Copyright © 2003
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website
Created By R. D. Reynolds
All Rights Reserved
Thank you for visiting Sedona Legend-
The Jack and Helen Frye Story!
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a historical narrative enhanced with photos presented for
educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the
United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor
does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.
While this web site is not "officially" affiliated with Red Rock State Park in any way, it was
envisioned and created to give park visitors a more indepth historical perspective in regard to
the former 700 acre Frye Ranch property.
1948
Sedona Legend is encouraged and supported by the Jack Frye Family, to include Jack's
daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack's late sister, "Sunny" Frye Thomas, the Helen Frye family,
and the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye.
Sedona's Celebrity Love Story!
This is the official not to mention only web portal in the world
dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!
The Frye Legacy-
a Lifetime of Accomplishment!
By Randall Reynolds
The Frye Ranch @ Sedona Arizona
Jack and Helen Frye truly lived the Sedona
dream long before this red rock scenic
wonderland was ever "discovered" and became
a popular destination. Sedona became the
utopia we know today only in the last 40 years.
But in the Frye era- Sedona was unspoiled,
remote and inaccessible. Only because the
Fryes had the luxury of an executive plane
were they able to escape to this true wild west
location for R & R and experience what was
then a well kept secret! To the left is one of
the most stunning photos I have ever seen of
Helen Frye. The actual location is difficult to
discern but it was captured somewhere on the
Frye Ranch. The earliest parcel of the Frye
Ranch was called Deer-Lick (now Cross Creek
Ranch Estates). This land adjoins Red Rock
State Park to the north and Cup of Gold (also
former Frye property) to south. Date is 1941.
This page is dedicated in part to Red Rock State Park Volunteer Judy Bemis (now passed away)
who never should be forgotten for her enthusiasm about the Frye history of Red Rock State
Park and her admirable efforts to pull together an early archive of information at the property.
To the (right and above) we see the Fryes at the second Sedona property they purchased where
Red Rock State Park is today. Certainly one of the very best photos ever taken of the Fryes
together at the ranch- they look relaxed and happy! It is not known exactly where on the ranch
it was taken but the new building behind Jack and Helen and the flagstone sidewalk are a clue.
I'm going to venture a guess of a demolished but remembered guest house near the current
Willow House. There are still flagstone walkways at this part of the ranch even today and during
the Frye era the entire area was carpeted with lawn (seen in the photo). Notice the robe on the
elaborate leather covered footstool to the left of the Fryes with the monogram “JF” (combined
into one letter) for Jack Frye. Jack had exquisite taste, as did Helen so it is not surprising to
see he had a monogrammed wardrobe. Jack Frye had a flare for fashion and his clothes were
always GQ in appearance and sharply tailored. Click on images for enlargements. Date is 1942.
Keep in mind the Sedona Ranch was a small part of the Jack and Helen's life. They had many
other irons in the fire in the 1940's. In 1938 Jack completed a major renovation on his 5-acre
Overland Park tudor in Kansas City (this the second of three homes he had there at various
times). By 1944 Jack and Helen were doing major renovations on their 30-room Washington
D.C. mansion (a 70-acre estate which sat across from the Potomac from the White House). At
the same time they maintained 4 ranches (3 in Arizona and 1 in Texas). The Sedona Ranch fell
somewhere in between all this overhead which one can imagine was dizzying to say the least!

Back to the Sedona ranch. In about 1943 Jack and Helen built a small bunk-house near the
Willow House for their many guests (long since torn down). The building was said to have been
of stucco-adobe as a witness (still alive) remembers. This structure was near the location of the
current Red Rock State Park shop and bunkhouse. By the mid-1940's this first Frye bunk-
house was removed and materials likely reused for a new red rock bunkhouse. Building
materials were in short supply during the war thus it is no surprise the new building was of red
rock which was widely available. This building was torn down in the 1970’s by Eckankar and the
current bunkhouse was erected with much of the original red rock on the same footprint.

The Fryes also renovated the Deer Lick Ranch buildings (currently at Cross Creek Ranch
Estates) and enlarged the Willow House (formerly built by the Schuermans). The first residence
the Fryes resided in and renovated at the ranch was the Armijo Homestead at Cross Creek as
this was the first ranch they bought in Sedona. They named it Deer-Lick Ranch because there
were natural salt licks on the property.

By fall of 1941 they had purchased the Schuerman Ranch farther north. From this point on
they made the Willow House their “headquarters” and the Armijo homestead and neighboring
smaller house was delegated as the ranch manager’s residence and the assistant ranch
manager's resident. This remained so until 1947 when the Fryes sold off this portion of their
ranch holdings to reduce maintenance. However at the same time they actually increased the
size of the ranch with other purchases and forest service land trades with their other larger
ranches (the Sunshine Ranch and the Spring Valley Ranch) near Flagstaff.

