By Richard Dyer
Twitter: @RHDyer

The Apache Sentinel’s first issue in June 1959 was four pages, delivered free once a week to Apache Junction and east Mesa homes.

Jump forward 60 years and the newspaper is now known as the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent, with news 24/7 at yourvalley.net with a print edition mailed once a month to residents and businesses in Apache Junction and Gold Canyon.

Sixty years ago, the City of Apache Junction hadn’t yet been incorporated; the Western-movies studio of Apacheland was announced that year to be constructed --- in what is now Gold Canyon; and talk of the famed Lost Dutchman Gold Mine was treasured but not yet feted with Lost Dutchman Days.

The first issue

H.W. Potter was the first managing editor, according to local historian Greg Davis.

Mr. Davis, who has every issue printed of the Apache Sentinel and the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent --- and myriad other publications from the area --- said Al Fenn was the new managing editor 12 issues later, on Vol. 1, No. 13, Sept. 11, 1959.

The first issue --- Vol. 1, No. 1, Friday, June 12, 1959, published by James Brooks --- has 13 front-page stories.

“$2 MILLION PROJECT UNDERWAY” is the all-capped headline with a subhead of “Work begins on new movie set site-resort,” about the 293-acre Apacheland Movie Ranch being constructed seven miles east of Apache Junction.

Near the top, in the middle of the first issue’s front page, is “Hello Apache Junction!” --- the story announcing the new newspaper. “Our aims are simple: We intend to bring to the people of Apache Junction an unbiased reporting of the news of this community. It is our intention to do this without fear or favor,” it states.

“Space in our columns will always be available to support worthy community activities and projects. The same privilege will not be extended to pressure groups or cliques with selfish aims. This newspaper is launched in Apache Junction in the firm conviction that a glorious future lies ahead for this community --- a future in which we hope to share. In short: this is YOUR newspaper. We hope you like it,” it said.

Other stories on the front page were “Apache Jct. Zoners are named,” “Apache Jct. boy seriously burned,” “Legend of ‘Lost Dutchman’ claims gold seeker’s life,” “Bids opened on Apache Trail job,” “Giant motion picture production now at work on Apache Trail,” “Stuckey manager plans move to Apache Junction,” “On schedule,” “Apache little leaguers win last two games,” “Land Co. donates park to county” and “Prisoner tries suicide in Superior jail.”

Page 2 had five stories, including a profile of Ned Cross with the headline “Apache Junction growth no surprise to pioneer.” Arizona Water Co. had an advertisement, as did Apache Investment Co., J.R. Dean of Globe, Valley National Bank, Heron’s Insurance, Southwest Gas Corp., Power Realty stating “Best wishes for success --- congratulations” and Stuckeys Apache Junction proclaiming “Congratulations to the Sentinel.”

Page 3 had a drawing mapping what Apacheland was to look like. There were also three stories --- including “Apache personals,” which listed who was visiting local residents, a family that took a trip to Canyon Lake and a racy joke. Heron’s Insurance had a second advertisement printed along with ones from Budweiser, 76-Union Oil Co., El Paso Dixie Service, Apache Junction Egg and Poultry Ranch, and Valley Ho in Scottsdale.

“J. Edgar Hoover warns public on ‘summer’ crime” and three other stories were on page 4. There were advertisements from Copper Hills Lanes, “Congratulations Apache Sentinel” from Apache Junction Real Estate and Apache Junction Development, Arizona Public Service, “Congratulations and best wishes for success to the Apache Sentinel” from Apache Investment Co., Mountain States Telephone, and Payer Motor Co.

Stories in later 1959 issues included that a Superstition Ho hotel --- later known as the Grand Hotel --- was to be constructed where the Apache Junction focal point is today, at the northeast corner of West and North Apache Trail; and the AJ Bayless supermarket was to open at the northwest corner of the same intersection on the site of the Apache Trail General Store, the latter shown in a 1919 photo.

“Junction township adds new fire truck” was the top story for Friday, Oct. 2, 1959. The first bank to the area was also announced in that issue: “Fast-growing Apache Junction area to get bank, other new businesses,” told about the new fire truck and how First National Bank of Arizona was to open a branch after surveying the area.

