PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Historic Buildings

The Fort

In January 1965 a handrail was installed on the interior stairway leading from the kitchen to the upper story of the fort. This was done as a safety measure. During the summer some plaster work on the fort's interior was repaired under contract. Other than routine maintenance, no other work on the fort was undertaken until the fall of 1969.

Between April 30 and May 1, 1969, Chief Architect Charles S. Pope (Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Branch of Restorations) inspected the monument. He met first with Ray Geerdes and Zion's Joe Davis. Pope also met with former Custodian Leonard Heaton who provided information on "hidden" work that had been done in the fort and on early decisions made regarding the fort. Pope also visited Bishop Owen Johnson of Moccasin, apparently for the purpose of tracking down historic photographs that might be in Church archives on Pipe Spring or on Lee's Ferry. (Owen Johnson's father and family lived at Lonely Dell Ranch and operated Lee's Ferry for 15 years. [2078] ) Pope commended Geerdes' transformation of Pipe Spring into a "living ranch," accomplished with NYC personnel and "a very minimal expenditure of funds." He discussed five problems the monument faced with regard to its historic structures: 1) provisions needed to be made for heating the fort during the winter; 2) the problem of dampness under the parlor needed to be addressed (northwest room of the north building, first floor); 3) efflorescence in the fort's stone walls at various places needed suppressing; 4) lighting of the fort needed more study; and 5) historic values of the three historic buildings needed to be maintained. [2079]

With regard to heating the fort, Pope recommended that forced-air electric wall heating radiators be installed, suggesting the forced circulation of air would aid in combating dampness. A new electrical wiring system was needed. Pope cut a hole in the floor of the parlor to study moisture problems and recorded humidity and moisture content of the wooden structures in the room. He recommended installing underfloor blowers with heat under the parlor and kitchen to address moisture. Regarding the efflorescence problem, Pope described it as "more unsightly than dangerous," but urged that an intensive investigation for waterproofing the west corner of the fort be made. [2080] He also noted dampness on the northwest walls, which were against earth fill. With regard to lighting (although the spotlights didn't seem to unduly bother him), Pope recommended more study.

Karl T. Gilbert, Jim Schaack, and Ray Geerdes discussed Pope's recommendations. Gilbert sent Regional Director Kowski comments on them in early 1970. The men objected to the electric wall-heaters that Pope recommended for the fort as they viewed them as incompatible with the historic atmosphere. Rather, they preferred the use of concealed baseboard heaters and installation of radiant heating elements in old wood heaters and the wood stove. They had no problems with the use of underfloor blowers, if utilized before and after visiting hours. With regard to lighting, electrifying kerosene lamps or other antique lamp fixtures was the preferred option. A work order for these improvements was submitted to the regional office, along with these comments. [2081]

During heavy rains in late August and early September 1969, a number of leaks in the fort roof were noticed. During October 1969, a contract was awarded to Dixie Lumber and Hardware of St. George to reshingle the fort with hand-split shakes. Work began on October 27 and was completed in early November.

The East and West Cabins

In May 1964 the roof of the west cabin was cemented (in place of mud) to better withstand strong winds. During the spring of 1965, more earth was applied to the roofs of both buildings to replace dirt washed away by rain. During March 1966, earth was again added to the roofs of the cabins to prepare for a stabilization treatment. On April 1 regional office Architect A. Norman Harp applied 100 gallons of a synthetic resin called "Pencapsula" to the earth roofs of the cabins. While some of the earth washed off the roofs, water did not soak through them. This offered far better protection to the cabins and artifacts exhibited in them.

The next mention of the cabins needing more than routine attention was made during the winter of 1968-1969. Heavy snow that winter aggravated erosion problems on the roofs of the cabins, which Ray Geerdes reported to regional office staff as "storm damage." He advised that the roofs be completely rebuilt during the summer of 1969, using NYC labor force to significantly reduce expenses. Work on the project began in July, with about 600 cedar posts gathered from the Johnson Canyon area, with BLM permission. [2082] Mel Heaton and David Johnson oversaw and worked with a NYC crew of 10 Navajo boys to cut, trim, and haul the logs to Pipe Spring. The group camped four nights in the canyon while cutting and trimming the logs. VISTA volunteers from Fredonia contributed $50 for the boys' food during their overnights. Work rebuilding the west cabin roof began in late August 1969, with the crew of boys doing most of the work. The cabin's roof was entirely removed and the poles were replaced with new cedar poles and coated with tar. A material called "Plomose Aggregate" was placed on top of the pole structure. Finally, a layer of Chinle clay was added to the roof. Geerdes reported the resulting structure was completely waterproof. [2083] Seasonal laborer Mel Heaton oversaw the roof project. Work on the east cabin's roof was temporarily postponed when Heaton had to be terminated for two pay periods in order to comply with personnel rules.

In March 1970 Jim Schaack recommended to Karl Gilbert that a burglar alarm be installed in the east cabin to guard the multitude of loose articles displayed there, but it is unknown if any action was taken.

Other Historic Resources

In early 1969 Ray Geerdes garnered Superintendent Hamilton's support for four restoration projects at Pipe Spring. The projects included the restoration of the Whitmore-McIntyre dugout, the rebuilding of the historic lime kiln, an expansion of the corral by the east cabin at its north side, and the reconstruction of the historic "outhouse" near the wall adjacent to the northeast entrance of the fort. Total cost for these projects was estimated to be $10,000. Hamilton endorsed and forwarded the proposal to Kowski in May. The lime kiln and dugout restorations were never carried out, however.