Below are two photos showing the inscription on the top of the well that’s in the wash which parallels the Bluff Trail in McDowell Mountain Park. It appears that one set of markings is the date of construction, March 2, 1942, but there are some other markings to the left of the date which I can’t make out either in the photo or examining the well in person. I tried to increase the contrast in the second photo to make it easier to read.
Gary Wietgrefe says:
This was likely dug by the P-Bar ranch. Perhaps “P -” is what is inscribed before the date. The P-Bar Ranch, likely got the “P” from Mr. Pemberton who owned some of the land that ultimately became the ranch encompassing McDowell park and much of Fountain Hills. The P-Ranch had a well at the main ranch, another by Dixi Mine, and likely this was dug between the two before they dug the well by the current Fountain Hills High School in 1946(??).
October 16, 2014 — 2:17 pm