the 2011 PDF

Special 125 th Anniversary Edition
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
August 2011
The Constitution of Babbitt
Ranches highlights the characteristics and values by which the
organization operates. Articles
of the Constitution can be found
correlating with the news stories
in the Babbitt Times Review.
C LEARNING—UNDERSTANDING w JOINING—SHARING w BECOMING A PART c
More than 500 Babbitts
Recognize125th Anniversary
Photo courtesy Tom Alexander Photography
Article II
Conversation
Council Creed
Section 5.
Our character will be
demonstrated through
our patience, kindness,
humility, respectfulness,
selflessness, forgiveness,
honesty and resilience.
Commemorating 125 years since the five
Babbitt Brothers of Cincinnati made Flagstaff the hub of what would become one of the
West’s largest cattle ranching operations, 507
Babbitts posed for this picture in front of the
Elks Lodge on Saturday, July 9.
“The venue was great with the view of the
Peaks in the background,” said Melanie Dorn,
one of the reunion organizers, of David Babbitt lineage. Her great grandfather was Joseph
Babbitt, David’s son and her great grandmother
was Viola Babbitt. “That, for me, is the sight of
home. The mountain is such a great reminder of
our heritage, but the reunion was all about the
people; watching people meet each other, enjoy
each other and share memories.”
On Sunday, July 17 a color photo full of Babbitts
graced the front page of the Arizona Daily Sun.
Reporter Betsey Bruner documented the gathering that drew family members from all over the
country. Many Verkamps and Shoeneys traveled
all the way from Cincinnati, and some George
Babbitt family members traveled from as far as
Connecticut and Florida.
Jim E. Babbitt declared, “Oh, it’s just
wonderful to have the whole big family
together.” Jim is the youngest of five in the Paul
J. Babbitt and Frances Perry family, of C.J.
Babbitt lineage.
“The best part was checking people in at La
Fonda for dinner,” said Claire West, Dorn’s
mother, also the granddaughter of Viola Babbitt.
A Building for the Generations
By James E. Babbitt
In the fall of 1888, work commenced at the corner of
San Francisco Street and Church Street (now Aspen
Avenue) on a new building to house the mercantile
business operated by the Babbitt brothers. The brothers had arrived in Flagstaff in 1886, first establishing
the CO Bar Ranch, then starting a hardware and lumberyard in downtown Flagstaff.
The new building, intended to house a general merchandise store, measured 30’ x 70’ and was constructed from local Moenkopi sandstone, quarried
a mile east of downtown. The contractor was local
builder and mason Ed Whipple. The building was
designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, with distinctive arched doors and windows,
and a decorative pressed metal cornice gracing the
roof line. The second floor of the building included
offices used by the various Babbitt enterprises. Upon
completion, the second floor also served as a temporary courthouse for the newly created Coconino
County, and then as an opera house and community
meeting space.
The mercantile operation prospered, and the building was expanded, first in 1891, then several times
again after the turn of the twentieth century. By 1916,
the Babbitt Brothers Building housed a bewildering collection of commercial departments, including
dry goods, men’s and women’s clothing, books and
stationery, hardware, sporting goods, groceries,
meats and fish, fruits and vegetables, furniture, and
a large Indian curio room selling Navajo rugs, Hopi
pottery and silver, Apache and Pima baskets, and
Pendleton blankets. Also included in the building were electric light, heating, and ice plants.
One writer described the building as “the largest
general merchandise store in Arizona.”
The building continued to evolve through the years
as the lumber and hardware departments moved into
separate outlying facilities, and the grocery department
developed into the freestanding “Thriftway Supermarkets.” By the 1970s the Babbitts’ Department Store
offered clothing and furniture departments as well as
housewares, cosmetics, jewelry, shoes and gifts.
The building continues to be a vital part of downtown Flagstaff.
Building continued on page 10
Jim Babbitt stands in front of the Babbitt Brothers Building that houses a sports and camping store, apartments and company offices.
“I got to hug everybody. It was wonderful. And
even the relatives you hadn’t met felt like relatives, especially the Verkamps. There are certain
traits in the family and you could just see them in
so many people. You knew they were yours.”
The Cincinnati Verkamps funded the original
ranching venture. Three Verkamp sisters married
three of the original five brothers. David married
Emma Catherine, Charles (C.J.) married Mary
and Edward married Matilda.
“The Babbitts of Flagstaff always remember
their maternal family and continue to honor the
maternal heritage and names,” said Dorn. “There
are as many names associated with Babbitts as
there are women who have married them.”
500 Babbitts continued on page 11
Babbitt Ranches
Overview
“If we could first know
where we are and whither
we are tending,
we could better judge
what to do and
how to do it.”
stock ranch, why was the
return on investment so
low? If we were such a welltending livestock operation,
how come the environmental community wanted to
rid the land of livestock? If
we were such a well-tend—Abraham Lincoln
ing livestock operator, why
In 1991 this quote were there so many issues
inspired our discussions and conflicts with recreregarding the future of ational users and hunters?
Babbitt Ranches. It was How come we felt boxed in
a time swirling with many as a group of owners, as
ideas, opinions, wants and a livestock industry and as
needs.
Some
a community?
of this swirling
Although, some
included efforts
years since 1991
Article IX
to remove livedid feel clouded
stock from the
Priceless
with
frustragrazing lands of
tion
and
uncerValues
the Southwest
tainty, it was
Section 1.
with the theme
the deliberate,
Cattle free by Organization thorough and
‘93.
There
comprehensive
Babbitt Ranches,
were pressures founded in 1886, is rich discussions and
to
maximize in history and strength- genuine efforts
real estate val- ened through relation- to articulate and
ships. For as many as
ues by selling six generations, owners, define the comranch lands as employees and their fam- munity of Bab40-acre devel- ilies have shared in this bitt
Ranches
opments. Rec- history and have forged a and its future
deep commitment to the
reational activi- health of the land and the that focused us
ties and the
organization.
on who we are,
hunter demand
what we do,
to
increase
how we do it
big game populations put and why we do it.
added pressures on open Areas of conversation
spaces and grasslands. In included: The Constituaddition, there were the tion of Babbitt Ranches,
100-year-old inner work- Land Ethics, Tomorrow’s
ings of a third and fourth Agriculture and Land
generation family business. Use, The Multiple BotThere was much about tom Line, Generations—
Babbitt Ranches that we Sustainability
Sciences
understood such as the cat- Program, The Landsward
tle, the horses, the grazing Institute and our need
rotations and water infra- to become appropriately
structure. Babbitt Ranches aware of our neighboring
was a cattle ranch with regional land owners.
much of the daily routine These conversations ultiof the livestock operations mately defined Babbitt
well forged and in place Ranches as much more
for quite some time. Abra- than a livestock operation.
ham Lincoln would have Babbitt Ranches is a land
certainly agreed, in these uses company, harnessed
areas, Babbitt Ranches with a sense of responsibilknew where it was and that ity, obligation and awareit was well tending.
ness.
Of course, there were We are now better able to
many areas not so well judge what we do and how
understood and defined. we do it. — BC
For example, if we were
such a well-tending live-
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 2
August 2011
Four Tenderfeet Came West in 1886; Stayed, and
“Grew Up with The Country”
Babbitt Brothers Went Into Cattle Business,
Later Founded Trading Company
By PLATT CLINE
Excerpts and photo borrowed from The Coconino Sun, Friday, July 7, 1939
Looking For a
Cattle Ranch
David and William spent
their time, for several
months, constantly looking
As a result of the decision
for the range and herd of
of the brothers, David Babcattle that would measure
bitt had left Cincinnati in
up to their desires.
1885, and had visited cattle ranges in Montana and
First Cattle
Wyoming. Not finding just
the type of opportunity the
Purchased
brothers desired, he had The Babbitt brothers
returned to Cincinnati. The made a deal for their first
brothers eventually decided herd of cattle, over 1000
on the northern part of Ari- head, in early May. On
zona Territory as the most May 17, the weekly newslikely location.
paper, the ancestor of the
At the time of the arrival of The Coconino Sun, edited
David and William Babbitt by George H. Tinker, had
in Flagstaff in 1886, the this to say: “Just as we
Tonto Basin cattlemen’s- are going to press, we are
sheepmen’s war raging; informed that Messrs. HosApache Indian raids were a
ler and Warren have sold to
constant menace; the counBabbitt Bros. of Cincinnati,
try was infested with stock
something over 1000 head
rustlers, necessitating that
of cattle.” The cattle were
a stockman have a wary
of the “Boot” brand. The
eye and a quick gun hand;
week following the purchase
and the Civil War was just
of the first herd of stock,
20 years in the past; nearer
the newspaper expanded
to the people of that day
on the article of the previthan the World War is to
us of 1939. Flagstaff was ous week: “The Babbitt
tough, and the surround- Bros. of Cincinnati have
ing country was tougher; purchased from Messrs.
only men of courage and Hosler and Warren about
determination could hope 1200 head of stock, conto operate cattle and man- sisting of 800 cows, 35 fine
age to get most of them grade bulls, 200 two-year
olds, and about 200 yearto market.
The brothers had a letter lings. The cattle purchased
of introduction to Dr. Bran- are all first-class stock, and
nen, a cousin of the owner of in fine condition. We are
the Brannen Mercantile Co. informed by a prominent
The Babbitts called on Dr. stockman that he considers
Brannen upon their arrival, the herd one of the best in
and in a short time had this vicinity, and considers
met most of the business that the gentlemen have
men of the town, includ- made a cheap and exceling John Lind, bookkeeper lent purchase.” Thus the
and general manager of beginning of a business
the Brannen store. He was that was to spread far and
to become, later, a trusted wide, that was to operate
employee of the Babbitts, literally dozens of business
after the establishment of establishments, that was to
the great trading company, employ hundreds of people
still years in the future. The in northern Arizona in years
brothers took up then tem- to come.
porary residence with Dr. The cattle were all reBrannen, in a small frame branded with the “C-Obuilding standing back of Bar” brand, which is still
the Bank hotel.
in use by Babbitts to this
day. It was composed of
the initial letters of “C”
incinnati, “O” hio, as a
tribute to the home the
boys had left behind. This
first herd of cattle were run
in the Little Colorado river
country, Charles J. Babbitt
recollects.
In May, 1886, Charles,
21, arrived in Flagstaff to
join brothers in the new
venture. From that time on,
and for almost half a century, he was to be actively
engaged in the stock business. His job in later years,
with his brother William,
was to take care of the livestock interests of the notyet-born Babbitt Brothers
Trading Co. He states that
the first five years he was
in Arizona, he spent practically every minute on the
range with the stock.
Looking for
the Range
Constantly looking the
country over for better
range and water, it was natural that the brothers should
become acquainted with
Al Grady and Jack Smith,
partners in the stock business, who controlled some
excellent land and water
rights, the latter consisting of a spring that is now
the main water supply for
Flagstaff. In company with
Grady and Smith, David
and William set out on a
visit to the famous spring,
a trip more or less beset
with hardships, only to find
it covered with a blanket of
snow over seven feet deep.