The Frye remained at the Willow House until 1948 when they moved up to the nearly completed
Apache Fires house. There was an old bunkhouse near the Armijo homestead that Helen and
Jack had renovated into a small guest cottage where Howard Hughes is thought to have stayed
one of the two times he is known to have visited the ranch. This house remains today but the
north lofted section has been added on. Below is a more detailed overview of the Frye Ranch.
Above we see the Frye Ranch from the knoll
where the Apache Fires house was built some
5-years later. The photo (from slide) was taken
in 1943, by Frye pilot Robby Robinson. You can
see the Willow House (right) which the Fryes
had renovated by then (they added the
chimney), and the small guest house, (center)
with a small barn, (to left). The white specks
are geese. Even though the image was taken in
the winter you can see the whole valley was
developed farm land. To the left is a better
photo of the Willow House likely taken by Jack
Frye (evident by exceptional 35mm image) Frye
was a professional photographer. The house was
named for the giant willow- long since removed
but during the Frye era the house appeared to
Helen Frye "like a doll house” dwarfed by a
tree which received its water from the
irrigation ditch at its base. Helen's mother
Maude is seen and stayed at the ranch several
times with Jack and Helen.  Helen's police dog
Sonja is seen (center). Note the lawns
surrounding the house in this scene.
Schuerman Ranch- (Smoke Trail) and the Willow House early 1940's
This structure is now used as the Park Manager’s residence at Red Rock State Park. The Fryes
expanded the modest dwelling by half before taking up residence (adding additional rooms and a
red rock fireplace). You can see the venetian blinds the Fryes had installed on the windows and
shutters which could be closed to secure the house when the Fryes were in New York City or
Washington D.C. The house almost burned down in the mid-70's when a friend of Helen's was
burning trash in the fireplace and caught the attic on fire. At the time, the water supply to the
house was off-line but had been just restored the day before, only because of this was the
historic 1930 house saved. The image above was taken pre-1948. See Page 1942 for another view.
Never Ending Construction Projects
Background on the Fryes
The Fryes Start Dating in 1938
William John Jack Frye and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., (Helen Varner) were guests at the
same cocktail party in the fall of 1938. At this party, Helen taunted Jack for the dullness of
TWA's advertising. This captured Jack's attention as he was always looking for ways to improve
his airline. Helen conveyed to Jack that his ads were stuffy and unappealing to the typical air
traveler, and Mrs. Vanderbilt had traveled all over the world frequently. Later that evening,
after returning home she proceeded to write Jack Frye a letter about consumer appeal in air
travel. This letter made such an impression on Jack Frye that it remained for many years
TWA's informal advertising manual! Later, Jack and Helen married. (You see, sometimes you
CAN win a man's heart by telling him how to run his business!) Helen served as Jack Frye's
"Rock of Gibraltar" in those tumultuous years, as well, a sounding board for the many TWA
corporate decisions which were made.
Mrs. Frye's influence was discernable in her efforts to help improve TWA's dining service. Her
idea was to cook food as appetizing as possible and deep freeze it. Later, it was re-heated and
served in flight. Helen Frye was a marvelous cook and enjoyed this talent her entire life! For
years after, perfecting this method, the airline served some of the finest in-flight-meals in the
industry. It has been said that Helen also designed (or helped design) uniforms utilized by TWA
Hostesses. This came about in regard by TWA to provide it's hostesses with day and night-time
attire. These were the days of the TWA Skysleepers and luxurious trans-continental and soon
after- transworld-airliners. The uniforms could also be altered to reflect dinner or non-dinner
flights. In the infancy of airline stewardess attire Helen used her fashion sense to come up with
a unique dual design uniform. A TWA Hostess would wear the smart outfit that had a lapel-
design that would fold up or down in front. Helen's intent was to provide a TWA Hostess
representative with a multi-purpose uniform. The top was worn one way during the day and
another way at night. The embossed "logos" on the lapels could be displayed in different ways.
Helen’s involvement with TWA was largely derived from interviews with Walt Gunn, a retired
TWA Captain. Gunn knew the Frye personally and was at several times one of Jack and Helen
Frye’s private pilots on their Electra Jr. NC18137. The smartly styled TWA uniforms and the
constant upgrading of TWA's dining services were just one of the efforts by Jack and Helen
Frye as a team to maintain a sterling visual image for TWA. Evidence of Helen’s efforts can be
found on more in depth on Page 1941.
Mrs. Frye Offers TWA Ideas
The Camelot Years of TWA
Jack and Helen's Frye’s marriage truly can be summed up as "the TWA years" (often referred
