grande, and Flagstaff, they took visitors to the Old Pueblo on tours in this unique vehicle, including writer Sinclair Louis.

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How innovative were the McArthur Brothers? In 1912, shortly after graduating from Cornell, Warren patented a short-globe lamp, a design which he sold to the Dietz Lantern Company for a significant sum of $2,000. Charles was similarly gifted, and the brothers formed KFAD, currently KTAR, the first radio station in Arizona, which began broadcasting in Phoenix on June 21, 1922.

As a skilled golfer, Charles promoted the new Phoenix Country Club just north of town at Seventh Street and Thomas Road and recruited Lloyd Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, to design its golf course. In 1927, Charles invented an electric golf cart, believed to be the first ever made. In the 1930s, he moved to New York and focused on advertising for the next 26 years, developing a new kind of 3-D sign. His later

Images Courtesy of Author

creations included building an electric automobile.

On January 4, 1926, Warren filed a patent for an RV design called a “Touring and Camping Road Vehicle”, which was granted on March 10, 1931. Envisioning tours of the Grand Canyon, the McArthur Brothers set up headquarters at the Monte Vista Hotel in Flagstaff with the ambition of taking clients to see the scenic sites of northern Arizona.

Warren wrote in a 1927 Progressive Arizona magazine, “We had pictured in

Above: Camping with the Wonderbus, 1920s.

Right: Wonderbus advertisement in Progressive Arizona magazine, 1927.

JULY AUGUST 2025

Images Courtesy of Author

our dream, a modern hotel on wheels, in which to make this Wonder Circuit Tour.”

With their older brother, architect Albert Chase McArthur, the trio opened the fabulous Arizona Biltmore Hotel in February of 1928. With the scheduled closing of their winter resort in the late spring, the new Arizona Biltmore Tours Incorporated transferred “…deluxe sedans, the Scenic

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Wonder-coach, the Lounge Coach, and the incomparable Wonderbus, with its companion supply car, fifteen vehicles in all” north, to new duties in Flagstaff.

With great marketing, Warren advertised the “Wonder Circuit” of Arizona in 1929 to his wealthy patrons, “Of course, special attention is always given to arranging each trip to the taste of the individual…. short,

Above: Wonderbus photo in Progressive Arizona magazine, 1927.

Below: A Biltmore Hotel Wonderbus tour, 1927.

comfortable trips include cliff dwellings, prehistoric ruins, ancient volcanoes, painted deserts, petrified forests, ice caves, national parks and monuments, Indian reservations, national forests, enchanted mesas, fantastic canyons, amazing rock formations, and vast views of desert and mountain.”

The Wonderbus became known as “The Arizona Biltmore on Wheels.”

The modified 1924 Dodge truck included “…a restful and commodious living room, a kitchen, toilet, and lavatory with running hot water, and four comfortable Pullman-berth beds. Each berth is individually lighted which makes reading in bed an added pleasure. The furnishings include four luxurious lounge chairs with upholstered air cushions and springs, wardrobes, drawer space, writing and vanity tables, shelves, mirrors, gun lockers, electric lights and fans, ventilators, heaters, carpeted floors, copper window screens, books, maps, etc.”

A supply car at the rear carried sleeping quarters for the crew and lockers to store provisions. The chef entered the ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

Left: Wonderbus postcard, 1920s.

Wonderbus’s kitchen from a rear door, and meals were served either in the living room on a folding removable table or outside under a wide awning.

Much was made of the high level of service to be expected and the entertainment of the guides who knew the “lay of the land.” Leo Larsen, a guide and driver, was featured in their advertisements as speaking many Native American languages.

After the stock market crash in October 1929, the Arizona Biltmore failed to attract patrons, and the McArthur brothers sold their interest and disbanded their Phoenix operations. Albert, the architect, retired to Los Angeles, Charles moved to New York to do advertising, and Warren moved to California to create a furniture fabrication company.

In the early 1930s, aluminum became a popular industrial design material, and Warren designed and made aluminum tubular furniture, including chairs, tables, sofas, lamps, and ashtrays. His aluminum furniture was popular with Hollywood stars and producers of the 1930s, and clients included Jack L. Warner, Marlene Dietrich, Fredric March, and Clark Gable.