The party camped in the
vicinity of the spring. Jack
Smith shot a bear, and two
mountain sheep were seen
by the boys. A writer in the
The Coconino Sun many
years later wrote of the
incident, as remembered by
David Babbitt.
“Camp was pitched, but in
A Yellow Rose
The presentation of a single yellow rose is a tradition of Babbitt Ranches.
This tradition allows us to reflect and to embrace our passed loved ones
and to share this embrace with their families.
A Yellow Rose
Its gentle beauty, reminds us of the love our family and friends have for us…
Its soft yellow hue symbolizes the hope and joy that comes with tomorrow’s sunrise…
Its loveliness lives on in our hearts
and reminds us of those who have wonderfully graced our lives
and who will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Howell, a Life Well-Lived
Harvey Howell loved being a cowboy, considered his
career a privilege, and called it an honor to have spent
nearly 40 years running cattle, breaking horses and
being part of Western ranching history.
Howell began working for Babbitt Ranches in the 1960s
after serving in the U.S. Marines. He and his wife Janet
raised their sons, Todd and Dallas, at Redlands Camp
on the Cataract Ranch.
“It was a wonderful life to live with my wife and boys on
Babbitt Ranches,” said Howell in 2008.
Sitting on a head of cattle, with 30-mile-an-hour winds
pounding him with red dirt and visibility so bad he couldn’t
see his hands, he would ask himself, “Why do I love it?”
Then, he’d answer, “I don’t know why, but I love it.”
Howell enjoyed the roundups, the roping, the branding
and the wildlife, but especially the friendships.
Article III
Cowboy
Essence
Section 15.
Competitive
Greatness
Be at your best when
your best is needed.
Enjoy a difficult
challenge.
This picture was made about 1918 upon the occasion of a visit Edward (left) of Cincinnati, paid his four brothers in Flagstaff.
From left to right: Edward, who has been engaged in the practice of law in Cincinnati for many years; Charles J., president of
Babbitt Brothers Trading Co., David (1858-1920); George (1860-1920); and William 1863-1930). Charles, David, George
and William starting with a tiny hardware business and a few cattle, built one of the largest business firms in Arizona, Babbitt
Brothers Trading Company, which today does over $4,000,000 worth of business a year.
the morning the first thing sequence the party made
to greet their eyes was all haste to the Tewksbury
another blanket of snow ranch, which they found to
that had fallen during the be in more or less a state
night. Breakfast being of of siege.”
course in order, wood was The Indian scare finally
gathered, the coffee made subsided, but about this
ready, in fact all prepara- time the climax came in
Tewksbury-Graham
tions made for a hearty the
meal, when it was discov- feud, one of the bloodiered that in the whole party est chapters in the history
only a match and a half stood of the state. The Babbitt
between them and hunger, brothers were not actively
and that Mr. Dave Babbitt concerned in this warfare,
but were right
happened
to
on the edge of
possess those.”
it all during the
“After
much
Article III time that it was
cajoling
on
at its worst.
the part of Al
Cowboy
“The Pleasant
Grady he was
Essence
Valley country
entrusted with
Section 1.
looked
pretty
the one whole
match.
True Industriousness promising for
to life, the first
There is no substitute the cow busimatch wept out, for work. Worthwhile ness,” related
results come from
Mr. David Baband then only
hard work and
bitt in later
the half match
careful planning.
years,
“and
remained—
it wasn’t long
truly a critical
before we had
situation with
the prospect of no break- made negotiations for some
fast if the remaining half land, and were really fullmatch failed to function. fledged cattlemen.”
Pleading on the part of Al The more prominent catGrady did not seem to do tlemen of the Flagstaff secany good this time, for his- tion at that time included
tory records that Mr. Bab- Acker & Walker, Lot Smith,
bitt kept the match and lit Al Doyle, John Marshall,
it, only after a careful gath- the Black Brothers, Henry
ering of all the inflammable Ashurst, and John Clark.
material to be obtained.
The half match in the hands
The “A-One-Bar”
of Mr. Babbitt seemed to
Cattle Co.
realize its responsibilities,
and a roaring camp fire The largest cattle comand a good breakfast for all pany in the vicinity of
Flagstaff at that time was
hands resulted.”
the “A-One-Bar,” the Arizona Cattle Company, with
A “Pleasant”
headquarters in Fort Valley.
Valley Visit
The company was being
A May, 1886, issue of the “ram-rodded” by Captain
The Coconino Sun, records B. B. Bullwinkle. In the
that the Babbitt Brothers, early ‘80’s, and until 1885,
accompanied by a friend, set it had been managed by
out in search of new range John W. Young, son of the
in the Pleasant Valley coun- famous Brigham Young,
try, a trip which proved to president of the “Mormon”
be more exciting than had Church. John Young, with
been bargained for. Riding a company of lumberjacks,
into the beautiful green val- had built the fort in what
ley, known as Pleasant Val- later became “Fort Valley”
ley, bordering the Apache for protection against the
reservation, they were met Indians, while they were
by a man riding toward engaged in cutting ties on
them rapidly, warning them the slopes of the San Franthat the Apaches were on cisco Mountains for the
a raid, and that everyone Atlantic and Pacific Railwas seeking refuge at the road Company. Following
nearby Tewksbury ranch. the completion of the rail“In their conversation on road in 1883, the fort was
the way to the Tewksbury turned into headquarters
ranch,” a writer in the The for the big cattle company,
Coconino Sun several years which was financed by a
ago says, “it was learned number of wealthy eastthat their new found friend erners. Bullwinkle, whom
was named Sigsby. As the old-timers described as an
party passed a rather dilap- “original” had at one time
idated cabin they made been fire chief in Chicago
inquiry from their guide as for the insurance compato why the occupants were nies. He was a man who
not warned of the coming liked fast horses; riding his
danger, and were informed Kentucky racing stock from
that the place belonged to Fort Valley to Flagstaff,
the Grahams. Their guide it was his pleasure to ride
went on to say that the with a watch in one hand,
Tewksbury and Graham striving to cut the time of
factions were at war with the ride to the lowest poseach other, and inasmuch sible point. Charles J. Babas Sigsby was a Tewks- bitt remarks with a smile,
bury sympathizer, it did not that Bullwinkle’s training
seem quite in order to stop as a fire chief, who “had
at the enemy’s stronghold. to get there first” was the
From the way Sigsby talked probable reason for the exthe brothers gathered the fireman’s continual hurry to
impression that he was a get wherever he was going.
bit more afraid of the Gra- Bullwinkle was killed in
hams than he was of the 1888 when a fast horse he
Apaches. The Grahams in was riding to Flagstaff to
this feud were the leaders meet the “Hashknife” ramof the cattle faction and the rod, Captain Warner, fell
Tewksbury represented the with him near the western
sheep interests. As a con- limits of town.
Following the death of
Bullwinkle, the owners of
the famous “A-One-Bar”
decided to go out of business. Accordingly, that fall
they shipped 19,000 head
of cattle and the Babbitt
brothers found themselves
deeper in the cattle business than ever.
The Families
The five Babbitt brothers, including E. J., whom
we have not so far mentioned in this story, were
the children of David and
Catherine Babbitt. Following a common school
education in Cincinnati,
their home, the five brothers attended St. Xavier’s
(Jesuit) college in that city.
Oldest of the brothers
was David, born in 1858.
He was married in 1886 to
miss Emma Verkamp, sister of the wives of Charles
and E. J. Babbitt, and also
a sister of O. J. Verkamp,
manager today of Babbitts’
Flagstaff curio department.
To this union were born six
children: Raymond G., at
present secretary-treasurer
of Babbitt Bros. Trading
Co.; Edwin D., proprietor of the E. D. Babbitt
Motor Company, Flagstaff;
Joseph R., vice-president
of the Trading Co.; David
M. Jr., who died in 1929;
Elaine, who died in 1938;
and Gertrude, who makes
her home in Flagstaff. Mr.
Babbitt died in 1929.
George Babbitt Sr. was
born in 1860. He was married in 1887 to Philomena
Wessell, of Cincinnati. The
five children born to them
were: Bertram H., prominent sheepman of the Flagstaff section; Marguerite
(Mrs. Thos. McCullough,
of Flagstaff); Herbert, proprietor of the Herb Babbitt garage in Flagstaff;
George Jr., Flagstaff postmaster; and Eunice (Mrs.
Ike Veazey). Mr. Babbitt
died in 1920.
William Babbitt was
born 1863. He was married in 1914 to Elizabeth
Roach. Death came to him
in Phoenix in 1930. Mrs.
Babbitt makes her home in
Flagstaff.
Charles J. Babbitt was born
in 1865. He was married in
1891 to Mary Verkamp, of
Cincinnati. Four children
were born to the couple:
Helen, who resides in Los
Angeles; Paul, an attorney
in Los Angeles; James E.,
Arizona State Senator, and
an officer of Babbitt Bros.
Trading Co.; and John, also
connected with the Flagstaff establishment.
Edward J. Babbitt, who
has practiced law in Cincinnati for many years, was
born in 1868. He was a
Senator in Arizona’s Territorial Legislature in the
‘90s, also probate judge
for a time. When he was
a member of the legislature he rode on the first
train between Phoenix and
Prescott. Later he returned
to Cincinnati, where he is
still active in the practice
of law. He was married to
Matilda Verkamp. Their
three children, all of Cincinnati, are: Mary, Elizabeth, and E. J. Jr.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
August 2011
page 3
Servis Serves Northern Arizona as Brand Inspector and
Photographer
Randy Servis has looked at “I work for the state vetBabbitt Ranches from sev- erinarian and am the hands
eral different perspectives. and eyes in the field collecting samples for
As a photogradisease or unexpher, it’s not so
plained deaths.”
much the cows,
Anytime anihorses and cowArticle III
mals are moved,
boys he’s focusCowboy
change hands or
ing on, it’s more
Essence
go to slaughter,
the lifestyle, the
they are physieveryday tasks
Section 7.
cally examined.
and the still life
Alertness
“We look for
of a ranch when
Observe constantly.
communicable
the dust settles.
Stay open minded.
diseases
like
Servis is capBe eager to learn
tuberculoturing the ranch
and improve.
sis. We also
in a way that
check for canhasn’t
been
cers and shipdone
before,
documenting the biology, ping fever. We really don’t
wildlife and past presence see any of this on Babof occupants in the old bitt Ranches. They have
well maintained, healthy
camps.
“There’s a haunting quality animals.”
in some of the images,” he Servis also works to keep
says, “and somehow also a foreign animal diseases out
comfortable, lived-in feel.” of U.S. herds. “There are
Servis is looking forward 17 of these diseases and
to publishing the photos in they can affect cattle, peothe future. But currently ple and the economy. Hoofhe is wearing another hat and-mouth disease is one
regarding Babbitt Ranches, that we watch out for. It can
as the northern Arizona hitchhike on clothing and is
brand inspector for the tremendously contagious.
state’s Department of Agri- In some countries it has
culture.This role involves decimated the beef industhe health and welfare of try. Hundreds of thousands
the ranch animals, along of animals have had to be
with the prevention of theft. put down.”