1960s

The newspaper is the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce’s oldest official member; the Apache Sentinel become a chamber member in 1960.

The local chamber of commerce was unable to confirm when the Apache Sentinel became a member.

“(W)e do not have chamber records that go back that far and I’ve touched base with several others including the city and Superstition Mountain Museum and have not had any luck in getting further information,” Denise Hart, Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce CEO/president, said.

News in the Apache Sentinel in the 1960s included:

• The Apache Junction Civic Council spawned its first offspring --- the Apache Junction Public Library Association (May 22, 1964, Apache Sentinel).

• The first mention of Lost Dutchman Days --- then a one-day event --- was on the front page of the Nov. 27, 1964, Apache Sentinel.

• The Pinal County Board of Supervisors adopted a tentative budget of $5.2 million in a hearing in Florence (July 23, 1965 Apache Sentinel).

• Apache Junction school enrollment is up 35 over last year, for a total of 411 students on the fourth day of school (Sept. 3, 1965 Apache Sentinel).

• An Apache Trail physician was among Apache Junction Lions and Lionesses who examined the eyes of fourth-graders at Apache Junction schools (Sept. 24, 1965 Apache Sentinel)

• The library board rejected all four bids on construction and asked an architect to trim building costs (Oct. 8, 1965 Apache Sentinel).

• Apache Junction voters rejected incorporation 130-106 on Dec. 3 with 240 votes cast (Dec. 5, 1968 Apache Sentinel).

1970s

Independent Newspapers purchased the Apache Sentinel in 1971, retaining the name Apache Sentinel.

Apache Junction resident Betty Swanson worked for three years as a reporter/photographer at the Apache Sentinel --- from 1978 to 1981.

“The newspaper editor then was Doris Mathews, and she was a colorful gal and knew all of the old-timers and most everyone in town. Jack Smyth used to stop by occasionally to visit with Doris and I. He was a true gentleman and an old-school newspaperman,” Mrs. Swanson said.

“Speaking of old-school, we used typewriters and carbon paper back then to write our stories. Before I left, we had one computer installed in the office and Merry Lewis, our ‘typesetter,’ would type our stories into the sole computer to certain specifications and print it out. We would take the copy with us when Doris, and/or I, would go over and paste up the newspaper --- literally --- at the printer and then the pages would be taken back and printed,” she said.

The Sentinel office in those days was on Apache Trail near the corner of Ironwood and it was much more like an old-fashioned newspaper office, she said.

“People from the community would constantly be dropping in to give us news tips or get the ‘inside scoop’ on something that was going on in town. Also dropping in were gold hunters and prospectors looking for information, or some announced that they had found the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine and wanted us to do a big story,” Mrs. Swanson said.

Apache Junction had an Old West feel, she said.

“Back then, most of these folks carried guns on their hips and at times it could be a bit frightening. If we didn’t seem enthusiastic enough about writing up their ‘find,’ sometimes they could be a little antagonistic,” Mrs. Swanson said.

News covered in the 1970s included:

• The efforts of numerous businessmen in Apache Junction to incorporate the area, making it the 70th city of Arizona, were all for naught Dec. 1 when residents turned thumbs down on the fourth incorporation attempt in A.J. There were 297 votes for incorporation and 710 against (Dec. 9, 1970, Apache Sentinel).

• “Incorporation of Apache Junction, Why and Why Not” was the subject of a public debate, according to the Jan. 18, 1973, issue of the Apache Sentinel.

• A total of 799 people voted in the Apache Junction incorporation election, which failed 331-453, and with 15 spoiled ballots, according to the Sept. 12, 1973, issue of the Apache Sentinel.

• In a special eight-minute meeting, the Apache Junction school board of education and trustees adopted a teachers’ salary schedule for the 1974-75 school year, which included a base salary of $7,300 for a first-year teacher, an increase of $400 from last year (May 22, 1974, Apache Sentinel).