In 1932, Warren left Los Angeles and established the Warren McArthur Corp. in Rome, New York. He also set up a sales office and showroom in New York City at 1 Park Avenue in 1933. He enjoyed creating

specialized designs until he died in 1961. His commissions included Union Pacific Railroad cars, Cunard passenger waiting lounges, Chrysler executive offices, and Marshall Field’s department store hair salons.

In 1934, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Exhibition of Contemporary American Industrial Art” included Warren’s furniture.

It could be said that Warren used his Wonderbus design experience later in his career to craft wonderful interiors of modern airplanes. How’s that for inventive “flights of fancy”?

Right: Wonderbus photo in Progressive Arizona magazine, 1927.

Images Courtesy of Author

SEVENTY TWO

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SALUTING ARIZONA’S BUILDERS: KARL ELLER

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

DOUGLAS TOWNE

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t isn’t easy to categorize Arizona busi- so passing vehicles could read their poetic nessman, entrepreneur, and marketer advertising messages rhythmically.

Karl Eller. He led major corporations Eller’s “go for it” philosophy was eviand was renowned for sketching complex, dent when he tried out for the Tucson High multimillion-dollar deals on the back of a School football team in 1945. He entered a napkin. Eller played a key role in the Valley scrimmage without a helmet or pads, and by launching the Phoenix Roadrunners, the the coach warned him against tackling anyPhoenix Suns, the Fiesta Bowl, and the Ari- one to avoid injury. Determined to make the zona Cardinals. His generous team, Eller ignored the warndonations to his alma mater “LIFE IS SHORT, FAILURE ing and took down several ball inspired the University of Aricarriers. His impressive perforzona to name the Eller College IS USUAL, AND YOU PASS mance was acknowledged, of Management in his honor. earning Eller the position of HERE ONLY ONCE.” Moreover, he left his mark as starting fullback. The team the creator of the Big Gulp and the Hallow- achieved a remarkable 33-game winning een snack-sized candy bar. streak, led by quarterback Frank Borman, Eller’s achievements springboarded from who would later become an astronaut and his inherent risk-taking personality and an head of Eastern Airlines. early career in the billboard industry. Eller He enlisted in the U.S. Army after World was born in Chicago in 1928 and moved with War II and was stationed in Occupied Japan his mother and sister to Tucson in 1937. In for two years. Later, thanks to the GI Bill, a 2014 interview, he recalled his fascina- he attended the University of Arizona, gradtion with the Burma Shave billboards along uating in 1952. While there, Eller met and the roadside. These signs were arranged married Joan “Stevie” Stevens.

SEVENTY FOUR

Top: An Eller Outdoor billboard for Arizona Sand & Rock Co. Above: Karl Eller, 1974.

Eller’s first job was as a billboard leasing agent for Foster & Kleiser in Tucson. In 1962, Foster & Kleiser offered Eller their Southwestern operations for $5 million. Seizing the opportunity, he recruited investors and impressed bankers, leading to the establishment of Eller Outdoor Advertising that same year in Phoenix. He quickly expanded beyond the Southwest.

“TV and newspaper messages are ephemeral. A strong billboard, though, has JULY AUGUST 2025

staying power. It’s like a bridge, statue, or huge old tree – a landmark you can remember,” Eller wrote in his 1995 book Integrity Is All You’ve Got. Eller Outdoor’s major clients included A.J. Bayless grocery stores, Arizona Bank, and First National Bank, but not the financial institution they used: Valley Bank. Eller took it as a challenge to secure the account and left personal messages on a billboard for its president, Walter Bimson, which he could see from his office. The campaign worked, as the bank added outdoor advertising to its marketing portfolio.

A memorable Eller Outdoor early client was Blakely gas stations, famous for their souvenir glasses decorated with desert plants. “Not many salesmen could get in to see the owner, Monroe Blakely, who was a real interesting character,” Eller said in 2014.