Photo courtesy J Randy Servis Photography
The Legacy Continues: At Tin House, 14 “outriders” (cowboys) drive 1,000 head of Hereford steers to pens for fall shipping.
Servis has years of experience training him for the
law enforcement component
of the job. “Cattle rustling
still exists,” he says.
For 21 years, he served
at the Coconino County
Sheriff’s Office. He started
as a jail deputy and then
became a patrolman in
Flagstaff rising through
the ranks as corporal and
sergeant. Sheriff Joe Richards appointed him as
ranch deputy. And during
his last five years with the
CCSO, Servis patrolled the
most remote areas of the
county looking for missing
and stranded people as the
Search and Rescue coordinator.
Servis has known Babbitt
Ranches in different capacities over the years. As a
young man he worked as a
cowboy on the neighboring
Michelbach Ranch. “We
would help each other out,
moving cattle, gathering
cattle and finding strays.”
The Servis family has
been in the horse business
for five generations, tracing back to an 1850s farm
in upstate New York. “We
raised horses for hunting and jumping.” Servis’s
father and grandfather
worked for the Forest
Service.
After growing up in
Springerville, Servis moved
to Flagstaff in 1975. He
has known Vic Howell, Bill
Cordasco and many other
Babbitt family members
since his high school days.
When he met his wife,
Dena, she worked as CCSO
patrol secretary.Servis had
to ask the sheriff’s permission to marry her. “At the
time there was a policy that
married couples could not
both work in the department. Sheriff Joe changed
the policy for us.”
The two are living in
Flagstaff and raising two
children.
Photo courtesy J Randy Servis Photography
Round Pen at Savage: This abandoned camp on the east side of Spider Web Ranch witnesses a storm brewing over the Peaks.
A Cowboy’s Cowboy, a Visit with Victor Howell
It’s 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning and Victor
“Vic” Howell is teaching
his 4-year-old grandson,
Thomas, how to rope. Like
his father, Babbitt Ranches
foreman Bill Howell, Vic
raised his daughters and
now his grandchildren with
skills that come with growing up on a ranch.
“Dad would say, ‘You’re
gonna learn how to rope,
you’re gonna learn how to
ride and you’re gonna learn
how to cowboy. You don’t
have to do it for a lifetime,
but you’re gonna learn how
to do this stuff.’”
Now filling his father’s
boots, Vic has been Babbitt Ranches’ foreman since
1991. Following a long line
of tradition, Howell’s father,
grandfather and great
grandfather have been the
oldest sons of cowboys
who became cowboys. His
uncle, Harvey, took care
of the Cataract Ranch. Vic
says his father, Bill, was
“one of the most versatile
cowboys there ever was.”
With only 5 percent of the
nation working on farms
and ranches, and basically
producing the country’s
food supply, Howell says
it’s not easy to find help.
“The best person to get to
work on a ranch is somebody who grew up on a
ranch. But at the same
time there are people who
want to work for the Babbitts. They are well known
and have a good reputation.
There are lots of employees
who are lifers.”
Vic is one of those people.
From age 2, he’s grown up
on Babbitt Ranches, first at
Redlands Camp and, when
he was ready to begin
school, the family lived at
Cedar Ranch in the summertime and Spider Web
in the winter. He and his
brother and sister rode a was Tuffy.
bus an hour each way to “I was breaking him as a
school for 12 years.
15-year-old. I had ridden
About the time most kids Tuffy 20 times the year
get their first bike, kids on before and got bucked off
a ranch get their first horse, 20 times. Dad put a ride
Vic explains. “I started rid- on him one afternoon so
ing by myself at about age things would go better the
7. That’s what we did on the next morning. We got out
weekends and every chance about a mile from the house
we got. As a little bitty kid, and for sure he was gonna
Dad would have us doing buck me off. It was on a
summer projects. We’d go road with deep ditches on
around checking waters. the side. It was gonna hurt.
There were days I would Dad rode into him and hit
call ‘pickup days.’ That’s my horse in the shoulder
when we would
so he wouldn’t
go with him all
buck so hard. I
day long. When
was like, ‘That
Article III was
I got tired, I’d
a good job,
Cowboy
sleep in the seat
Dad!’”
of the pickup.”
Growing up,
Essence
Howell recalls
Section 12. Vic didn’t have
his first big
plans to make
Ranch Spirit
cattle drive. It
a career out of
A genuine considerinvolved movbeing a cowboy.
ation for others fosters
ing some 500 an eagerness to sacrifice “It’s God’s will I
head of cattle personal interests and guess.”
14 miles when glory for the betterment As a young
of others. It is not
he was just 9
man while workabout I but We.
years old.
ing on a ranch
“Dad
didn’t
near Holbrook,
have much of a
John
Babbitt
crew around. He was tak- asked Vic to be the ranch
ing dry cows (cows without manager in training. He
calves) to Kendrick Park. joined Babbitt Ranches and
We went by a watering continued to earn his bachdrinker called Green Gate elor’s degree at Northern
and the cattle wanted to go Arizona University.
to that water. There were These days the biggest
other cattle watering there challenge Howell faces
and my dad was trying to as ranch foreman is the
get my attention not to let drought. “Probably the
the cattle get mixed up with worst years were 2002 and
the other cattle. He said, ‘03. It seems like the spring
‘The next time you hear me wind blew and it didn’t rain
hollering like that, come up at all. There was a drought
and see what’s going on and all over the West. We were
help the man next to ya!’” feeding the cattle all year
The long difficult day long and the waters were
started at 4:30 in the morn- drying up. We started making, but they managed to get ing phone calls looking for
the job done. Vic remem- pasture. Billy (Cordasco)
bers being too tired to eat and I got in the pickup
dinner that night.
and found some grass in
As he got older, there Douglas.”
have been few horses that With thousands of cattle
Vic couldn’t break, but one to move and 50 to a truck,
shipping becomes a huge
project. “It’s a big job, but
it’s doable. It’s better than
having to sell the cattle and
then replace them.”
During the fall, Howell
spends most his days on
horseback moving cows
among some 30 or more
different pastures. Cattle
drives can include up to
1,200 head of cattle covering ten miles a day.
“One of the biggest challenges is trailing cattle in
the trees. You need to know
how to cut across the forest.
Sometimes the cattle don’t
want to move, so you have
to know how many guys
you need to move them and
the proper technique to get
the cows walking.”
Howell’s day can require
gathering up stray cows
from neighboring ranches,
hauling water to dry tanks,
assessing range conditions
or fixing engines in ranch
vehicles.
In the meantime, as Howell readies young Thomas
and his pony for the barrelracing event in the Arizona
Cowpunchers’ Reunion, he
remembers why he loves
the cowboy lifestyle.
“I enjoy seeing God’s creation in all the seasons.
With spring comes the
grass and the calves are
born. In summer the rains
come. In the fall it’s time
to wean the calves. A lot
of people would probably
dream of getting to do what
I do for a living. I have been
blessed that way.”
Vic and his wife, Jamie,
met when she visited Spider
Web Ranch. Two of their
daughters live on Babbitt
Ranches, one lives on the
Big Boquillas Ranch. They
have seven grandchildren
and are expecting another
this fall.
Monginis Mined for
Perspective
When Mike Mongini itself and managed the busiwalked into John Babbitt’s ness of land ownership.
office in the mid 1980s, he “As a result now 25 years
had no idea his father had later, the ranches are better
been there before him. More off than ever before. The
tangible than footprints, land is healthier and more
a file cabinet revealed the valuable, the cattle are bighistory of a Mongini/ ger, the gravel operation
Babbitt business relation- is paying dividends, roads
ship that was developing have been improved, there
are more water resources,
decades ago.
Italian immigrant, Emilio wildlife, such as antelope,
Mongini had an invest- are benefiting, and there
ment business, Selna and are more business opporMongini Investments. One tunities.”
of his business partners Mongini has witnessed
was a mining engineer who how the Babbitt family
was convinced the CO Bar has set up this 125-yearRanch was rich in uranium. old company to go on for
In the late 1950s, a deal another 125 years.
was in the works for Selna “The Babbitts really
and Mongini to purchase believe in a land ethic. In
various small properties on everything they do, they
have to be able to explain
the ranch.
Fast forward some 25 how it relates to the health
years, that transaction had of the land and the businever transpired, but the ness of land management.
land called out to Emilio’s They didn’t want to be the
generation that
son. This time
wasted it all.
the
resource
Instead they’re
was gravel.
Article IV just
getting
Tr u c k l o a d s
started.”
of gravel were
Cowboy
Mongini was
being extracted
Essence
raised in Cotfrom
Babbitt
Character
tonwood, cleanRanches
for
Qualities
ing up after the
roads and conSection 8.
cows on his famstruction projily’s dairy farm.
ects, but there
Integrity
He
attended
was little inforPurity of intention.
Northern
Arimation
about
zona University
how much gravel
and went to
existed, where it
was going and who should law school in Los Angeles.
He and his wife, Jeni, are
be paying for it.
“It was a different time raising their two sons in
then. The Gray Mountain Flagstaff. Both boys were
open pit was very remote. adopted from an Italian
The cowboys were the only orphanage in Guatemala.
ones out there. They saw This past year Mongini
the mining activity, but they was reminiscing with Babfigured someone else was bitt Ranches’ Foreman Vicmanaging the gravel opera- tor Howell and President
tions,” said Flagstaff lawyer Bill Cordasco during shipping at Tin House Camp
Mike Mongini.
In the mid 1980s, Mongini on the Espee Ranch. Monwas hired to evaluate the gini was shipping cattle in
value of Babbitt Ranches’ the early ‘70s working for
gravel pits and make sure the Tavasci Brothers Catcompanies paid for the tle Handlers. Vic, being a
10-year-old boy out there
gravel taken.
“It was thought that the with his dad at the time,
Gray Mountain pit was remembered watching one
mined out. Bill Cordasco of the Tavasci Brothers flip
and I walked miles over an ornery 600-pound steer
on his back in the cattle
that lava flow.”
They concluded there was chute. “Vic said, ‘Those
much more gravel than Tavasci Brothers were
anyone had suspected. As really big and mean!’”
a result they worked with Mongini, at age 15, was
contractors, such as the as big as he is today. “I
Arizona Department of must have looked huge to
Transportation, to finance a young boy. The Tavasci
the drilling costs to assess Brothers had told me not
to let any of the animals
the quantity of material.
Mongini regards the ‘80s come down the chute. The
as a turning point for the cattle weren’t used to being
Babbitts. It was a time when shipped, the weather was
Babbitt Brothers Trading bad, they were scared and
Company was liquidating there was one that came
its interests and the ranches down with a vengeance.”
were being appraised for Mongini tackled the steer
only their ranch value. and when it got back on its
He was asked to evaluate feet it was so worked up it
hit its head on the steel gate
the situation.
