Flames
leaped three hundred
feet into the night sky near
Kings Ranch about 6:30 p.m.
on Valentine’s Day, 2004.
Some twenty-five patrons in
the Apacheland restaurant
escaped the fire unharmed.
Once again a devastating
fire has become a part of this
movie set’s history.
Apacheland burned to the
ground for the second time
in its forty-three year history.
The fire left only a few
buildings standing. Ironically
the little white chapel used in
Elvis Presley’s film “Charro”
survived for the second time.
Other buildings survived the
fire at the west end of the
movie set. The fire reportedly
began somewhere near
the restaurant in an electrical
box. The Apache Junction
Fire District was still putting
out hot spots on Sunday
morning.
The fire was devastating to
owners Ed and Sue Birmingham
and their employees.
They have always prided
themselves so much in preserving
the movie history of
the area. Apacheland was a
special place to many people.
It was a place were memories
of our silver screen cowboy
heroes came alive and reminded
us of how important
their impact was on our lives.
Television series such as Wyatt
Earp with Hugh O’Brien,
Wanted Dead or Alive with
Steve McQueen, Have Gun
Will Travel with Richard
Boone, The Virginian, Rawhide,
and several episodes of
Little House on the Prairie...
Tom
Kollenborn - is a noted author and historian of
the Superstition Wilderness. He is also one of the
leading experts on the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
legend and has written numerous articles and books
about the Apache Trail and related history. Tom
shares his experience with the public every week in
the