“He took a liking to me and became one of my largest accounts with billboards all over the state. But it was sure tough to get him to pay his bills.”

Successful billboard advertising is simple, according to Eller. “You need to recognize locations with the best roadside vistas. Then, if you have good content on the billboard, you get good results. If you have lousy content, you get lousy results.

That’s what we excelled at and why we grew and were successful. We also charged far less than broadcast media. Billboards are the least expensive way to reach mass Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

audiences, especially with cable fragmenting TV viewership.”

The key to marketing billboards to potential customers was creating a miniature mockup of the finished product.

At Eller Outdoor Advertising, the art staff

outnumbered the sales staff, creating countless little speculative art models of billboards. “The tough part to sell the customers on is simplicity,” Eller said.

The company later purchased newspapers, television and radio stations and rebranded itself as Combined Communications in 1968. “Eller served as CEO of Gannett following its merger with Combined Communications before becoming president of Columbia Pictures in 1980,” according to www.legacy.com. “His vision of merging Columbia Pictures with the Coca-Cola Company would result in a $1.6 billion gain for Coke by the time they sold Columbia.”

In 1983, Eller became CEO of Circle K convenience stores, which declared bankruptcy in 1990. Undeterred, he returned to outdoor advertising with Eller Media Company in 1992, which he sold for $1.15 billion in 1997. He eventually retired in 2001.

Eller passed away at 90 in 2019, still touting entrepreneurial opportunities for risk-takers. “Life is short, failure is usual, and you pass here only once,” Eller wrote in his book. “You can make the best or worst of it—just sliding through is quitting. Once you grasp the alternatives, living to the hilt, even briefly, is the best of all deals.”

Above: Karl Eller.

Left: Karl Eller with Connie Hawkins and Dick Van Arsdale (l-r) of the Phoenix Suns, 1970.

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OLD SCHOOL EQUIPMENT

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER’S FACTORY-INSTALLED TWIN-STACK DOZER BILLY HORNER

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aterpillar’s D8 bulldozers with modified twin smokestack exhaust systems were featured in the Old School Equipment column in the magazine’s March-April 2025 issue. Initially powered by the D13000 engine, these machines came from the factory in the 1950s equipped with a single smokestack. We showcased images of D8s with twin side-by-side smokestacks and asked, “Why modify from a single to twin smokestacks?”

Initially, we believed the answer was that Caterpillar users had modified the bulldozers to imitate International Harvester’s twin-stack design, possibly in pursuit of improved engine performance. Our previous May-June 2025 issue explored that theory and concluded the mystery, providing new information that Caterpillar offered a lesser-known factory twin-stack D8 bulldozer.

In this issue, we focus on one of Caterpillar’s main competitors from that

same era: International Harvester Co., which offered factory-installed twin smokestacks on two bulldozer models. We have gained additional insight from our engine expert, Marion Jordan. After many questions about variations, years, and other details, Jordan asked for a sheet of paper and provided a simple sketch illustrating how to distinguish between various International Harvester models, making it a valuable resource for identifying these machines in vintage photographs.

During the 1940s and 1950s, International Harvester introduced several “TD” (Track Diesel) crawler and bulldozer models to compete directly with Caterpillar.

The TD-18 and TD-24 models featured twin smokestacks due to their unique engine design. These machines were powered by long, six-cylinder engines built around a single engine block. However, the exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads at the upper portions of the engine block were split into two sections, each bolted to the block.

This configuration allowed each half of the Left: Tucson contractor Martin Construction with an affixed front cable control unit on an International TD-24 twin stack crawler, pulling a cable-controlled scraper near Hayden, Arizona, 1959.

Below: Tucson contractor Pioneer Constructors, using their new International TD-24 twin stack bulldozer purchased at Ronstadt Hardware Co., 1948.

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

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engine to have its own exhaust outlet, resulting in two smokestacks.

With this understanding, we now know the twin-stack D8s weren’t modified to mimic International Harvester’s design for performance reasons, nor were contractors adding the additional stack under the belief that it would improve engine output. The complete story can be found in the previous May-June 2025 issue.