“Family members did not and knocked himself out.
want to sell the ranches. “I told Vic, ‘that was me!’
They were trying to fig- But Vic had a hard time
ure out how to keep them believing it. He was sure
for generations to come. It those Tavasci Brothers
was at that time that they were monsters.”
realized they weren’t just
a ranching company that
Round-up Song
raises cattle; they were a
land company that grows
“Bunch the herd,
grass. If the grass is healthy,
at the old meet,
the land is healthy and
Then beat ‘em on the tail;
everything revolves around
how well you’re taking care
Whip ‘em
of the land.”
up and down the sides
This bigger picture paradigm shift changed the way
And hit the shortest trail.”
Babbitt Ranches viewed
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 4
August 2011
Babbitt Ranches and McCullough Insurance, Third Generation
a Time-honored Flagstaff Partnership
Cowboy Serves
The old ponderosa pine
as Cow Doc
stumps in Tim McCullough’s
backyard root this fourth
generation Arizona Babbitt
relative back to the original
five brothers. McCullough’s
great grandfather, George
Babbitt, owned the property where these large timbers were taken down.
Like so many others who
are connected to Babbitt
Ranches, McCullough’s life
has weaved in and out of
Babbitt operations.
George Babbitt, more of a
businessman than a cattleman, may well have passed
his entrepreneurial gene onto
future generations. Meantime, Tim’s other grandfather, Thomas Edward
McCullough,
started
McCullough Insurance in
1919. Respectively, these
are Flagstaff’s oldest surviving businesses: Babbitt
Ranches first, McCullough
Insurance second.
The Babbitts and the
McCulloughs first came
together when Thomas
married George’s daughter, Margaret. The two had
George McCullough. He
and his wife Patsy had four
children, the youngest being
Tim. At one time, George
McCullough had the job of
driving C.J. Babbitt around
Babbitt Ranches to check
on waters and look at cattle
when C.J. could no longer
drive. In the ‘80s, George
Tim McCullough, center in dark jacket, lends a hand at Spider Web during branding time.
documented
ing trips.
a year of the
By their later
ranching operateen
years,
Article III
tions with phoMcCullough and
Cowboy
tographs and a
Cordasco began
slide show.
working at BabEssence
While Tim was
bitt Home CenSection 3.
growing up, his
ter. Tim recalls
younger cousin
many
fond
Friendship
was in and out Mutual esteem, respect memories. For
of town while
example, Tim
and devotion are the
ingredients of an
attending Orme
had his comenduring friendship.
School.
Billy
mercial driver’s
Like marriage, it must
Cordasco would not be taken for granted license so he
stay with John
was
making
but requires a
joint effort.
and Betty Babdeliveries. Billy
bitt who lived up
was sweeping
the street. Tim
up the yard.
says the two,
It wasn’t long
like brothers, participated before they were making
in family picnics and hunt- deliveries together. It was
during that time that Tim
introduced Billy to Mike
Mongini, who was picking
up some building supplies.
McCullough, Cordasco
and Mongini became fast
friends, hanging out, playing together on the same
Flagstaff city league basketball team, and sharing
many other activities and
adventures.
By 1982, Tim had earned
his bachelor’s degree in
business from Northern
Arizona University. He
joined the Peace Corps and
traveled to Micronesia. On
this three-million-squareMcCullough
continued on page 11
Accountant Adds Up Rich History with Babbitts
Boyd Corbett had a repu- Siding and the railroad, and
tation for strongly disliking running them from Williams
little ranching operations. to Tin House Camp and the
In the 1930s, he ran outfits Grand Canyon.
for the Babbitts, including After a year working for
the famous Hashknives. Babbitt Ranches, Terry
It has been said that this went to work for Northern
Arizona
Uniranch foreman
versity managwas difficult to
ing the school’s
get along with,
Article III dairy herd.
which is probHansen’s
ably why only
Cowboy
g
r a n d m ot h er,
one
cowboy
Essence
Althea (Terry)
made the effort
Section 11.
Burns, has made
to save him
her mark on hiswhen he was
Skill
tory, too. At age
bucked
and
Be prepared with
knowledge and the
104, she holds
dragged from
ability to properly
the honor of
a horse named
and quickly execute
being Flagstaff
Midnight.
the fundamentals.
High School’s
None-the-less,
Cover every
little detail.
oldest survivCorbett was a
ing alumna. In
well-established
1925,
Burns
part of Arizona
history. His name now is was captain of the FHS
remembered on various girls’ basketball team,
northern Arizona land- which was undefeated durmarks such as pastures and ing her senior year.
grandfather,
water tanks. Stories about Hansen’s
Corbett are captured in the Nelson Burns, came to
book Hashknife Cowboy by Flagstaff shortly after high
Stella Hughes.
school with his brothers to
Today, the Corbett family work in the lumber mill.
continues to be associated “He ended up working
with Babbitt Ranches. Cor- on the Riordans’ vehicles
bett’s great, great nephew because no one else in
is accountant Tim Hansen. Flagstaff had ever worked
Through Nordstrom & on any automobiles before,
Associates, CPAs, Hansen nor had he prior to that!”
has been crunching num- says Hansen.
bers for the Babbitts for In the mid ‘40s, Hansen’s
more than a decade.
grandparents built an auto
Hansen’s great, great dealership on Milton and
grandfather, John Terry, Route 66. The building
was Corbet’s brother-in- now houses the I Do, I Do
law. He brought his family wedding shop.
to Flagstaff from Arkansas The Burns left Flagstaff
in 1923 when Boyd had in the mid ‘50s and moved
a job for him on Cedar to Cottonwood. The couple
Ranch. The work required bought 35 acres on the
driving the freight wagon, Verde River and Nelson
taking supplies from Anita’s worked as a radio mechanic.
This is where Hansen grew
up, along with his aunts and
uncles. Hansen graduated
from Mingus High School.
After earning his accounting degree at NAU, he
joined Nordstrom & Associates. He began working
with the Babbitts when
the Trading Company was
divesting and later became
the accountant for Cataract
Ranch.
“It’s just fascinating knowing our family’s history
in Arizona and knowing
my relatives were involved
in the history of Babbitt
Ranches. It makes you feel
more part of the community,” he says.
Hansen’s
grandmother
lives
in
Cottonwood.
Another Boyd Corbett
descendent, granddaughter Ruth Kunkle, lives in
Albuquerque.
Hansen has lived in Flagstaff for 22 years and been
involved in community activities and boards including
Kiwanis, Northland Family Help Center, the Pine
Country Pro Rodeo, Aspen
Valley Golf Club and his
church. He and his wife,
Mary, have a 13-yearold son.
With tens of thousands of nary inspection.
patients to examine each Weather, he says, has the
year, the life of a cow doc- biggest influence on herd
tor means long days away health. “Drought interfaces
from home, long nights quite readily with what all
helping cowboys treat sick of us do on a ranch. There’s
animals, and some 60,000 always some disease entity
miles on the odometer.
that pops up and we can
Ranch veterinarian Dr. vaccinate for a lot, but
Jim Lytle is one of only drought magnifies it.”
four Arizona ranch doc- Lytle says knowing the
tors solely devoted to the industry has helped him
beef industry. A third help ranches become more
generation Arizonan, Lytle efficient. “In this business
was born and raised in you are working with great
the ranching community people and you’re both
of Prescott. He grew up working toward the same
around livestock and spent goals: the animals’ welfare
weekends and summers as and the ranches’ bottom
a cowboy as both sets of line. You’ve got to have good
g r a n d p a r e nt s
healthy horses
owned
cattle
and cattle. Babranches,
one
bitt
Ranches has
Article IV
on the Arizona/
the smoothest
Cowboy
Mexico border,
operation I’ve
Essence
the other near
seen.”
Prescott.
Character
Because of the
“You have to
distances
he
Qualities
really have a
travels,
Lytle
Section 6
fondness
for
spends much of
Reliability
animals to do
his time training
The consistency and and consulting
this kind of
work. Although trustworthiness that cowboys.
creates respect.
people pay the
“If there’s an
bills, animals
individual aniare partners in
mal crisis, a difthe success of the ranch.” ficult birth or a sick critter,
Saying he knew he’d go often times you can talk the
broke as a cowboy, Lytle cowboy through it, espeattended veterinary school cially if you’ve been workin Fort Collins, Colo. After ing with him and you know
a short time in Nebraska, the individual. You may be
he set up his veterinary able to advise him in what
business in Wickenburg in medicine to use or at least
1975. “About 80 percent get him to a veterinarian
of my practice is with ranch who’s close.”
animals. My main focus is Aside from his practice,
herd health and reproduc- Lytle is a partner in the
tive efficiency.”
Forepaugh Cattle ComA good part of the job pany, a cow/calf operation.
requires testing for preg- He met his wife, Chris,
nancy, vaccinating heif- in college. The two live
ers, and conducting fertil- in Wickenburg and have
ity work with bulls. The raised a daughter and a
busiest season is in the fall son “who didn’t want to be
when cattle are sold. If the veterinarians because vets
animals are going out-of- work too many hours.”
state they require a veteri928.774.6199
P. O. Box 520
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
www.babbittranches.com
Babbitt Executives Serve as Role Models
to Fendley
He’d see them whenever he
bused tables at the Monte
Vista Hotel. As a young man
he admired their tailored
suits and the way they conducted themselves. These
were the businessmen of
Babbitt Brothers Trading
Company—Ted Babbitt,
Paul Babbitt, John Babbitt
and Bob Nimmons—men
whose character would
have a lasting impact on
Gregg Fendley.
“I’d think, ‘I’d like to be
like them someday, to dress
nicely and spend 20 to 30
minutes at a coffee shop a
couple times a day, talking
business and socializing.’”
Fendley worked in downtown Flagstaff’s Monte
Vista Hotel, across from
the Babbitt offices, in the
early 1960s. His mother,
Janet, was a waitress there.
When she began working in
the data processing department at Babbitts' Department Store, her influence
landed Gregg a part-time
job in the cashier’s department.
“In those days, customers
would come in to pay their
credit and lay-away bills.
Employees would cash
their payroll checks and the
cowboys would come in off
the ranch. They’d have an
R.B. and Bertha Corbett pose at Cedar Ranch in 1922. This is the inch of dirt all over them.
truck in which he was almost killed the following year.
I’ll never forget that.”
Fendley remembers his
supervisor Paul Wilson as
a diminutive older man who
carried a big stick.
“I can’t tell you how many
times I used my own money
to balance my account at
the end of my shift just so
Mr. Wilson wouldn’t yell at
me!”
While Fendley was earning his business degree at
Northern Arizona University, he worked as a janitor in the evenings at the
department store, responsible for cleaning all the
executive offices including
the board room.
“Some of my most memorable experiences involved
sitting down with Ted Babbitt, who was president at
the time. He was such a
nice man and made himself
available for conversation.
I’d sit on his couch at 5:30,
6, 6:30 in the evenings and
he’d ask about what I was
learning in college and I’d
ask him how it applied to
the trading company. It was
a wonderful experience.”
