Bert Lauzon: Early Days and Mining -- Adventurer, Guide, Ranch Hand

Bert's knowledge of mining went hand in hand with his interest in geology. In his notes he commented on the rocks and landforms.

	Jan. 28 Building trail at head of Carbonate Canyon with valuable fossil specimens.
12/28/1911 We lined the two boats over a bad rapid at camp this morning. Got in to the ice water up to my neck. Trockolite that the river runs in. A strata of Serpentine capped by lime extends down both sides of the river for about 3 miles. Got to Tepechs Creek [Tapeats] before lunch. On the lower side of Tepech is an uplift where the Algonkians show for a mile or so.

At Diamond Creek, one hundred and thirty-eight miles from the Bright Angel Trail, they hiked out to Peach Springs to get provisions and met the Nelson brothers.

1/5/1912 Left at 9 a.m. with a 20 lb. pack for Peach Springs. Hiked 7 hrs. up the 23 mile trail to the R.R. [railroad]. A little woman at the pump station gave us supper. We were sure hungry and tired. Met three good men of the Nelsons who gave us beds. The old gent met Stanton when he was going down the river. Sent some telegrams.

1/6/1912 Got grub from different citizens. Bill said if we stayed over he and John would go down with us. John and I shod the team while Ed and Emery were taking pictures. Mr. Nelson was up in the Eve.

Hiking out at Diamond the party would have passed the remains of the Farley Hotel. In the years to come, accompanying two photographs of the hotel, Hubert Lauzon (Bert's oldest son) wrote the following:

The Arizona Good Roads Ass'n was trying to promote auto travel in Arizona. They traveled the state putting up signs and publishing maps indicating roads which might be passable by auto. This expedition followed the old wagon road from Peach Springs down Peach Springs Canyon and Diamond Creek Canyon to the Colorado River. This party consisted of C.D. Hamilton of L.A. [Los Angeles], Cal, Harry Locke of Bisbee Ariz. and John Nelson of Peach Springs, who was the guide...
A man named Farley built a small hotel at the mouth of Diamond Creek in 1884. Tourists were taken from the R.R. at Peach Springs by team and wagon. This hotel operated until 1889. This was no doubt the first hotel in the Grand Canyon.
On August 20 in 1940 a river party conducted by Norman Nevills camped here. Barry Goldwater was a member of that party. Goldwater stated in his journal that they burned the remains of the wooden floors and the old privy. Burned by the help of a future Senator and Presidential candidate. When we were there on the 1956 River trip all that remained were rusty nails and broken glass.

[NAU.PH.96.3.25.55] Farley Hotel at the mouth of Diamond Creek, November 23 1912.

Farley Hotel at the mouth of Diamond Creek, November 23 1912. (Click to close)

On January 14th, 1912 Bert wrote:

Left Greeg Ferry just in time to miss helping Greeg raise his ferry. Ran Wallapai Rapids. They were a cinch. Camped at Old Benillo Ferry at the mouth of Virgen River. Camped for night at upper end of Boulder Canyon 10 miles long.

Four days later the party arrived at Needles, California and completed their journey.

Click Bert's journal on the right to read another entry, or "Next" to continue.