To wrap things up, we’ll look at historic photos showing how Arizona contractors utilized International Harvester’s twin-stack TD-18 and TD-24 bulldozers in the field from the late 1940s through the 1950s. Marion Jordan’s helpful sketch was instrumental in allowing us to quickly identify International Harvester machines on construction projects.

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Below: M.M. Sundt Construction using one of its International TD-24 twin stack bulldozers during construction of the two-mile long runway used

by U.S. Air Force B-47 Stratojets in Tucson, 1952.

Left: “America’s Most Powerful Crawler Tractor” declared an O.S. Stapley Company advertisement for the International TD-24 in 1950.

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BUILDING ON THE PAST

1957 – ARTIFICIAL SHADE FACILITATES NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BILLY HORNER

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he Four Corners area had plenty of natural gas, but little shade as 1957 rolled around. A pipeline was needed to transport the hydrocarbons to refineries in Los Angeles, and umbrellas were essential as sun shields for the workers building the lengthy conduit.

Continental Pipeline Co., Gulf Oil Corp., Richfield Oil Corp., Shell Oil Co., Standard Oil Co. of California, and Superior Oil Co. financed the $24-million infrastructure project and awarded the work to three contractors.

R.H. Fulton & Co. of Lubbock, Texas; Potashnick Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and A.P.

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Vaughn Construction Co. of Fort Worth, Texas, mobilized railcar shipments of supplies and heavy equipment to the remote northeast corner of Arizona. Meanwhile, the contractors set up a field office with 25 personnel in Flagstaff before the project’s summer 1957 kickoff.

Pipeline workers faced relentless, unyielding heat during the summer. Besides company vehicles and excavators, the on-site machinery lacked cabs, and refrigeration was non-existent. A simple tool became essential in these extreme conditions: the umbrella.

Workers used umbrellas to shield themselves from the harsh sun during

long shifts. Umbrellas reduced fatigue and heat exhaustion while enabling crews to excavate trenches where massive 30-inch pipes were lowered into place. Once operational, the 750-mile-long pipeline carried 278 million cubic feet of gas daily.

R.H. Fulton Co. built three sections, including a nearly 100-mile stretch between the Arizona communities of Cameron and Seligman, a 112-mile segment between the California communities of Twenty-Nine Palms and Olive, and another 105 miles east from Olive to the Colorado River. Potashnick and Vaughn construction companies built the 76-mile portion from the Aneth field in southern Utah into Kayenta, Arizona, and a 95-mile segment from Kayenta to Cameron.

And umbrellas—and please don’t call them parasols—created shade that made construction easier each step of the way.

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Below: R.H. Fulton crews using GardnerDenver air compressors to power heavy drills, assisted by a Caterpillar crawler to break bedrock, 1957.

Right: One of the few R.H. Fulton machines with an open cab, excavating for the natural gas pipeline, 1957.

Bottom right: An operator sits in the sun at the bottom of the trench line, waiting to level the ground before pipe installation, 1957.

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he story of one of the Valley’s finest developments begins with Daniel C. Gainey, a Minnesotan who became wealthy by selling class rings. For his second career, he bred Arabian horses on a large acreage in north-central Scottsdale, a spread which included Hereford cattle and farmland. Our family experienced the operation as his cattle bordered our backyard wall when we purchased our house in 1980. The horses were also adjacent to the residential development, and there were signs asking people not to feed them as they had restrictive diets.

Later that year, Markland Properties, headed by James M. Kilday, purchased 560 of Gainey’s 640 acres. This development company would create Gainey Ranch.

The master planning of this property reflected a vision for a “living resort” community that would “be like a small town.”

The surrounding growth would sustain and serve it, capturing a “cozy, laid-back urban

Architect’s Perspective: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa: A Summer Getaway Doug Sydnor, FAIA Doug_sydnor@outlook.com oasis” amid Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. The development was named Gainey Ranch to respect the area’s history, and the original Gainey residence was adapted to a new Estate Club.