Fendley would do the
same thing with Babbitt
Brothers’ comptroller Bob
Nimmons and learned
enough through conversations with him to know he
didn’t want anything to do
with accounting.
“I’d have the same con-
versations with the Human a young man watching the
Resources director, Mr. gentlemen who built and
Dickinson. I heard enough managed the company and
now to be in a
stories
from
position to run
him to realize
own busiI didn’t want to
Article III my
ness and repbe an HR direcCowboy
resent Babbitt
tor either. But
Ranches and the
with Ted BabEssence
employee benebitt, I learned
Section
9.
fits. It’s quite an
I wanted to be
honor to know
a guy like him
Intentness
and recognize
someday.”
Set realistic goals.
the history of
From Babbitt’s
Concentrate on
the
company
influence, Fendachievement by
the
ley made the resisting temptations. through
Be determined
years.”
decision to go
and persistent.
Fendley met his
into business for
wife, Ira Jean,
himself.
in high school.
“It really started
watching those gentlemen They raised their three chilcome in to the coffee shop dren in Flagstaff.
and was reinforced doing “One of the things I picked
janitor work and working at up from the Babbitts is
how important it is to be
the cashier’s window.”
Fendley got into the insur- respected in the commuance business in 1975. By nity. I’ve tried to run my
the early ‘90s, he was man- business with the same
aging employee benefits for hometown values, being
Babbitt Brothers Trading willing to sit down with
people and solve problems.
Company.
“When I see the folks And, no matter how big you
upstairs in the old build- are, you have to give back
ing, I can’t help but think and spend meaningful time
it’s been quite a full circle with the younger generathat I’ve personally been tion.”
through. I think back to the Fendley is the owner
day when at Christmastime of Fendley and Son’s
in the late ‘50s and ‘60s, the Employee Benefit Consultonly place you really bought ing in Flagstaff.
any gifts were at Babbitts
and JC Penney. Then, to be
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
August 2011
page 5
Photo courtesy Darren Choate
Across the Crossing
Symbolizing the cooperation between state and federal agencies and Babbitt Ranches, representatives stand side by side on the newly
constructed Redlands Crossing at Redlands Ranch Camp at Cataract Canyon.
Gallaher Accounts for a Century of Inventory
Autumn Aspens on Cedar Ranch
After earning her account- ward to change.
ing degree at Northern Ari- Gallaher was hired to manage the inventory
zona University,
of the Trading
Kim Gallaher
Company, which
went to work
Article III turned into more
for a law firm
of an opportunity
in
downtown
Cowboy
than she could
Phoenix. A few
Essence
have ever imagyears later, she
Section
5.
ined. There were
says she was
projects involvfortunate to gain
Loyalty
ranching,
e m p l o y m e n t Be devoted to yourself ing
and to all those who
retail, wholesale,
with
Babbitt
Brothers Trad- depend on you. Keep manufacturing,
your self-respect.
property maning Company
agement
and
and return to
other operations
Flagstaff, where
she was introduced to a as history shows. On her
completely different way of first day at work she traveled to the Cedar Ridge
doing business.
Perhaps Gallaher’s diverse Trading Post on the Indian
background had prepared Reservation to do inventory,
her for the adventure and which was very enlightening
culture she was about to to the culture and vast hisembrace. She had grown tory of the company.
up in exotic places such Meantime, a hundred
as Hong Kong, Japan and years of Babbitt history had
Thailand. She learned to be been boxed up and tucked
adaptable and looked for- away in the 4,000-squarefoot Pendleton warehouse
behind Flagstaff’s Pinegrove Shopping Center.
Gallaher feared this vast
amount of history, two stories high and three boxes
deep, would be lost for-
Wolf Knows Cattle
ever. So in the late ‘90s,
she bought a scanner for
her computer and went to
work, carefully preserving
every historical item she
could find.
Today many of those fragile documents are stored in
Special Collections with the
Northern Arizona University Cline Library or with
the Babbitt Foundation. But
it is projects like this that
have assured Gallaher she’s
in the right place working
with the right company.
Throughout the years, she
experienced a great deal of
change with Babbitts. Gallaher has worked as assistant controller, controller
and vice president of the
Trading Company. After
the Trading Company was
sold, she started her own
accounting business, Forest
Financial Consulting, Inc.,
and continues to work with
Babbitt Ranches on special
projects.
“Babbitt Ranches is such
a unique place. They have
developed a constitution to
guide them with principles
they follow and incorporate
into their everyday lives.”
She recalls shareholder
meetings, on the ranch at
Wild Bill, held on picnic
benches under ponderosa
pines with the San Francisco
Peaks in the background.
“At most companies you
rarely have an opportunity
to meet the owners. But
here they know your name
and thank you personally for what you do. They
set the stage for an honest
exchange of ideas for the
betterment of the community, as well as the company,
and its employees.”
Gallaher has been connected with Babbitt Ranches
for more than 20 years. She
values the company’s past,
its vision for pioneering
the future and the unique
opportunities that present
themselves.
“Every day is an adventure.
If there’s a quiet time, you
know something is in the
works and you look forward
to what’s about to happen
next.”
Kim and her husband,
Dean, raised their two sons
in Flagstaff.
Majure Skates into Niche
Markets with Babbitt Ranches
Genetics, quality and consistency make bitt Ranches cattle still do better than
Babbitt Ranches cattle easy to sell, says most.”
Willard Wolf, who has marketed more
Wolf has been around cattle his whole
than $200 million worth of
life, and since the early ‘90s
cattle for western ranchers.
he’s been working with BabWolf may well be the most
Article IV bitt Ranches, consulting on
knowledgeable
Hereford
where to buy bulls and shipCowboy
broker in the country. His
ping 3,200 to 3,500 Babbitt
Essence
comprehensive
network
Ranches heifers and steers a
includes purebred breeders,
year.
Character
feedlots, ranchers and aucBorn and raised on a comQualities
tioneers.
mercial ranch in Oklahoma,
Section 4.
“We have a network of proWolf recalls working with
Honesty
spective buyers nationwide
his grandfather from the age
Doing the things we
that we deal with,” he said.
of 5.
know are right.
“You have to know the corn
He graduated from Oklamarket, food costs, the cost
homa State University with
of production and get all the
a degree in animal science.
terms of the sale before you
Soon he was setting up the
consider an asking price. The Babbitt western division of the Oklahoma ComRanches’ quality health program results mission Company and learning all
in cattle that get the top market price aspects of the livestock industry.
each and every year.”
From there he went to work for the
Wolf is used to seeing the Babbitt cat- U.S. Department of Agriculture reporttle get better each year. In the last 15 ing market news about sheep, hogs and
years he says Babbitt Ranches cattle, cattle. Two years later, he was export90 percent Hereford and 10 percent ing livestock to foreign countries such
black baldie, have increased in weight as Hondurus and Mexico for a Richabout 140 pounds per head. And that mond, Va., firm.
means profit.
It was at a national exposition in Mex“The Babbitt Ranches community has ico City where he was recruited by the
been working hard at it. The environ- American Hereford Association. Today
ment also has an effect. You can have he runs up to 200 head of cattle in the
the best genetics in the world, but if you state of Washington.
don’t have moisture, the weights will be
lighter. But even in drier years, Bab-
With recent news of corporate abuses, ethics violations, outrageous CEO pay,
and government bailouts,
Northern Arizona University finance professor Lisa
Majure says working with
Babbitt Ranches is refreshing. “It’s such an ethical,
morally-guided company.
It’s nice to know there are
businesses out there that
have integrity in all that
they do.”
Dr. Majure has been working with Babbitt Ranches
for eight years. The relationship began with the
2004 Family Business
Forum hosted by NAU featuring John and Jane Covey
and The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective Families. Majure
collaborated with Billy
Cordasco on the forum to
help other businesses in the
community understand the
complex dynamics of running a family business.
Since that time, Babbitt
Ranches and the W.A.
Franke College of Business have collaborated on
projects that have benefited
both.
Along with her co-author,
accounting professor Kathryn Savage, Majure recently
published a case entitled,
“Babbitt Ranches: Governance and Strategic Planning in a Family Business,”
in the Case Research Journal (Summer 2010). Using
this case study, Majure’s
MBA and undergraduate finance students have
had access to a real-world “We have been watching
family business model, and other companies and their
have been exposed to the experience with mobile
challenges and
slaughter units.
issues associThundering
ated with makin Walla
Article III Hooves
ing decisions in
Walla, Wash.,
Cowboy
a family busiwas the first
ness.
USDA approved
Essence
“Ba bbitt
mobile
unit.
Section 10.
Ranches
is
They had their
s o m e w h a t Conditioning own processunique in its
ing facility, a
corporate gov- All aspects of our lives storefront and
must be developed:
ernance prac- mental; spiritual; and, 40 distribution
tices and use of physical. Rest, exercise sites, but after
a multiple bot- and diet must be con- four years in
and moderation
tom line. There sidered
business, they
must be practiced.
are not a lot of
didn’t make it.”
fourth or fifth
A former comgeneration fampetitive figure
ily businesses around that skater in her youth, Majure
can disseminate lessons skated into the business
learned and provide strate- world during her five-year
gies for moving forward,” career touring with the Ice
she says.
Capades. Along with per“We also have been inves- forming jumps and spins,
tigating niche marketing of she worked in the conceslocal beef products for the sions operations, where she
past several years,” says was responsible for orderMajure. “Babbitt Ranches ing Ice Capades souveventured into this market nirs, keeping inventory and
in 2004-‘05, but quickly working with vendors at the
pulled back due to market- various venues where Ice
ing and distribution prob- Capades performed.
lems as well as roadblocks Majure earned her underwith wholesalers.”
graduate and doctorate
Majure’s undergraduate degrees in finance at the
students have gone in for a University of Utah and
much closer look conduct- began teaching at the Uniing consumer surveys to versity of Colorado. She
determine the local demand moved to Flagstaff in 1990
and price point for natural, where she has been a busigrass-fed beef, and inves- ness professor at NAU for
tigating the viability of a 20 years and raised her
mobile slaughter unit and three children.
processing facilities.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 8
Park Service Preserves the
Past for the Future
A Conversation with Flagstaff National Monuments
Superintendent Diane Chung
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired
the natural and cultural
resources and values of the
national park system for
the enjoyment, education,
and inspiration of this and
future generations.
To achieve this mission,
the NPS adheres to the following guiding principles:
excellent service; productive partnerships; citizen
involvement; heritage education; outstanding employees; employee development; wise decisions; effective management; research
and technology; and shared
capabilities.
Each Flagstaff Area
National Monument has
specific missions. Walnut
Canyon National Monument was established to
preserve the prehistoric
ruins of ancient cliff dwellings. Sunset Crater Volcano
National Monument was
established to protect geologic formations. Wupatki
National Monument was
established to preserve the
Citadel and Wupatki prehistoric pueblos.
Flagstaff Area National
Monuments’ staff is committed to science, education and the cultivation of
partnerships. Achievements
include pursuing Climate
Friendly Park Certification,
designed to anticipate and
prepare for sustainability
challenges including cultural and natural effects of
climate change; the Living
Within Your Climate program has been developed
by Willow Bend Environmental Education Center for the Flagstaff Unified School District; and,
interpretive programs are
offered in campgrounds
and at Arizona Snowbowl
in partnership with the
Coconino National Forest. NPS signed a MemoranIn addition, several acres dum of Understanding to
of tamarisk have been foster a shared stewardship
removed from the Dead- approach to management,
man Wash area. In the allowing access for scienfuture, Flagstaff Area tific research and providing
National Monuments’ staff expertise for archaeological
members plan to be work- resource preservation.
ing with Northern Arizona During the past several
University ecologist and years, the monuments
Regents' Professor Dr. Tom have worked with Babbitt
Whitham to look at cotton- Ranches, the Arizona Game
wood genotypes, a project and Fish Department and
potentially funded through the Arizona Department of
the National Science Foun- Transportation to underdation.
stand how U.S. Highway
The relationship between 89 and the highway rightthe monuments and Babbitt of-way fencing is isolating
Ranches dates back to 1924 the local pronghorn herds
when Wupatki National on the east and west side
Monument was created of the highway.
under the Antiquities Act. “This year we are workThe monument was carved ing together on a project
out of lands where the CO to develop a new water
Bar Ranch held grazing source for pronghorn and
permits—expanding
in other wildlife on our shared
1937, 1961 and 1996—to boundary in the northern
protect significant archaeo- Antelope Prairie area,” said
logical sites.
Chung. “Babbitt
“Grazing conRanches
has
tinued within the
been
proactive
Article VI
Wupatki borders
in developing
Sustainable c o n s e r v a t i o n
under a series of
Community projects such
letters of authoPrinciples
rization
until
as these and
the late 1980s,”
we enjoy workSection 11.
said Flagstaff
ing with the
Babbitt Ranches is a
Area National
ranches to precommunity that does
Monuments
serve wildlife
not compromise the
Superintendent sustainability of other and their habitat
communities.
Diane Chung.
in the Wupatki
“We
remain
area.”
good neighbors
The future of
and during the last ten years Flagstaff Area National
we have worked together Monuments and the National
on pronghorn conservation Park Service will focus on
in the Antelope Prairie and the continued preservation
White Mesa areas. We have of cultural sites.
rebuilt most of our com- Diane Chung has worked
mon boundary fence with with the National Park
wildlife-friendly wiring and Service for seven years in
PVC goat bars, enabling Flagstaff and as deputy
the animals to move freely superintendent at Denali
between the CO Bar and National Park. She also
the monument to meet their has worked in the Bureau
forage and water needs.”
of Land Management and
In 2004, the CO Bar and the Forest Service.
Millions of Acres
Benefit Arizonans
A Conversation with Arizona State Land Commissioner Maria Baier
The Arizona State Land
Department manages more
than nine million acres.
Established in 1915 by
the Arizona legislature,
the department was created to manage trust lands
that were granted to the
Arizona Territory and the
state by Congress. Of the
original 10.5 million acres,
Arizona still has 9.3 million
acres left in the trust, plus
a Permanent Trust Fund
with a book value exceeding $2.5 billion.
The mission of the department is to use this land and
its resources to enhance
value and optimize economic return for Arizonans that: is consistent
with sound stewardship,
conservation and business
management; and, supports socioeconomic goals
for citizens today and for
generations to come.
Generating funding for
education is among its
greatest accomplishments.
Currently there are some
11,000 active contracts
on trust lands that generate billions of dollars for
public schools, universities
and other important public
institutions. The department serves as the landlord or seller to some of
the state’s most productive
businesses. Arizona State Department will continue to
Land Commissioner Maria carry out its mission. “It is
Baier counts the depart- a great privilege to be able
ment’s ability to foster to serve Arizona through
good relationthe work of the
ships with its
department.”
many neighbors
Maria
Baier
Article VII
among its greatis an Arizona
Human
est accomplishnative who has
Dimension
ments.
lived most of her
and Science life in Phoenix
The Arizona
State
Land
and is raising her
Section 5.
Department and
two daughters,
Participate in the disBabbitt Ranches cussion, planning and both
adopted
have a twin-like development of quality from Mexico.
regional plans.
relationship.
She
attended
Because of the
Arizona State
che ckerb o a rd
University
as
pattern of land ownership, an undergraduate and the
Baier says the department University of Arizona for her
and Babbitt Ranches under- law degree. Baier has
stand that nature does not served on the staffs of the
recognize property owner- Arizona Attorney General
ship lines.
and two governors and
“This has prompted many was elected to the Phoenix
conversations about collab- City Council before being
orative management, which appointed Arizona State
are likely to pay dividends Land Commissioner.
for many generations to “I think just about anyone
come. Babbitt Ranches who knows me will tell you
has been a thoughtful that serving as Arizona’s
and inclusive partner in its land commissioner is my
endeavors. It has produced dream job because I have
some of the state’s great- the privilege of overseeing
est leaders and thinkers the management of more
and Arizona has benefited than nine million acres of
from Babbitt Ranches’ land, and it appears there is
vision, dedication and always something interestmany civic and charitable ing (sometimes authorized,
contributions.”
sometimes not) happening
The Arizona State Land on each of them,” she said.
Baier also has run a
Night Song to Calm the Herd
family business for two
decades and been the
“Oh, lay still, dogies, since you have laid down,
director of two non-profStretch away out in the big open ground;
its, The Trust for Public
Snore loud, little dogies, and drown the wild sound
Land (Arizona office) and
That will go away when the day rolls round;
Valley Partnership.
Lay still, little dogies, lay still.”
August 2011
Forest Service Strives to Restore
Health to Millions of Acres
A Conversation with Coconino National Forest Public Affairs
Officer Brady Smith
The mission of the Coconino National trees, and conducting prescribed burns
Forest is to sustain the health, diversity to clean up dead and dying debris on
and productivity of the forest
the forest floor. Other projto meet the needs of present
ects include restoring wildlife
and future generations. In
habitat and providing access
Article V
short, caring for the land and
to recreationists.
serving people.
A Land Ethic The future for the Forest SerMajor
accomplishments
vice is largely in landscapeSection 3.
include managing more than
scale forest restoration. With
The land ethic then
1.8 million acres of public
the Four Forests Restoraland to accommodate more reflects the existence tion Initiative, the Coconino,
of an ecological conthan three million visitors science, and this in turn Kaibab, Apache-Sitgreaves
each year who enjoy a number reflects a conviction of and Tonto National Forests
of activities on their national individual responsibil- are collaborating with many
for the health of
forest including backpacking, theityland.
stakeholders to thin excess
Health is the
hiking and camping.
capacity of the land for trees and restore ecological
“Beyond it being our job, self-renewal. Conser- health to more than two milthe Forest Service is full of vation is our effort to lion acres of ponderosa pine
understand and preserve
people who are passionate
forest. Goals include reducthis capacity.
about taking care of the land
ing dangerous levels of fuels
the best they can with what
that feed unnaturally intense
resources they have,” said
wildfires and increasing wildCoconino National Forest Public Affairs life and plant diversity.
Officer Brady Smith. “We love what we Brady Smith came to the Forest Service
do and the service we provide.”
after serving as a public affairs officer in
The Babbitts have had a relationship the Air Force. “I see much of the same
with the Coconino and Kaibab National work ethic, integrity and diligence here
Forests since the Forest Service was as I did in the Air Force, and it’s good to
established in 1905. Projects have work with people who truly care about
included restoring historic grasslands by the job they do and this great land.”
cutting encroaching pinyon and juniper
Photo courtesy USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Space Cowboys’ Training
Launched from Babbitt Ranches
A Conversation with USGS Research Geologist Jim Skinner
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science
Center, located in Flagstaff,
serves the nation, the international planetary science
community and the general
public in the pursuit of new
knowledge of our Solar System.
The
center
conducts
diverse planetary research,
develops software, participates in the planning and
operation of space exploration missions, produces
cartographic products, and
helps establish standards
for mapping and archiving
planetary data.
The USGS Astrogeology
Science Center scientists
and engineers have supported NASA planetary
missions for decades. During the Apollo missions of
the 1960s, USGS scientists
worked with astronauts on
the rocky, lunar-like landscape of Babbitt Ranches
to learn how to maneuver
through the volcanic surface
and identify rock samples to
bring back to Earth.
Babbitt cowboys used
dynamite to create a crater
for astronauts to test their
moon rover. Since that time,
USGS scientists and engineers have been developing
a range of image, topography and geologic maps of
planetary bodies, often with
help from the Babbitt family.
During the past few years,
USGS scientists have
worked with the NASA/
Johnson Space Center Desert Research and Technol-
ogy Studies group as they “Operating this rover on
examine ways to explore Mars will be very complanetary surfaces beyond plex, so a few days of rover
our own. In August and activities were simulated by
September 2010, Desert acquiring image, spectroRATS simulated a lunar tra- scopic and weather data in
verse that extended across the field and sending them
Babbitt Ranch land, from to JPL,” said USGS MSL
the northwestern margin of scientist Dr. Ken HerkenBlack Point Lava Flow to hoff. “The field test was very
Colton Crater, a distance useful because it helped the
of more than 20
MSL
science
kilometers.
team
become
“As part of a
more
familiar
Article IV with software
collaborative
effort, the USGS
and procedures
Cowboy
provides Desert
that will be used
Essence
RATS scientists
to plan and anaCharacter
and
mission
lyze observations
Qualities
planners with
on Mars.”
Section
1.
data sets and
The
USGS
maps to assist in
Astrogeolog y
Ambition
defining science
Science
CenThe desire to achieve
goals, identifying
ter is a national
noble goals.
rock outcrops
resource
for
for observation
the integration
and study, and designing of planetary geoscience,
rover traverses and extra- cartography and remote
vehicular activity stations,” sensing. As explorers and
said USGS research geolo- surveyors with a unique
gist Jim Skinner.
heritage of proven expertise
In addition, NASA’s Jet and international leadership,
Propulsion
Laboratory USGS scientists look to a
in California utilized the future of ongoing successexceptional access and simi- ful investigation of the Solar
larity to extraterrestrial sur- System for humankind.
faces of Babbitt Ranch land Jim Skinner has been a
north of the Black Point geologist with the USGS
Lava Flow to conduct a field for 11 years. He works with
test of NASA’s Mars Sci- NASA on the Desert RATS
ence Laboratory rover dur- project that tests equipment
ing May and June. MSL is in the field and does mission
a large rover that is sched- simulations. He also conuled for launch in November ducts mapping projects for
2011 and Mars landing in NASA that help improve our
August 2012. USGS Astro- understanding of the Earth,
geology provided logistical Moon and Mars. He lives
and science support for the in Flagstaff with his wife
MSL test.
and son.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
August 2011
page 9
Wildlife Managers
Get the Lead
Out, Install Goat
Bars and Restore
Meadows
A Conversation with AGFD Flagstaff
Regional Supervisor Ron Sieg
The Arizona Game and hundreds (perhaps thouFish Department man- sands) of goat bars on the
ages the state’s wildlife lower wires of fences on
as a public trust for the the ranches to help antepeople of Arizona. This lope cross under safely;
includes both huntable and cutting and grinding nearly
50,000 acres of pinyon and
nongame species.
