Heber–Overgaard is a census-designated place (CDP) in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Situated atop the Mogollon Rim, the community lies at an elevation of . The population was 2,898 at the 2020 census. Heber and Overgaard are technically two unincorporated communities, but as of the 1990 census, their proximity led to the merged name of "Heber–Overgaard".
Heber was settled in 1883 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and the town is named after either Heber J. Grant or Heber C. Kimball, both prominent members of the LDS church. Overgaard, adjoining Heber, was settled ca. 1936 and was named after the owner of the first sawmill, Kristen Kristensen (Chris) Overgaard.
Heber–Overgaard's early economy was founded on dry farming and ranching while tourism, retirement and timbering are the basis for present-day industry.
History
Founding
In March 1873, Mormon pioneers from Utah were sent to the Little Colorado River area under the direction of Horton D. Height. In 1876, a large group of these settlers established four settlements on the Little Colorado River, which they named Brigham City, Sunset, Obed, and Allen's Camp (Joseph City).. In Allen's Camp, a dam had been built on the Little Colorado River in April, but high waters in July washed it out. By August, many settlers had returned to Utah. Eight married couples and six single men were all that remained in Allen's Camp. By 1882, the Obed settlement had collapsed and both Brigham City and Sunset were near collapse due to several years of drought. John Bushman, of Allen's Camp, was sent by Lot Smith, then president of the Little Colorado Stake, to scout the forests to the south in anticipation of relocation. Dry farming in the forested mountains was thought to be easier due to higher rainfall, lush grasses, and plentiful timber.
On December 6, 1882, Bushman set out for the forest with five brethren: W.C. Allen, J.H. Richards, J.C. Hansen, H. Tanner, and J.E. Shelley. Upon arrival they began digging wells in search of water. They were later joined by Hans Nielson, Lehi Heward, and John Scarlet. By April 13, 1883, two cabins had been built and grain planted, but only four families remained (Heward, Scarlet, Nielson, and Shelley). Bushman never settled in the area, but he and his family contributed time and encouragement to the local settlers. The first summer, houses were built, land cleared, and corrals constructed. Crops were planted not only for food, but also to barter for goods that could not be made at home. The growing season was four months long.
In 1887, Heward abandoned the settlement and relocated to Pine, Arizona. He was urged to do so because of the Pleasant Valley War. Buckskin Canyon, where he had settled, was named after the buckskin chaps his wife Elisabeth had made for him. Scarlet was next to leave, in 1888. His wife Lulu had become ill in June 1885. This may have contributed to his subsequent departure. In 1887, he was mentioned to have joined the posses of Joe McKiney's, under-sheriff for C.P. Owens. In 1889, Nathan, Alva, and Samuel Uriah Porter, arrived in Heber from St. Joseph (Joseph City). They grew crops of corn and potatoes between Heber and St. Joseph. The following year brought the Penrod and Sharp families from nearby Wilford. Samuel Porter would later describe the Penrods as anti-Mormon, and the Sharps as dishonest. In 1898, Hans Nielson abandoned his estate on the west bank of the Black Canyon where today's SR 260 enters town. Childless, Hans Nielson had been the first presiding elder for what became the Heber branch of the Joseph City Ward. James Shelley homesteaded land comprising the center of Heber and south down the Black Canyon. Of the original four pioneer families, starting out with four head of cattle, three daughters, and a few worldly possessions, James and Margaret Shelley were the only family to make Heber a long-term commitment.
Early Heber
In 1882, Heber J. Grant was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Early in his service in the quorum he made many trips to Arizona, earning the title "The Arizona Apostle". On one such trip, he passed through the settlement on his way to Phoenix, and stayed with the Shelleys in their cabin. The townspeople latter named their settlement after Grant.
An alternative version of Heber's name origin is that John Scarlett named the settlement after Heber C. Kimball, former chief justice of the State of Deseret.
The post office in Heber was established in 1890, and on September 11, 1890, James Shelley was appointed the first postmaster of Heber. Mail was brought by buckboard every Wednesday from Holbrook to Heber, then sorted and distributed. This duty was performed by Shelley, in addition to being a farmer, cattleman, husband and father.
Marion and Clarence Owens came to farm in Heber with their families in 1891. The following year, two practicing polygamists arrived from Utah to escape prosecution. One was called "Brother Luck". In 1893, Joseph Porter arrived in Heber to help his brother, Samuel Porter, with his farm. Also in 1893, John Nelson occupied a ranch in Brookbank Canyon, and the Baca family settled near the head of Black Canyon. Nelson and partner Nicholas Valentine, were in the sheep business, and the Porters hauled their wool to the Holbrook railroad.
Many settlements were located in the fertile cattle ranching land and farmlands of Black Canyon. Potatoes, corn, milk, and eggs were the livelihood of many families. Potato fields were located Buckskin Canyon, near the present-day Buckskin Artist Community. Cornfields and large gardens were where the present-day High School ball fields and Tenney's Trailer Park are located. All available land near town and in forest clearings was converted to farmland. Wilford, Jersey Gulch, Baca Ranch and present-day Potato Patch were favorite locations.