The final master plan included 18 gated residential communities of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums; a 27-hole championship golf course and golf club; Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa; a fitness club; professional offices; retail, including restaurants; and a municipal park. An unprecedented infrastructure improvement at the time was a state-of-theart water treatment plant that filtered the development effluent and then reused the treated gray water to irrigate the golf course, saving tremendous amounts of water.

The centralized heart of the plan is the 27-acre Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa, which is at an elevated location for scenic views of the McDowell Mountains to the northeast. The resort encompassed Left: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort event lawn.

Below: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort pool.

Images Courtesy of Scottsdale Public Library

EIGHTY FOUR

496 guest rooms, 18 luxury detached casitas, the two-story Gainey House; a variety of restaurants, a ballroom, spa, and fitness center; a swimming pool complex with the largest pool in Arizona at that time; and a series of courtyards that have different characters and available for special events.

The hotel site design orients the floor plan to view the distant mountains directly, while the courtyards, expansive swimming pool, surrounding lake, and golf course are seen in the foreground from each guest room. The overall design and experience are intentional and well-choreographed.

Having witnessed the original construction, enjoyed a few Staycations there, savored the cuisine, attended events in the ballroom, watched their July 4th fireworks show, and relaxed in the palatial swimming pools on hot summer days with a Pina Colada, I can attest to the pleasant and immersive ambiance of this special place in the desert.

The architecture was very contemporary when designed and built. It was a new, refreshing precedent, as most Scottsdale-area resorts in the 1960s and 1970s were more eclectic revival styles such as Spanish Colonial or Pueblo. Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa offered a new luxury alternative in the local hospitality market and was well received then and now by vacationers and residents. Other more modern resorts and hotels followed its lead, including the Andaz Resort, Mountain Shadows Resort, and Hotel Valley Ho expansion.

Despite the large scale of the resort, it is well managed with a floor plan with a series of outreaching multistory guestroom wings that frame lush, landscaped courtyards and building forms that step back in profile to mitigate its volume. The exterior materials palette uses exposed masonry walls of a warm coloration in a coursed ashlar pattern. Large windows are provided with redwood-framed shading devices with a grid of slats. As an accent, a few exposed steel tube beams are painted a cooler turquoise to complement the tan split-face masonry walls. Exterior insulated glazing is framed JULY AUGUST 2025

Image Courtesy of Scottsdale Public Library

with aluminum, giving a factory-applied turquoise finish.

The original resort focused on reflecting the local cultural heritage and theme, as shown in the interior textures, finishes, colors, and art. It also rotated various art exhibits, including those by Native American talents.

Site improvements use a series of tall palm trees along Doubletree Ranch Road to define the Gainey Ranch as a processional feature at the resort’s main vehicular entry and throughout the resort property. The landscaping is lush yet drought-resistant and appropriate for the Sonoran Desert. The hardscape of walks, plazas, and pool decks

explores more creative concrete textures, such as exposed aggregate and stone pavers.

The original hotel architect was Hornberger + Worstell of San Francisco.

Construction was completed in 1989, and the resort celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024. This California architectural firm also designed the more urban W Hotel and some residences in Old Town Scottsdale in 2008.

Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa has recently been rebranded as the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa, the first in Arizona.

The change wanted “to create a vibrant and elevated experience for guests,” reflecting upgrading the existing resort property with a new multi-phased $110 million expansion

and renovation building program. Improvements include renovating all guest rooms, the casitas, and Gainey House; a new 24,000-square-foot ballroom; lobby and main bar enhancements; and event space.

Four new restaurant concepts by celebrity chef Richard Blais are La Zozzona, Tiki Taka, Mesa Centrale, and Grand Vista Lounge. Two renovated pool-side concepts are Sandbar and H2Oasis. The pool complex totals 10 acres and includes 10 swimming pools, a three-story water slide, and a beachside putting green.

Additional amenities include the Spa Avania, which offers a wellness experience and access to jogging paths, bicycle trails, and tennis and pickleball courts.

The Fountain Court, accessed by the main lobby, has been completely renovated.

The expansion and renovation have been designed by WATG, an international firm known for hospitality work, and Hale Collective, a Phoenix-based firm specializing in restaurants.

The Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa has served and supported the Scottsdale community well over the years and set a very high standard for a luxury hospitality property. As new resorts and hotels arrive, we hope they retain this quality and creativity.

Douglas B. Sydnor, FAIA, is Principal at Douglas Sydnor Architect + Associates, Inc. and the author of four Arizona architecture books.

Above: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

Right: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort courtyard.

Below: Gainey Hyatt Scottsdale Resort exterior detail.

Images Courtesy of Author

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ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

Above: Patton’s Sun-Proof Paints umbrella.

Right: John Deere cotton umbrella.

Bottom right: International Harvester umbrella.

DIGGING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES CONSTRUCTION’S SHADY PAST: COLLECTIBLE VINTAGE CANVAS UMBRELLAS BILLY HORNER

I

n keeping with our “Summer Shade - Umbrella Potpourri” themed issue, we’re taking a closer look at vintage canvas umbrellas used to shade operators on older machinery.

To this end, I met with Roman Candelaria, the owner of a vintage 1966 Allis-Chalmers blade, at the House of Refuge project in Mesa. His son, Richard Candelaria, is spearheading the project, featured on page 17.

Roman’s grader may be familiar to readers; we spotlighted it in the Fall 2016 issue when Candelaria and Sharp Creek Contracting generously loaned the machine so I could finish grading under a parking garage.

Although undergoing maintenance, the blade is still equipped with an umbrella standpipe, ideal for mounting a vintage umbrella. Once Roman’s blade is back in service, we plan to set one on it. There’s EIGHTY SIX

something satisfying about pairing old shade with old iron.

I have three of these vintage beauties in my collection. Marion Jordan gifted me these umbrellas while he was clearing out old inventory in his shop. The oldest, dating back to the 1960s, was initially sold by the now-defunct Arizona dealer, Copper State Tractor Co., a story covered in our Sep-Oct 2024 issue.

Vintage contracting umbrellas remain in high demand as collectors in Arizona and nationwide seek them out in barns, auctions, and salvage yards.

During a recent family reunion in Buffalo, New York, my wife, Laura, and I visited several antique shops, including Save The Rags, a charming store on Elmwood Avenue. The proprietors, Frank Fina and Tyler Annalora had two stunning canvas umbrellas from the early 1900s, which they rescued

during one of their cross-country hunts. The umbrellas remained intact, but time has made the fabric and leather-stitched ends brittle, allowing only delicate usage.

Whether you’re restoring vintage machines or collecting canvas umbrellas that once shaded their operators, both still have a place in the sun. However, it may be better to keep at least the umbrellas in a museum-like setting these days, meaning they should be kept under lights in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent further sun damage.

After all, they don’t make those kinds of shade structures anymore. And if you do own one, you undoubtedly have it made in the shade.

JULY AUGUST 2025

Image Courtesy of Morgan North

Above: Tucson’s Borderland Construction Co. operating a Blaw-Knox PF-500 laydown machine in 1985. Copper State Equipment was the Blaw-Knox dealer in Arizona, and provided complimentary umbrellas to companies upon machinery purchase, according to Larry Cox. Left: Roman Candelaria operating his vintage 1966 Allis-Chalmers blade.

Below: Patton’s Sun-Proof Paints umbrella.

