Aztec Ruins Administrative History

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC

Custodian Miller had the misfortune of settling in at Aztec during a winter season with the most severe weather on record in northwestern New Mexico. Deep snows and extreme subzero temperatures played havoc with new and ancient structures on the monument and virtually closed the miserable dirt entrance road for a month. Miller laid a temporary board walk across the courtyard of the ruin so that intrepid visitors braving the wintry conditions would not sink up to their ankles in slush and mud. A helper dragged a scraper by hand to clear trails around the monument. [23]

Custodians Faris and Miller were convinced that Aztec Ruins National Monument would not be fully developed, bringing greater recognition to the installation and economic benefits to the neighboring community, until the dirt entrance road was paved. The mile-long road was negotiable when the weather was dry. Otherwise, getting to the monument by vehicle was challenging. For years, Faris lobbied state officials for help, even resorted to grading the road himself, all to no avail. Miller likewise made little immediate headway in obtaining state help to improve the road. Ultimately, however, his agitation led to a meeting among the San Juan County Commissioners, local businessmen, and the governor of New Mexico, Clyde Tingley. The outcome was a promise from the governor that, if the commissioners would secure title to land for right-of-way, he would see that a decent road was constructed. In May 1937, Miller reported to Southwest Monuments headquarters that he had the right-of-way, the fences were set back, and "we are waiting for the road." [24]

Shortly, grading and leveling work on the approach road began and continued through June and July. Aztec merchants bought, erected, and maintained several signs directing travelers to the monument. However, it was not until a year later that the road finally was seal-coated, ending years of complaint.

The new entrance road and New Mexico Highway 550 from Farmington through Aztec to Durango, paved at the same time, and a national climate of rising well-being accounted for a good year of visitation in 1938. More than 20,000 persons registered at the monument. Across the road from the entrance, the Westward Ho Curio Store opened in an Abrams building. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest P. (Doc) Josey hoped to benefit from the new tide of tourism with craft items, sandwiches, and soda pop.

The diplomatic skills of the custodian at Aztec Ruins were tested in balancing the desires of the curious traveling public to be educated about the Anasazi heritage, which the facility helped preserve, and those of individuals and organizations wishing to make use of the restored Great Kiva for personal enjoyment not related to the monument's intent. Public usage fostered good will essential to the success of a government holding within a settled area; the fact that the structure was not aboriginal outweighed fear of profanation. Miller was successful in this delicate intermeshing of needs. While general visitation climbed, an increasing after-hours use of the Great Kiva occurred. The Odd Fellows, Boy Scouts, Federated Women's Clubs, Rebekahs, American Legion, Masons, assorted church groups, and unidentified families met, prayed, or were married in what a Santa Fe newspaper termed "a heathen temple." [25] At the request of the Aztec Chamber of Commerce, the 25¢ entrance fees were waived for persons attending Easter sunrise services in the Great Kiva. [26]

During the war years, visitation expectedly dropped precipitously. It reached its lowest level of 4,574 persons in 1944 (see Appendix K). Entrance fees again were waived for those in military uniform and for Native Americans. [27]