Its mission is, “To con- juniper trees to re-create
meadow openserve, enhance
ings and wildlife
and
restore
movement corA r i z ona’s
Article VI ridors; coordidiverse wildlife
resources and
Sustainable nating with the
habitats through
Community National Park
Service to move
aggressive proPrinciples
fences
away
tection
and
Section 5.
from Highway
management
Babbitt Ranches is a
89 to determine
programs, and
to provide wild- community that respects whether anteother forms of life and
life resources supports biodiversity. lope would cross
the highway if
and safe waterthere were fewer
craft and offbarriers in the
highway vehicle
recreation for the enjoy- immediate area; and, supment, appreciation and use porting wildlife monitoring
by present and future gen- projects to gauge habitat
usage and movement paterations.”
“Managing today for terns across the ranches.
wildlife tomorrow” is the Informing citizens about
department’s bottom line the North American Wildlife Conservation Model of
and vision statement.
Distributing free non-lead hunting behavior is one of
ammunition to hunters in the department’s current
condor range is among the projects. The overarching
department’s most success- principle is that wildlife
ful programs, says AGFD is a public trust resource,
Flagstaff Regional Super- scientifically managed and
visor Ron Sieg. “Lead available to all citizens.
poisoning is the greatest “In many ways, Babbitt
obstacle to condor recovery Ranches is ahead of us in
and our efforts have moved this area with its empha85 to 90 percent of hunt- sis on public access to the
ers in the condor range ranches and encourageinto taking lead reduction ment of Aldo Leopold’s
land ethics by all who use
efforts.”
Another accomplishment the land.”
has been the removal of Sieg says, for the vast
invasive trees from historic majority of the people who
grasslands through both work with the Arizona Game
internal funds and coop- and Fish Department, it’s a
erative projects with land calling not a job.
owners and the Natural “Many of the private land
Resource
Conservation owners I work with, especially with Babbitt Ranches,
Service.
Together with Babbitt have the same dedication
Ranches, the department to the land, which makes
has been innovative and pro- working together a real
active in efforts to improve pleasure.”
wildlife habitat, especially Ron Sieg has been with
for antelope. Sieg says the AGFD for 11 years. He
some of the more impres- lives with his wife, Carolyn,
in Flagstaff.
sive projects include:
Developing and installing
Coconino County Values
Open Space and Sustainability
A Conversation with Coconino County Community Development Director Bill Towler
Coconino County was carved out of Yavapai County stable, safe and attractive communities.
in 1891, and is the second largest in the U.S., second Another accomplishment is the Diablo Canyon Rural
to San Bernadino County in California.
Planning Area: Evolving Traditions in a New Economy.
When Bill Towler started with the county as Com- Completed by the county in collaboration with the Flymunity Development director in 1985, there were only ing M and Bar T Bar ranches and the Diablo Trust,
core services available such as the sheriff’s department, the plan provides a range of economic opportunities
assessor’s office and courts. “Although curiously, one to help sustain traditional agricultural uses, to improve
of the early functions was running the ferry at Lee’s the economic viability of working ranches, and thus
Ferry until Navajo Bridge was built,” he said.
to protect open space, unfragmented landscapes and
Now the county has some 30 departments and more habitat.
than 1,000 employees, about half of whom are in pub- Coconino County and Babbitt Ranches have worked
lic safety including law enforcement and the superior together to help achieve the ranch’s goals of viability,
and justice court systems. Public works and health sustainability and preservation of the ranch. Followare the other two large departments. The Community ing the donation of a conservation easement by BabDevelopment Department, with 20 employees is one bitt Ranches to The Nature Conservancy, the county
of the smaller departments and is responsible for plan- accepted an easement on an adjacent 6,400 acres of
ning and zoning, building permits and inspections, and Cataract Ranch. A few years later, the county accepted
floodplain management.
two conservation easements on the Cedar Springs secThe county mission statement begins, “We live in a tion east of the Cedar Ranch headquarters on the CO
land of vast and endless beauty, home to many cul- Bar, with the financial resources of the Forest Legacy
tures.” It includes statements about service
Program and facilitation by the Arizona
to county citizens, effective and efficient
State Land Department and Trust for Pubdelivery of services, sensitivity to citizen
Article VI lic Land.
needs, and protection for the environment.
“Cedar Springs is blessed with amazing
Sustainable plant diversity, a prominent basalt escarpThe Community Development Department
Community ment with pictographs and petroglyphs,
mission is also about providing the best serPrinciples
vice possible to county residents. It is guided
water resources that sustain the ranch and
by an award-winning Comprehensive Plan
regional wildlife, and historical importance
Section 12.
that was adopted in 2003 that contains a
as the site of one of the Grand Canyon
Babbitt Ranches is a
vision, land ethic, conservation framework, community that does stageline stops.”
and goals and policies guiding development.
The county continues to work with major
not compromise the
The vision is about maintaining a balance sustainability of future property owners in sustaining traditional
generations by its
between growth and protection of county
agriculture and preserving resources, while
activities.
character, conservation of natural resources,
accommodating expected growth and ecoprotection of environmentally sensitive
nomic development.
lands, providing for a vibrant economy, and
“This involves improvement of the built
continuing with collaborative planning.
environment to continue to improve the livability of our
“The land ethic, taken from Aldo Leopold and intro- communities and protection of the natural environment
duced by Babbitt Ranches, speaks to an ecological to preserve open spaces and maintain habitat.”
conscience and the responsibility of individual property Bill Towler has been a resident of Coconino County
owners for the health of the land. The conservation since 1971 and has worked for the county for more than
framework, from the Ecological Society of America, 25 years. After earning a bachelor’s degree in math in
concerns the way the impacts of land use decisions are Rhode Island, he did a road trip and never went home.
assessed, with an emphasis on a landscape-scale con- He landed at the Grand Canyon where he worked for
text and on the preservation of critical ecosystems and a year and a half.
habitats. All goals and policies in the plan are tied to “It has been immensely satisfying to play a role in
conservation guidelines.”
achieving the county board’s mission of preservOne of the underlying principles of the Comprehensive ing vast landscapes, protecting the natural environPlan is to protect vast landscapes and preserve unique ment, and improving the quality of life in the county’s
natural features. The plan also seeks to accommodate communities.”
growth and economic development and to promote Towler retired from Coconino County in 2011.
Photo courtesy Josh Biggs/Arizona Daily Sun
Running with the Bulls
Flagstaff runners share the forest meadow with Babbitt Ranches CO Bar Herefords during
the June 18, 2011 Flagstaff Nordic Center’s Gaspin’ in the Aspen Summer Woods Run.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 10
August 2011
NRCS Helps People Help the Land
Article V
A Conversation with NRCS Flagstaff and Prescott Valley District Conservationist Kresta Faaborg
The Natural Resource Conservation Service,
formerly the Soil Conservation Service, is an
agency that emerged from the Dust Bowl of the
1930s when severe dust storms, drought and
excessive farming damaged millions of acres of
America’s prairie land.
The NRCS works with local conservation
districts, land owners, agricultural producers
and other partners to try to find solutions to
resource conservation issues. NRCS provides
technical and, in some cases, financial assistance on a volunteer basis. Its mission is to
“Help people, help the land.”
Assisting farmers and ranchers in a way that
positively impacts the land, the NRCS helps
preserve and maintain the culture and history
of agriculture in this country. “Without farmers and ranchers, we would not have come
as far as we have,” said NRCS Flagstaff and
Prescott Valley District Conservationist Kresta
Faaborg.
NRCS has worked with Babbitt Ranches for
decades, looking at opportunities to improve
the natural resources while maintaining a
way of life for the ranches. It has provided
technical and financial assistance on projects
such as plant and animal inventories, cultural
resources surveys, pipeline designs, brush
work and wildlife projects.
“NRCS will continue to help people help the
land as long as there are food producers and
support for agriculture.”
Kresta Faaborg grew up on a farm in a small
community in southwest Minnesota. “I want to
do what I can to help the resources and the
producers of agriculture. I hope my efforts will
allow the next generation to enjoy some of the
same experiences that I had growing up and
working for the NRCS.”
A Land Ethic
Section 1.
Whatever may be the
equation for people and
land, it is improbable
that we as yet know all
its terms. The answer,
if there is any, seems
to be in a land ethic, or
some other force which
assigns more obligation
to the private landowner.
This is how the building
looked on Nov. 4, 1899.
The 1950s saw the façade modernized with aluminum siding and stucco.
This photo was taken
around 1926.
Building continued from page 1
By 1957, the management of Babbitt
meeting dinner of the Main Street FlagBrothers Trading Company decided
staff Foundation, Arizona Governor Fife
that the downtown store building
Simington predicted a bright future for
needed a facelift. Phoenix architects
the building and for the revitalization of
Lescher & Mahoney were hired to
downtown Flagstaff. At the same time
give the building a modernized look.
the building was listed on the National
Aluminum siding and stucco transRegister of Historic Places.
formed the building’s façade with a
Some 20 years later, the Babbitt Brothmore up-to-date commercial appearers Building still serves as a vital cenance. The original sandstone façade
ter for family business concerns. Babwas covered, but fortunately not
bitt Ranches maintains offices on the
destroyed.
building’s second floor, while
In 1989, Babbitts’ DepartBabbitt’s Backcountry Outfitment Store downtown was
Article IV ters operates in the original
closed and moved to the
ground floor store space.
Cowboy
Flagstaff Mall. The historic
At the recent Babbitt family
Essence
structure became vacant and
reunion, descendents of the
Character
was then sold and scheduled
original Babbitt brothers were
Qualities
for demolition and redevelprovided with a description of
opment. Unwilling to see
the role of the downtown buildSection 3.
the historic structure razed,
ing in the history of the family
Adaptability
the Babbitt Foundation
and the Flagstaff community.
The ability to adjust
purchased the building and
Behind the building, on Herito any situation.
began a historic renovation
tage Square, commemoraof the property. The original
tive bricks recall generations
sandstone façade was again
of Babbitt family members
revealed, and the pressed metal corwhose lives were so closely intertwined
nice was restored. Second floor areas
with the Babbitt Brothers Building. It is
were again transformed into offices
truly a “building for the generations.”
and apartments. At the 1991 annual
The building is bustling with activity
in downtown Flagstaff during the
August 2011 First Friday ArtWalk.
Removal of the siding
begins to expose the
original sandstone.
August 2011
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 11
ACGA Provides
NAU and Babbitt Ranches Committed to
More than a Century Learning, Science and Sustainability
A Conversation with Northern Arizona University President John Haeger
of Support to
The mission of North- and forest health.