Images Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community

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BID RESULTS MONTH APRIL MAY Ray Roads, Ellsworth Rd, Hawes Rd Runway 4R 22L Rehabilitation Sunland Asphalt Sunland Asphalt 4/24/25 5/8/25 $10,695,592 $1,320,294 Gringo White Bear Shared Use Path Phoenix Sonoran Desert Dr Doege Development Hunter Contracting Co. 4/30/25 5/9/25 $1,930,259 $1,281,555 Fools Hollow Waterline Replacement Phase II Santan Freeway Guadalupe Gunner Contracting Michiana Contracting 4/30/25 5/9/25 $920,166 $1,179,920 Taxilane Rehabilitation SR 95 Mohave Drive Right Turn Lane Mel Clark McCormick Construction 5/1/25 5/14/25 $1,099,750 $414,370 Erosion Control Nogales International Airport Saguaro Rosewood Logistics Center Ashton Layton Construction Co. 5/2/25 5/15/25 $502,000 $51,000,000 40th Street Avenue 7E Intersection Mesa Payson Hwy DPE Construction Paveco Inc 5/6/25 5/16/25 $2,156,700 $12,233,415 Senator Highway Improvement Statewide RWIS Asphalt Paving & Supply Roadway Electric LLC 5/8/25 5/16/25 $4,399,540 $1,891,037 Avenue 3E 32nd Street Median Landscape Cordes Junct Lee Blvd Gutierrez Canales Engineering SEMA Construction 5/8/25 5/16/25 $1,432,599 $2,261,826 Show Low Airport Construct Helicopter Pads Globe Lordsburg Yellowjacket Show Low Construction Show Low Construction 5/8/25 5/16/25 $1,197,295 $3,514,965

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Pave Dirt Roads Rummel Construction 5/19/25 $3,339,261 Eager Main St AJP Electric 5/23/25 $362,118 Prescott Paulden Asphalt Paving & Supply 5/23/25 $2,257,592 Phx Globe Santee Granite Construction 5/23/25 $4,689,300 Dredging Services McHood Park Reservoir Arrowhead Environmental 5/28/25 $374,060 Len Roberts Path Repairs Replacement KE&G Construction 5/28/25 $500,000 Circle K Tucson Alexander Building Co. 5/29/25 $1,000,000 (CMAR) North Higley Lift Station Garney 5/29/25 $18,000,000 2nd Avenue UPRR Sewer Rehab Inliner Solutions 5/29/25 $2,143,907

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Bid Awards July-August 1985 DC Speer Const., Phoenix $3.2 Million Curb & Gutter, Guardrail, Signals Widen SR-69 Prescott Valley The Tanner Companies, Phoenix $1 Million Resurfacing 8 Miles SR-85 North of Gila Bend Corn Const., Grand Junction, Colo. $2.2 Million Resurfacing 11 Miles SR-260, SR-273, SR-373 Greer/Eagar V.O. Contracting, Tempe $1.1 Million Prestressed Slab Bridge US 666 Clifton Granite Const., Tucson $2.4 Million Resurfacing 6 Miles I-19 North of Nogales James L. Fann Inc., Prescott $1.1 Million Resurfacing 14 Miles I-40 Near Ash Fork CKC Const., Safford $631.000 Resurfacing 4 Miles Airport Rd. Near Safford Pavement Planning Co., Utah $336,000 Chip Seal Coat 17 Miles SR-389 Fredonia DC Speer Const., Phoenix $275,000 Intersection Reconstruction

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS,THEY MAKE THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE! Aggregate Machinery 480-730-1212 aggregatemachinery.net

