Desert Messenger

Route 72. As northern Yuma County's "grader man" Jack went to Tex May, District Supervisor of the Arizona Highway Department in Quartzsite and asked him to talk with his supervisors in Phoenix about authorizing Jack to use one of their bulldozers for his "idea". Approval was granted and, in between his responsibility of grading and main- taining the many county roads assigned to him, Jack went to work on his idea. Across the desert, up and down and over many dry washes, Jack cleared trees, greasewood bushes, and cactus- es carving a passable road that would shorten the distance from Quartzsite to Parker via a dirt road (now Plomosa Road) thru Bouse by 19 miles. Not only was Jack a man of vision but he was also someone who believed in commu- nity service. Soon travelers between Quartzsite and Parker, as well as be- tween Yuma and Parker, would be sav- ing nearly 35 minutes in travel time. Jack was also aware of the fact that when a child graduated from Quartz- site's elementary school, in order to continue their education, would have to leave home and board with family or friends in towns with a high school. Having two children of his own, this was unacceptable to Jack. When completed, Jack's dirt road was well used by Quartzsite's townsfolk. The new road was so well traveled that it was added to Jack's schedule of roads to be regularly graded. A group of Quartzsite and Parker businesspeople, 16 www.DesertMessenger.com November 5, 2014 When in Quartzsite during the "Snow- bird Season" (October through April) you may fi nd yourself on Arizona's State Route 95 (also known as Central Bou- levard thru Quartzsite) stuck in traffi c behind several motorhomes, a variety of pickups with a camper or towing a trail- er, and many, many cars with license plates from a variety of states. Before 1953, the road between Quartzsite and State Route 72 was a one-lane dirt road bulldozed by visionary Jack Curtis, an employee of the Yuma County High- way Department. Jackson Franklin Curtis was born in Geronimo, Graham County, Arizona on July 3, 1907 to Samuel J. and Mabel N. (Bell) Curtis, the eldest of seven children. The family moved to Bouse in the 1930s where Jack worked in the local mines before going to work for the Yuma County Highway Depart- ment maintaining the many dirt roads in northern Yuma (now La Paz) County. When the United States entered World War II, Jack and his brothers Dannie and John joined the U.S. Army. Eugene and Charles signed with the Navy. In 1945, with his bride Floyce I. Ricks, Jack returned to the Arizona des- ert he so much loved where he resumed his job with the Yuma County Highway Department. In 1950 Jack came up with the idea of bulldozing a road, parallel with the Ari- zona Light and Power Company's (Ari- zona Public Service in 1952) high-line power poles from Quartzsite to State Jack Curtis' idea: SR 95 from Q to SR 72 Excerpts from "In the Shadow of Saguaros" by Rosalee Oldham Wheeler "In the Shadow of Saguaros" Vol. I & II are now available exclusively at the Tyson's Well Museum and Reader's Oasis Book Store Voices from The Past in Quartzsite, AZ Best Comfort Shoe 928-276-1267 80 W. Sunset, Quartzsite South of Herb's Hardware TELIC • OOFOS Clogs, Sandals, Z-Straps, Flip Flops, Dreams Located in the Reflexology Bldg. AS SEEN AT Big Tent! NOW OPEN! Mon-Fri 10-4 www.BestComfort.Shoe.com David Zarkou, DPM Foot and Ankle Surgery PODIATRY (928) 669-3033 At La Paz Medical Services 150 E. Tyson Road, Quartzsite Fridays 9 am – 5 pm At Parker Professional Bldg 1713 Kofa Ave, Parker Mon, Tues, Wed 8 - 4:30 pm At TriValley Medical Center Harquahala Road, Salome 2nd and 4th Thurs each month Corner of Moon Mt. & Cowell • Quartzsite • 928-927-5400 Introducing "Finger Candy" with lots of colors and shapes! Add Sparkle to your Nails and Toes for the Holidays We continue to offer Acrylics, Gel Polish by OPI and Pedicures. Make your appointment today! Nails by Jo come in and see what's new! SEE JACK PAGE 22 Food Handler Classes Food Handler cards are required for every person who handles or pre- pares food, and/or handles the eating utensils and food preparation equipment, including dishwashing. The cost is $15.00 per year and the card must be posted inside the food unit. Cards must be obtained prior to opening. Quartzsite, AZ: The Food Handler class and test will be given at: Quartzsite Senior Center, 40 Moon Mountain Road, on the following WEDNESDAYS: Nov. 12 @ 10:00 am & 2:00 pm Dec. 3, 10, & 17 @ 9:00am & 10:30am Jan. 7, 14, 21, & 28 @ 9:00am & 10:30am Note: If you need a Spanish video and test, please contact the Health Department at 928-669-1100. Spanish classes are available in Parker at the Health Department, 1112 Joshua Ave., #206, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 am - 4:00 pm. Wednesdays from 7:00 am - 4:00 pm.

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