On October 29, Friends of the Tonto hosted our first ever Open House at Shoofly Village Ruin, a recreation site we have adopted on the Payson Ranger District.
71 visitors came out for the event, some from as far as Gold Canyon and Apache Junction.
Scott Wood, Friends President and retired Tonto National Forest Archaeologist, gave two tours of the ruin, giving background information and answering lots of questions.
This Open House was given in conjunction with our project to construct a pipe barrier around the parking area, to prevent vehicular access to the ruin. We have held a fundraising campaign for the last two months and are very near our goal of $14,500.
The event was publicized through announcements and a live interview with Chris Higgins on KRIM radio, an interview with KJZZ’s Ron Dungan, posted on the radio station’s website, and posters at the Payson Ranger Station.
