"Arizona is My Home"by Carrie Johnson

"Arizona is My Home"by Carrie Johnson

Once the air had cooled and the chores were done, on any typical summer night you could find my family fishing on the banks of the Verde River. My name is Carrie Johnson and I grew up at Childs Power Plant, close to where Fossil Creek and the Verde River meet.My father worked for Arizona Public Service. This provided my family the privilege of spending 25 years, a full quarter (the last quarter) living among the uniqueness and rich history of the place I call home.I learned at a young age that my family was my best friends in our tiny settlement (in the boom as I knew it), population 13. The entirety of our “hometown” was six small houses, the hydroelectric plant, an office and one small room that served as the post office, library and medical supply nestled among the huge cottonwoods on the Verde. I learned very quickly that school was a privilege. The drive to town was long and difficult.

Grade school was a full hour away! A journalist once described the journey as “an arduous trek not to be taken lightly”. This put education to a much higher importance to me knowing the effort it took to get there. I also had greater respect for my teachers and began early bringing them our garden’s harvests and the wildflowers along the way. Lucky for me, they were very understanding when mud slides and snowfall prohibited our travel. As I got older I began to learn and appreciate the history of my home. In 1907, construction of Childs Power Plant began lead by a woman engineer, Iva Tuft. Utilizing 250 men and 450 mules for mule trains, supplies were brought from as far away as Germany. Despite the great topographical difficulties, her work was a success. The plant went online June 18, 1909 and transmitted power for the first time over a long distance in Arizona. These facts were easy for me to remember even as a young child because she was one of the first women engineers and June 18th is my birthday. This historic marvel is believed to be greatly responsible for the progress and growth of Arizona.

Childs supplied electricity to Jerome and other small mining towns. In 1993, my home was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was an event that I will not soon forget. I was ten years old to the day and many important people came for a great celebration. If there were ever a town known for rural life and Arizona traditions I believe we were in it. Agriculture has always played a major role in my life. The vision I have of my home was swallowed by large fruit trees, grapevines and grass. We grew and canned our own vegetables from the garden, made our own bread and even butchered our own beef and fish. My sisters and I were all involved in 4-H and FFA.

The location of our home made it possible for us to experience the responsibility of raising market animals. Our best friends were a ranching couple that lived just on the other side of the river. They were as pioneering as the settlers in 1909 and taught me about life and true happiness. I always felt special when kids at school asked me where I lived. I loved taking my new friends from town down to my home to have a sleep over, and every girl in my class was invited to my birthday parties. There are really no words I can use to describe the pride and love I have of my “home town.” I learned so much just about life, taking responsibility and how to believe in my abilities. The beauty of the desert is captivating, and hidden in the canyons are some of the most unforgettable riparian areas. If I had not seen it my self I would believe such a place existed.

My motivation to continue my education comes from the experience of living in rural Arizona. I am currently studying animal science at the University of Arizona. The technology available today in agriculture has opened a new era in possibilities. I am extremely interested in animal reproduction and the advancements in genetics. By artificial insemination and embryo transfers we have the ability to advance herd production and bring the animal industry, one of our state’s longest standing traditions, to new heights. Education is still one of the greatest privileges I am enjoying and am thankful for the background that growing up in Childs has provided. Just as time changes all things, and going home is never quite the same, Childs now is only a memory.

My home has been removed and the lush green of great trees and grapevines is gone. In my mind on summer nights once the air has cooled and the work is done I still feel the urge to be on the banks of the Verde.