Other buildings carry human impacts. Their
Ranchers
ern Arizona University is NAU students study Babbitt family names research landscape, includA Conversation with ACGA President
Steve Brophy
The Arizona Cattle Grow- as time and circumstances
ers’ Association is the have required during the
voice of Arizona’s ranch- sweeping changes that
ing industry. Founded 108 Arizona has experienced
years ago by Ariduring the last
zona ranchers, its
century.
mission is to rep“Babbitt
Article VII Ranches has
resent the longterm interests of
done its part
Human
cattle ranching.
for ACGA, proDimension
ACGA’s
prividing the leadand Science ership of John
mary
concern
Section 3.
centers around
Babbitt, who
the fact that Ariwas president
Provide processes
zona is a semiof ACGA from
for the resolution of
arid state, where resource management 1950 -1951.”
issues and conflicts.
stock water and
He was also a
the
productivmember of the
ity of range, on
Arizona Cattle
which range cattle depend, Industry Foundation’s first
are often undependable. Board of Trustees.
Additionally, Arizona has a “The Arizona Cattle
large amount of public land Growers’ Association celin rural areas that ranches ebrates Babbitt Ranches’
depend on.
125th anniversary as a
ACGA President Steve respected member and
Brophy says public land contributor to the indusmanagement issues often try, as an example to us
fail to take into account all of ranch-centered rural
the effects of policy on the land use that has proven its
viability of ranching and; wisdom over the span of a
therefore, the viability of century,” said Brophy. “We
open space and other envi- wish it another 125 years of
ronmental benefits that even greater success.”
ranches provide.
Steve Brophy has been
“Arizona Cattle Growers’ the president of Arizona
philosophy is to address Cattle Growers’ Associathese and related issues, tion for two years. He is
but especially those regard- a member of a family that
ing rural land, land use and has been involved in Ariwater policies, in a fact- zona ranching since coming
based manner for the good to Arizona in 1879. The
of ranching and our state.” companies he operates
Perhaps ACGA’s great- own land and ranch in Gila,
est accomplishment is its Navajo and Apache councontinued relevance and ties, and farm in Maricopa
ability to adapt its activities County.
to provide an outstanding
undergraduate residential
education
strengthened
by research, graduate and
professional programs, and
sophisticated methods of
distance delivery.
At its Flagstaff campus
and extended learning centers throughout Arizona,
NAU serves some 25,000
students. Among its many
accomplishments,
NAU
strives to: increase undergraduate enrollment and
improve retention on the
Flagstaff campus; provide
services, activities, facilities and the physical environment that contributes
to a vibrant and engaging
residential campus; implement innovative, effective,
sustainable, and accountable practices including
effective use of technology;
secure new funding sources
and reallocate resources to
enhance the student experience; and, create an environment of respect, civility,
access, and inclusion that
engages the campus community and values.
Although NAU’s emphasis
is on undergraduate education, a wide range of graduate programs and research
extend to such national
concerns as bioterrorism
alongside
world-class
researchers such as forensic microbiologist Regents’
Professor Dr. Paul Keim,
who decodes DNA and
solved the FBI’s largest case involving deadly
anthrax; and forest ecologist Regents’ Professor Dr.
Wally Covington, who is
leading the national charge
to restore forest health to
the American West.
The mountain campus
and the Babbitts have had
a close relationship since
the early 1900s when NAU
was known as Northern
Arizona Normal School.
Many Babbitt family members have participated in
efforts to support the university and may well have
had more of an impact on
the school than any other
group of people.
Babbitt President and
Arizona State Senator John
Babbitt influenced the name
change from Northern Arizona State College of Flagstaff to Northern Arizona
University. In addition, he is
credited with bringing the
School of Forestry to the
campus. Today, the NAU
president’s office is housed
in the Babbitt Administrative Building, named after
John Babbitt.
including Babbitt Dorm ing Babbitt ranch land, is
and the Bilby Research one of the largest ecologiCenter. The Babbitt Board cal study sites in the world,
Room, adorned with the comprising vast wildlands,
original Babbitt board varied topographies and
table and Babbitt memora- diverse life zones. Projects
bilia, is located in the W. A. include riparian restoration,
Native
studFranke College
ies and wind
of Business.
C u r r e n t l y,
Article VI energy.
“Babbitt
Babbitt Ranches
Sustainable Ranches has
President Bill
Cordasco serves
Community been committed
to education for
on the advisory
Principles
years, and has
board for the
Section 8.
truly
become
College of BusiBabbitt Ranches is a
an
important
ness. Mary Babthat makes
partner
with
bitt, daughter of community
the best use of local
Viola Babbitt, efforts and resources, Northern AriUniveris past presi- and nurtures solutions at zona
the local level.
sity,” said NAU
dent of the Bilby
President John
Research CenHaeger. “The
ter. Joe Sharber
and Bobby D’Mura are Babbitts’ dedication to the
board members with the land and to critical research
helps NAU further its misLandsward Institute.
Through the Landsward sion as a national leader in
Institute, NAU and land sustainability and educastewards of the Colorado tion.”
Plateau have established Dr. John Haeger has
an innovative framework served as NAU president
for use-inspired research, since 2001 after serving
data collection and dissem- as NAU’s provost. Previination for the natural and ously he was provost and
social sciences. Scientists, vice president for academic
faculty, students and land affairs at Towson Univermanagers work together to sity in Maryland. He and
advance the understanding his wife, Cecily, live in
of how to sustain healthy Flagstaff.
ecosystems and minimize
McCullough continued from page 4
mile section of the Pacific Ocean, McCullough volunteered in small business development, helping islanders
with a boat repair shop, a machine shop and handmade
exports.
During his two years there, he met his wife, Macrina,
who worked as a representative for the Peace Corps.
McCullough joined his brother Mark, a member of the
Babbitt Brothers Trading Company Board of Directors,
in the family insurance business.
By 1990, McCullough found himself working with a
Babbitt company again, this time as the insurance carrier
for Babbitt Ranches. “I write the property and casualty
insurance policies for the ranch equipment, vehicles and
buildings.”
McCullough has three children and two grandchildren.
As Babbitt Ranches celebrates 125 years, he says he feels
very appreciative to be part of its rich history. “It’s overwhelming to look at my grandchildren and realize they
are sixth-generation Arizona Babbitts, fifth-generation
Arizona natives, and literally following in the footsteps of
their great, great, great grandfather.”
Photo courtesy Jim Jennings
500 Babbitts continued from page 1
Family members wore color-coded nametags identifying to which of
the five brothers they were related. Flags donning ranch brands were
created representing each of the brothers.
The event planning began in September and finished 15 minutes
before the party. “We used snail mail, email, Facebook and lots
of phone calls. It was a long process of getting names and people
together. The last reunion was 25 years ago,” said Dorn.
Besides Dorn and West, organizers included Ruth McCarty, Rayma
Sharber, Stephanie Erickson, John Beuerle, Sally Veazey, Deanne
Despain, Linda Woods and Meg Crossman.
“Getting everybody together was worth every bit of the work we put
into it,” said Crossman, a Bilby family member and descendent of
David Babbitt. “It was a joy being together and feeling so proud of
our family.”
On April 7, 1886, David and Billy Babbitt stepped off the Atlantic and Pacific Rail in Flagstaff and wired “We’ve found the future!”
More than a century later, Flagstaff photographers captured what that
future looks like.
Reunion photos courtesy Tom Alexander Photography
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 12
Babbitt Ranches
Approaches
Communities
with a Statement
of Awareness
Appreciating that our land owners, and organizaactions have an impact on tions.
human communities and We also recognize a
the environment, Babbitt responsibility and obligation
Ranches holds our long- to the broad regional perstanding tradition of respect spective. It is in this context
for our relaof community
tionships with
that relationships
the natural and
Article IX are formed and
social communiquality regional
Priceless
ties in the highplanning
can
Values
est regard.
begin.
With yourself, with
Guided
by family and friends, with Thus,
we
our Statement the community and with a c k n o w l e d g e
of
Aware- the environment, one this Statement of
ness, Babbitt way or another and in Awareness in an
the end, relationships
Ranches coneffort to operate
are all there is.
siders its future
with the utmost
—Bill Cordasco
and
regional
consider ation
planning with
for each other
state and federal
when
making
agencies, and land owners. decisions and taking action.
The 2011 Babbitt Times The philosophy of Babbitt
Review helps tell the story Ranches is to honor relationof who we are, what we do, ships through our behavior,
why we do it and how we do acknowledging that we are
it, as well as the stories of separate, yet connected. As
agencies and organizations such, we will remain aware
with whom we coordinate of others’ goals and objecas revealed through conver- tives as we work together
and independently to be
sations with individuals.
As stated in Article IX of effective land stewards today
The Constitution of Bab- while setting the standard
bitt Ranches, Community, for future generations.
Economy and Ecology are Through our efforts of
listed among our Priceless learning and understanding,
Values. We understand we are better able to join,
we are part of a large and share and be a part of the
diverse regional community community. —BC
including the environment,
Dinner Song
“The grub that you get is beans and cold rice
And the CO Bar steak cooked up very nice;
August 2011
Weather Forecast Calls for Neutral Conditions
With no El Nino (warmer oceanic temperatures) and no La Nina (cooler oceanic temperatures) in the forecast, the Climate Prediction Center is calling for near-normal temperatures and precipitation for the rest of
2011 across the Colorado Plateau. However, for parts of northern Arizona, especially in the Little Colorado
Valley of far eastern Coconino County and Navajo County, meteorologists say average conditions may do little
to help alleviate the drought, causing this area to enter into severe drought conditions.
Photo courtesy Dan Boone
Today is Today in Cinematography
Starting with the text of the poem, God's Breath, and
emerging from the nighttime sky, Babbitt Ranches
and Northern Arizona University are creating a short
movie that brings forth the essence of the community
of Babbitt Ranches.
NAU Bilby Research Center filmmaker Dan Boone
describes the project. “From a sweeping view atop
Mesa Butte, the pre-dawn stars are outshined by the
rising sun as it lifts from the horizon. A slow timelapse pan of the landscape begins.”
The view moves across the landscape of the CO Bar
as the weather and seasons change. Words are seen
to form in the clouds and sky; these are the ten articles of The Constitution of Babbitt Ranches.
“A continuous pan of the landscape from sunrise to
sunset is condensed into four minutes as we watch the
sun set to the west,” said Boone. “Night falls and we
hear the coyotes yip from the top of Mesa Butte, the
geographic center of the CO Bar.”
Poetry, heart and sophisticated filmmaking technologies are combined in this short film to convey a deep
connection to the land and a commitment to land ethics. The movie is being filmed and edited by Ryan
Belnap and Boone, with music by Scott Balsi.
And if you don’t like that you needn’t complain
For that’s what you get on the CO Bar range.”
Bonnie Stevens thanks the Babbitt family, friends and communities of Babbitt Ranches for their time and support in capturing the stories of the
Babbitt Times Review. Special thanks to graphic artist Andi Kleinman for her careful and creative design in the layout of these publications.
Snapshots Through the Years