• Plans for Dinosaur Mountain, a large planned community to be on 1,625 acres approximately 7 miles east of Apache Junction, were revealed at the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting; construction was slated to begin in early 1975 and the subdivision was slated to have 14,310 residents (July 3, 1974, Apache Sentinel).

• Four Peaks Elementary School was approved as the name for the new Apache Junction elementary school by the school board of trustees, according to the Dec. 18, 1974, issue of the Apache Sentinel.

• Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce members voted 35-5 in favor of supporting an incorporation effort, according to the Jan. 29, 1975, issue of the Apache Sentinel; incorporation was approved in 1978.

An equestrian issue was one story Mrs. Swanson recalls from her work as a reporter and photographer.

“One of my favorite stories that I did involved a situation where a horsewoman and her daughter were having complaints brought against them by a neighbor. The neighbors complained of the horses causing flies in the neighborhood,” she said.

“When I went out to interview both sides, I found the neighbors had recently fertilized their rose bushes with steer manure. It was this incident that gave rise to the formation of the Superstition Horsemen’s Association, which is still going strong today and standing up for horsemen’s rights and the welfare of area horses. This group has helped ensure that to this day, Apache Junction is still a horse-friendly community,” Mrs. Swanson said.

1980s

Independent Newspapers changed the Apache Sentinel’s name to the Apache Junction Independent in 1983.

News in the 1980s included:

• A man charged with a brutal stabbing of a Circle K employee was released without bail from jail in Apache Junction three weeks earlier, apparently by a bureaucratic foul-up that no one will admit to (Jan. 19-25, 1983, Apache Sentinel).

• AJ voters, by an overwhelming 2,108-313 margin, rejected a proposed airport in the city general election, according to the May 18-24, 1983, (Apache Junction Independent).

• Two organizers of a now-defunct City Council recall election are circulating initiative petitions to dissolve the City of Apache Junction (Sept. 19-25, 1984, Apache Junction Independent).

• Sixteen AJ Junior High School students were detained by police officers for questioning about marijuana use (Dec. 12, 1984, Apache Junction Independent).

• For the next month, the Apache Junction City Council will have an enviable task --- trying to decide what should be done with $847,000 in surplus funds accumulated since incorporation in 1979 (Feb. 1-7, 1984, Apache Junction Independent).

1990s

Apache Junction resident Faith Kozick worked at the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent as an advertising consultant in the mid-1980s to the 1990s.

“I believe I started with the Independent in 1985. My job was to contact business people and offer them the opportunity to place the best ads possible in our favorite newspaper. I would take the info to our production department and those talented people then took the info and turned it into a great ad,” she said.

“There are times when I dream I am taking care of my advertisers,” Mrs. Kozick said.

“It was such fun. When I would walk in with a smile on my face, they would smile in return and we would talk before taking care of business,” she recalled.

Lost Dutchman Days and its associated events are a fond memory, she said.

“Some of my favorite memories include the parade every year, riding on the float with my co-workers. Then there was my ‘goodbye party’ just before my retirement in 1995 after having the best job in my life,” Mrs. Kozick said.

News in the 1990s included:

• Two regional landfill sites south of Apache Junction will be discussed at a public meeting in Queen Valley (Jan. 13-19, 1993, Apache Junction Independent).

• A former Apache Junction High School teacher was scheduled to go before the State Board of Education because of a complaint filed by the local school district (Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 1993, Apache Junction Independent).

• Property owners have less than two weeks to buy into a $200 hook-up for a proposed wastewater treatment system in Apache Junction before the cost mushrooms to $2,200, (May 19-25, 1993, Apache Junction Independent).

• Only 26 of the 2,300 property owners who have petitioned to be in the sewer district cast a ballot, but all were unanimous in voting “yes” for expansion (June 29-July 5, 1994, Apache Junction Independent).

• Apache Junction’s mayor was arrested but not formally accused of a crime in allowing her fugitive son to live with her and her husband, police said (Dec. 14-20, 1994, Apache Junction Independent).

