Robert Simpson to speak at May 17 Hiking Club meeting.
Sue Bush
Have you ever wondered what SaddleBrooke looked like before all the homes, golf courses and clubhouses? Then come hear Robert Simpson, a SaddleBrooke resident and historian, tell about the history of the first homesteaders, the early stage roads, the development of the Rail N Ranch, Golder Lake and Dam, the Charouleau Gap, Loma Serena, the Countess of Suffolk and more!
Robert’s interest in local history began over 10 years ago when on club hikes he considered who created Deer Camp and who owned the cattle there. He then lived near Loma Serena and wondered why that little hillside community was not part of SaddleBrooke. He talked to veterinarian Doc Sanders, rancher Joe Goff and Lloyd Golder III (all deceased) and learned so much that he began leading hikes with a historical narrative. The response was so positive that he gave up leading hikes and devoted his time to more research.
In doing his research Robert has met a variety of interesting people, such as John Nelson, William Sutherland and Joe Fanning and even learned of the Countess of Suffolk who, from her hilltop home by today’s Biosphere, gazed down on the beautiful valley that would become SaddleBrooke.
Robert is currently working on a book about SaddleBrooke/Catalina area history and has an article in the spring 2016 edition of the Journal of Arizona History titled Charouleau Gap. His talk will be at the HOA Activity Center at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17. Following the meeting, everyone is encouraged to go to the Agave Lounge at the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse for a drink. All SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch residents are invited to attend. For more information on SaddleBrooke Hiking Club meetings and activities contact Jan Springer at 825-1451 or [email protected].