During this period, locals were fearful of the Apache Native Americans. Food was said to be given to all natives who passed through town, in order to keep the peace. Travel to and from St. Joseph was sometimes perilous due to outlaws and quicksand. Horses were the primary mode of transportation, and horse thieves were a major problem.
In 1891 John Hoyle, born Johann Frederick Heil, an immigrant from Baden, Germany, and former cook for the Hashknife Outfit, opened the first Heber store. He was called "Hoyle" because some cowboys had trouble pronouncing his name. In addition to his store, he had a farm located down Buckskin Wash. Hoyle had relocated to Heber from the failed Wilford, Arizona settlement, 7 miles south of Heber, where he had a store and ranch. Samuel Porter helped him on his farm, and hauled freight to and from Holbrook. He ran the store until his death on August 2, 1912, of paralysis (possibly polio). He had no heirs to claim the land in the United States. Through a German consulate, twenty-eight distant heirs were located and $3,046 was divided among them.
May 1898 was so dry that water was hauled from wells in Wilford for household use. Heber wells still had enough for livestock. A small reservoir had been built below town, and filled up when water ran down the Black Canyon. A diversion dam was built to divert water from the wash to the ditch. When the rains finally came in July, the Independence Day celebration had cause for additional celebration. Residents celebrated by firing guns and firecrackers, and holding a dance that evening. Years later, the 4th of July would remain just as large a celebration in Heber. Alva Porter's Farm eventually became the rodeo grounds, where present-day Mogollon High School sits. During celebrations, the community roped calves, rode bucking horses, held pistol shooting contests, foot races, and dances.
20th century
In 1904, severe drought caused hundreds of cattle belonging to the Aztec Land and Cattle Co. to die from thirst and hunger. During the spring, drinking water had to be hauled from 15 miles away. Many pioneers became disheartened and left the area.
By the 1930s, Heber had become a logging town. Horses were used to haul logs up until 1965. Logging and ranching were the predominant industries until the mid-90s, at which time the Mexican spotted owl injunction was put on the Sitgreaves National Forest. Bill Porter built the first sawmill in Heber just south of present-day HWY260 along the Black Canyon. This ran until 1935, when it burned down. In 1946, Lorin Donald (Donnie) Porter relocated his Wagon Draw sawmill to Heber. It ran until 1984, when a change of ownership was soon followed by bankruptcy.
Chris Overgaard moved to Arizona in 1936, "lured by the lush stands of Ponderosa". Modular mill pieces were hauled by train to nearby Holbrook, and then transported by wagon to "Overgaard's stop". Originally called "Oklahoma Flats", the town later changed its name in honor of Overgaard. The sawmill was assembled across SR 260 from the present-day Overgaard Food Center. Overgaard ran the sawmill until financial reversals resulted in its sale. The sawmill was replaced by a senior center that was lost in the Rodeo–Chediski Fire in the summer of 2002. The Rim Country Senior/Community Center has since been rebuilt.
The post office in Overgaard was established on October 14, 1938. William T. Shockley served as the first postmaster in 1938, followed by Christ Overgaard in 1939.
On February 1, 1971, the local sheriff's posse formed a committee to promote the construction of a Fire Department for the Heber–Overgaard area. By March, land was secured for the location of the new fire department. In February 1972, the posse disbanded because some members had moved out of the area. In early 1973, the newly formed American Legion Post 86 took over the task of forming a fire department and fire district for the area. They obtained the signatures necessary to call an election to form a fire district. A petition was used to propose the formation of a fire district to the County Board of Supervisors. The American Legion put up the funds for an election. On June 4, 1973, by unanimous vote, the Heber–Overgaard Fire District was established. It had an area of 102 square miles. On June 14, Ivan Wilson was elected as the first fire chief of the new district, and Larry Rhodes was the secretary-treasurer. Walt Downs and John Shaffery Sr. were the first to sign up as firefighters.
The first Fourth of July parade was held in 1976. The parade has become one of Heber's most popular ways to celebrate Independence Day, drawing crowds upwards of 20,000. In recent years, the parade and fireworks displays have been moved to the weekend nearest the 4th of July as a convenience to non-locals.
On July 4, 1980, Les Parham, of Heber–Overgaard, put on his first of 39 years of fireworks displays, his last being on July 6, 2019. Fundraising was spearheaded by the Heber-Overgaard Chamber of Commerce and was solely paid for by the contributions of viewers who enjoyed the show. The first show was held in what was once known as the Porter softball field, at the southwest corner of Parkview and HW260, to an audience of several hundred. Today, an audience in the thousands views the display at the Mogollon High School fields.
In 1988, Heber–Overgaard celebrated its first Oktoberfest event at Tall Timbers County Park. Originally taking place in October, the festivities were eventually moved to September as a convenience to seasonal visitors. The event primarily consists of food, live music, a beer garden and arts and crafts booths.