2000s

News in the 2000s included:

• Apache Junction and Gold Canyon was to become the home of the inaugural Lost Dutchman Marathon in January 2002, according to the “Destination Apache Junction/Gold Canyon 2001” publication of the Apache Junction Independent.

• The state facilities board took the first step in approving a second high school for the Apache Junction Unified School District, according to the Jan. 28, 2003, issue of the Apache Junction Independent.

• The Gold Canyon Incorporation Committee planed to ask the City of Apache Junction in November if it could hold an election to gauge support for becoming a city, according to the Oct. 5, 2004, issue of the Apache Junction Independent.

• The Apache Junction City Council voted to not take action on a General Plan amendment calling for a 40-square-mile expansion of its planning area, according to the Dec. 14, 2004, issue of the Apache Junction Independent.

• The Apache Junction Unified School District’s override extension was denied by voters Nov. 7 (Nov. 27, 2007, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent)

• Single-gender classrooms are making their debut in classrooms at Desert Shadows Middle School, 801 W. Southern Ave., according to the Jan. 16, 2007, issue of the Apache Junction Independent.

• A rezoning request for 1353 S. Vista Road for a Right Away Disposal materials recovery facility, which could be the first step in establishing a curbside recycling service, was met with community opposition during the Oct. 28 Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. (Nov. 4, 2008, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent)

• The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission on April 28 unanimously voted to make a recommendation to Apache Junction City Council to approve 13 proposals regulating horse-boarding operations within city limits (June 2, 2009, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

2010s

The Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent newspaper earned top honors at the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet in January 2014, winning the Small Business of the Year Award for its contributions to the chamber and support of community events and activities.

Other news in the 2010s included:

• Pinal County Sheriff’s Office investigators are seeking information regarding the alleged attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl the morning of Jan. 20 from the 6000 block of South Russet Way in Gold Canyon (Jan. 27, 2010, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• Services for the Perry children --- Morgan, 9, Logan, 8 and Luke, 6, all of Gold Canyon --- who died in the plane crash into the Superstition Mountains Nov. 23, are 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, 6640 S. Kings Ranch Road in Gold Canyon. (Dec. 7, 2011, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• In order to deal with a backlog, the Apache Junction Police Department has created a cold case unit to review violent felonies, missing persons and runaway juveniles (Sept. 26, 2012, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• Two little league coaches are accused of cheating on the league draft and have been asked to step down (April 24, 2013, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• City officials want to know if residents would support an increase in the city sales tax to pay for improvements to its main thoroughfare, which they say is “dire need” of help (Aug. 27, 2014, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent)

• The City of Apache Junction Public Works Department has retrofitted the street lights at the Apache Trail and Phelps Drive intersection to new light-emitting diode, or LED, fixtures (May 27, 2015, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• When the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to accept Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson’s resignation, the settlement agreement required him to work until June 30, 2017 (Dec. 28, 2016, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• Through law enforcement and education programs in the schools, Apache Junction Police Department is fighting drugs in the community (November 2017, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• Pinal County is appealing an Arizona Tax Court judge’s decision that a half-cent transportation sales tax approved by voters in November violates state law (September 2018, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent).

• City employees have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to municipal vehicles over the last five years, records show (April 2019, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent)

Then and now

When Mrs. Swanson worked as a reporter and photographer 1978-81, there was a “solid sense of community,” she said.

“Back then, Apache Junction was ‘wild and wooly’ when compared to the city of today. Being close-by the big city, but a little remote, unincorporated and in Pinal County, people came out to AJ to ‘do their own thing,’ and sometimes that involved something illegal like setting up chop shops and drug dealing. There were also, of course, lots of law-abiding folks who were just independent souls and, yet, there was a solid sense of community, some of which has been lost over the last 40 years as development occurred and the area’s population increased,” Mrs. Swanson said.

For Mrs. Kozick, who worked in advertising in the mid-1980s to the -1990s, it was the change with the frequency of the news delivery.

“I never thought my full-page newspaper would in turn go to a magazine paper then a once-a-month paper. The blog every day is a great addition,” she said of the e-mailed daily news brief.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia, Inc.. USA, since 1987. Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. He also is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows