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Valle Redondo, Round Valley
Arthur P. Romero World War II, & Korean Veteran My interest in the history of Springerville, dates back to the many times I stayed with my grandmother, "Mama Maria", on Saturday nights. I was in the range of six to ten years of age....Why Saturday nights? that was the night reserved for dancing in my home town. It was a big occasion, and everyone in town seemed to attend the "baile", which means dance in Spanish. I learned "first hand", information from one of the pioneers, who first settled in "Round Valley". The name Round Valley is from the Spanish translation: El Valle Redondo, which is exactly what it is. countless ages ago, there were many active volcanoes in that part of the Rockies. To the north of Springerville is the definite shape of an extinct earth vent, and its lava spread around. All around the valley, there are snow covered peaks, which remain so--until early summer. The elevation of that area ranges from six to twelve thousand feet above sea level. A good view of the valley is from atop a mountain known as: Flat-top, because of its flat crest. The Spanish populace called it: "La Loma de San Pedro" (St. Peter's mountain). The first homosapiens to inhabit the area were Indians. There is evidence of their culture in the form of potter, in the nearby caves formed by huge tumbling rocks of the once active volcano to the north. The next people to lay sight of the valley were the Spanish Conquistadores, led by Francisco de Coronado in search of the seven cities of cibola. As the monument--"Madonna of the Trails"--located in the "Times Square" of the community says: "Coronado pased through here in 1540 seeking for gold, but found fame instead." He discovered the world famous Grand Canyon, and was the first European to see buffaloes. He traveled from the central part of New Spain (Mexico) to the far stretches of the Kansas Plains, in search of the "yellow metal". In 1956 A.D. Round Valley (Valle Redondo) lost it's foremost resident-- "Don Juan Baca" (Mr. John Baca), who settled in what was to become Springerville, in 1861. He was seventeen at the time. His former residence had been in or near Socorro, New Mexico, along the Rio Grande. He lived in Round Valley ninety three years. Just think: almost a century in this small locale, and nothing on his grave to this effect. The present fathers of the valley should bolster pride in this man and say: Here lies the first citizen of our province, and buried with him, the early history of civilization. Another suggestion is to at least name a street after him--one he walked on almost every day for ninety three years. The second resident was a man with the surname of Milligan. He was there a short time with his family. Along the east bank of the Little Colorado River, moved the valley's third citizen-- a person by the name of Springer. He set up the first store or trading post, and thus, gave rise to a new name on the maps of the world, Springerville, Arizona! According to my Mama Maria, he wasn't there long either-- just long enough to leave his name. My own grandmother, Maria (Mary) Peña was among the first few settlers. Another name among the early American settlers is Pillar Carrillo. (Most of the people just mentioned left many descendents). Doña Rofina Serna was another. I too remember her. My brother, Clovis, tells me she was a Civil War widow. Her many children, and grandchildren, called her "Nana", or "Mi Nana". I used to know the derivative of that name--will have to check with my mother next summer (1959), when I visit her in Los Angeles. What have people done for a living in Round Valley? In the "early days", it was cattle country. Sheep have added to it's total income. Farming has been carried on to some degree, mostly for self-use. A saw-mill has been added to the valley. Lately, the tourist trade has the "upper hand", with several modern motels. They turn away many motorists during the exuberant Fourth of July celebrations. The profuse Independence Day exhibitions attract people from far and wide. Rodeos are held from July 2nd thru July 6th, with many local and out-of-state contestants competing for the coveted prize money. This sport was introduced by the Spaniards--probably to "let-off-steam", and to display some innate talents to friends and spectators.
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