Will Lockridge, husband of Grace Phelan Lockridge (youngest daughter of Daniel and Annie Phelan) with his young daughter Kewpie (Agnes). He did the original survey for RR from Williams, AZ to Grand Canyon. Henrietta Phelan Smith (Loy) eldest daughter of Ed and Sarah Phelan. Camelle (Tommie) Phelan youngest daughter of Ed and Sarah Phelan. She was later Sister Virginia Elizabeth. The Little Big Horse was captured from a wild herd of miniaturehorses by my Grandfather Smith and Uncle Jess Smith and brought out of the Grand Canyon.
Photo & story courtesy of Barbara Ohlwiler
I remember Uncle Will and Grace. One summer while we were living at the Grand Canyon, I got to spend some days by myself with them in their little cabin (home) in the woods someplace between Williams and the Canyon. There were special memories as: each evening Will built a fire in their large fireplace where he popped corn is an open kind of wire basket; or make a batch of taffy over the kitchen stove, pour it out onto a large marble slab and until it cooled enough to begin pulling it — a most amazing process to me. Then the three of us sat before the fire eating whatever he had made while he told wonderful stories about some of his prospecting experiences. As a 13 year old, I was in total awe. It was also a very special time in my life because I was ALONE with these two wonderful people. (No memory of being homesick or lonesome). I slept in a little room in the back. There was a tin room over the house and each night it rained. The sound of rain on the tin room is wonderful! Kewpie (Agnes) was the most beautiful girl I think I had ever seen. When she was a baby, her brothers called her Kewpie – a name that she carried forever. I never had contact with her but learned many years later that she had married, and was living in Cincinnati, OH – about the time I was in my early years there.
by Emily Phelan
The Ol’ Pioneer
The Triannual Magazine of the Grand Canyon Historical Society
Volume 20 : Number 1www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Spring 2009
Dear Mary, The recent article in The Bulletin for October was of great interest to me, especially the article on the Red Butte Airfield. In 1941 I had just graduated from high school and returned from Wasatch Academy in Utah, to my home at Grand Canyon, and was looking for a job. I was told they were looking for someone to work at the air field, in the office, and since I had just finished taking a business course, I was hired. I was only there a short while as I got a better and more permanent position at Babbitt’s at the Grand Canyon—and since I did not have a car and finding a ride to the airport was difficult, I opted to work in town. I don’t remember a lot about the air field as I spent my time in the office. My two sisters were born at the Grand Canyon and I was born in Williams as was my mother, Grace Lockridge Moore. My sis and I grew up at the Canyon and spent many happy hours there. I would not trade those years for anything, as they were the best. Since Grand Canyon was a village of about 250 people in the winter time— and of course grew to about 500 in the summer with all the summer help and tourists—our winters were quiet.
Grand Canyon Historical Society
2012 Hall of Fame Award for Community Service
William H. Lockridge was a surveyor of legendary proportions. His surveys of the Grand Canyon Railway and most of northern Arizona mining claims filed during the late 1800s and early 1900s are still a matter of record in the Coconino and Yavapai County Recorder offices. “Pop” Lockridge finally settled into the Grand Canyon area. He and his family became a cherished part of the community and served it well in many capacities. In those fledgling years residents and the community frequently needed property, homestead, and claim surveys and cash was always in short supply. Those who needed help the most were recipients of his generosity and skills at no cost or in trade for community services. In this way his skills and those of others benefited the grand Canyon School and other community buildings. Although times were hard “Pop” in his way, helped to make the Grand Canyon community a better place in which to live.
1965 Mt. Bill Williams Tourist Guide
full paper click here –
Keeper of the Family 