P. 90

Dynamic Diesel 602-376-1448 dynamicdieselrepair.com

P. 9

Madco Rentals 480-280-0364 madcorentals.com

P. 44

Southwest Asphalt 480-730-1033 fisherind.com

P. 6

Arizona Materials 602-278-4444 arizonamaterials.com

P. 30

Earnhardt 480-926-4000 nobullfleet.com

P. 24

MDI Rock 602-569-8722 mdirock.com

P.28

Southwest JCB 602-454-9808 SWJCB.com

P. 9

Asphalt Busters 623-936-8800 asphaltbusters.com

P. 69

ECCO Equipment 602-276-2040 eccoequipment.com

P. 30

Metro Engineering & Survey 623-466-6640 metroaz.net

P. 11

Specialty Companies Group 623-582-2385 specialtycompaniesgroup.com

P. 7

Baja Ready Mix 602-503-9391 readymixconcreteaz.com

P. 82

EES 480-809-4687 emergencyenv.com

P. 88

Metro Traffic Control 623-879-0610 metrotrafficcontrol.net

P. 34

SSG Equipment Services 480-404-0446 ssgequipmentservices.com

P. 42

BidJudge 602-456-BIDZ bidjudge.com

P. 26

Elite Sports 602-899-9200 elitesportsbuilders.com

P. 89

NCS 928-567-6585 networxcs.com

P. 46

Sunland Asphalt 602-323-2800 sunlandasphalt.com

P. 11

Bingham Equipment 623-850-6000 binghamequipment.com

P. 38

Empire Sales Center 520-582-2050 empirecat.com/eloyw

P. 46

NECA 602-263-0111 azneca.org

P. 32

Sunstate Equipment 888-456-4560 sunstateequip.com

P. 26

Blueline Grizzly 928-308-1901 bluelinerockgrizzly.com

P. 40

Fisher’s Tools 800-390-4063 fishertools.com

P. 26

New West Oil 602-759-5559 newwestoil.com

P. 83

SW Barricade 602-788-2222 swbarricades.com

P. 79

Borderland 520-623-0900 borderland-inc.com

P. 68

Forrest Rents 602-620-2383 forrestequipmentrentals.com

P. 32

New Western Rentals 623-847-3594 newwesternrentals.comw

P. 68

Trench-Ade 833-384-1176 trench-ade.com

P. IBC

Branco Machinery 480-892-5657 brancomachinery.com

P. IFC

GenTech 800-625-8324 gentechusa.com

P. 69

Pacwest Rentals 480-832-0855 pacwestrentals.com

P. BC

TSR 602-253-3311 tsraz.com

P. 28

Buesing Corp 602-233-3339 buesingcorp.com

P. 14

GFT Ready Mix 602-269-9206 gftmix.com

P. 89

Preach Building Supply 602-944-4594 preachbuildingsupply.com

P. 18

Vermeer Mountain West 480-785-4800 vermeermountainwest.com

P. 34

CalPortland 602-817-6929 calportland.com

P. 34

GoodFellow 623-594-5401 goodfellowcorp.com

P. 78

Purple Wave Auction 866-608-9283 purplewave.com

P. 3

Westroc 480-550-1815

P. 82

CAMS 602-331-5455 cams-az.com

P. 18

Insearch Corp 480-940-0100 insearchcorp.com

P. 40

Reliable Portable Bathrooms 602-601-2222 reliableportablebathrooms.com

P. 5

WillScot 800-782-1500 willscot.com

P. 44

Castle Hot Springs 844-276-8052 castlehotsprings.com

P. 10

Insurica 602-273-1625 insurica.com

P. 38

Reuter Fabrication 602-415-0449 reuterequipment.com

P. 8

WSM 623-936-3300 wsmauctioneers.com

P. 16

CED 602-437-4200 cedphx.com

P. 8

JS Cole 602-633-0990 jscole.com

P. 92, 93

RT Underground rtunderground.com 602-622-6789

P. 34

Cemex 602-416-2652 cemexusa.com

P. 42

KE&G 520-748-0188 kegtus.com

P. 7

S&S Paving 602-437-0818 sspaving.com

P. 42

Curry Fluid Power 602-661-6596 curryfluidpower.com

P. 36

Keystone Concrete 480-835-1579 keystoneconcretellc.com

P. 11

Salt River Materials Group 480-850-5757 srmaterials.com

P. 63

Curry Supply 800-345-2829 currysupply.com

P. 36

Landco Power 480-788-1333 landcorental.com

P. 89

Sharp Creek Contracting 602-437-3040 sharpcreek.com

P. 20

Custom Truck One Source 602-527-4088 customtruck.com

P. 15

Lang, Thal, King & Hanson 480-534-4900 lang.law

P. 78

Sitech Southwest 602-691-7501 sitechsw.com

P. 82

DCS Contracting 480-732-9238 dcscontracting.com

P. 8

Lincoln Carriers 602-849-3164 605-220-9224

P.4

Solterra Materials 602-531-0454 solterramaterials.com

P. 73

DitchWitch 602-437-0351 ditchwitchwest.com

P. 91

LogoWear Express 480-545-5900 logowearexpress.com

P. 9

Sonsray Machinery 844-sonsray sonsraymachinery.com

P. 22

NINETY FOUR

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT BILLY HORNER 602-931-0069 BILLY@ARIZCC.COM

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