to as the Camelot years of TWA) as this was one of the most exciting and captivating periods of
TWA's rocky climb to the top of worldwide airline service! These years were some of the most
productive and glamorous in TWA's history. The Frye union was an asset and it greatly
benefited Jack Frye, at the helm of this remarkable company, with Helen Vanderbilt Frye
beside him. This liaison is evident when one noticed the nearly life size portrait of Helen
hanging over Jack's desk in his Washington D.C. office. This display was most unusual in the
corporate world Jack frequented and certainly showed his confidence in his wife.
Promoting Arizona
Jack and Helen both loved Arizona and spent time here as much as they could. As a matter of
fact Jack was partly responsible for the tourism in Arizona before the war. He heavily promoted
the state from 1924 on and later through TWA with its many Arizona stops as a "winter haven
escapes". Without this TWA publicity and transport service Arizona would never have become
the get-a-way for sun seeking "snowbirds" that it became before and after World War II.
A Home of Our Own
After their wedding, Jack and Helen started searching for a "home" of their own. Previously,
Jack lived in Kansas City and Los Angeles. Helen in South Pasadena (N.W. of  Hollywood) and
Lake Arrowhead California. They searched for months in Jack's personal Lockheed twin over
the regions of Southern California, New Mexico and Arizona. They were looking for a unique
tract of land with plenty of water for cattle. Of course it was on one of these trips that they
discovered the property which would become the Frye Deer Lick/Smoke Trail Ranch near what
is now known as Sedona Arizona.
Old Indian Trail
On Smoke Trail Ranch the Frye discovered an old Indian trail that followed Oak Creek. This is
the very trail at Red Rock State Park now called Smoke Trail. Helen and Jack discovered that
this trail had been used for hundreds of years by Indians and found evidence of campfires which
left heavy deposits of smoke on the adjoining cliffs and rocks. Also numerous Indian artifacts
were found by the Fryes. So intrigued and touched were Helen and Jack with this part of their
property that this parcel of their vast property eventually became known as Smoke Trail Ranch!
Although Jack and Helen owned two other ranches in Arizona to include the Sunshine and
Spring Valley Ranches the 2 adjoining Sedona ranches were their most favorite. At one point in
1948 Jack and Helen Frye owned over 50,000 acres of property in the state of Arizona alone per
a Frye 1945 Fortune magazine profile and another 1948 Arizona article!
Deer Lick and Smoke Trail Ranch
It must be stated for historic sake that the first ranch the Fryes bought in June of 1941 was the
old Armijo homestead and ranch where Cross Creek Ranch Estates exists today. The Fryes
named this ranch “Deer-Lick Ranch”. This name was chosen by Helen Frye and according to
locals there were likely natural deer licks on the property (salt deposits). It is not known when
the Fryes started using the name “Smoke Trail Ranch” but it applied more so to the northern
most part of the Frye properties. The name Deer-Lick utilized in the first 8 years or so until at
least until 1947. This name is reflected on county records as well as media archives. Jack Frye
continued to purchase all available adjoining land to his ranch even to the point of forest service
land trades with his other Arizona ranches. Early on in October of 1941, Jack Frye purchased
the sizable Fritz Schuerman Ranch farther north up the creek. It is thought perhaps after a
portion of the Deer Lick Ranch was sold in 1947 by the Fryes that they may have started calling
their remaining ranch Smoke Trail. The name was pretty well associated by 1948.
Custom Home
The Sedona ranch was developed slowly as Jack and Helen were not only celebrities who
entertained constantly but Jack was one of the busiest men in the United States. Eventually the
ranch grew to approximately 700 acres. During the first 8 years or so there were limited
comfortable accommodations on the ranch. Even though the Fryes started working with a
Santa Fe architect John Gaw Meem on a new home by late 1941. Unfortunately though, both
parties were too busy to follow through on any construction until 1946. There also were square
footage restrictions in effect during World War II to save needed war materials.
Living Quarters
During the war there were less restrictions of (enlargements and renovations) so the Frye’s
completely enlarged and renovated the Armijo homestead at what is now Cross Creek Estates.
Both this home and another former bunk house nearby were made of red rock and still exist to
this day. The bunkhouse Helen made into a charming guest house where it is thought Howard
Hughes stayed at least once when he visited the ranch.

There was another accommodation which was utilized on Deer Lick Ranch which is still part of
Red Rock State Park at the present. This is a small cottage called the "Willow House" in regard
to the large willow that sat next to it giving it the appearance of a doll house to Helen. This now
historic dwelling built before Helen and Jack's ownership in August of 1930 (per local Sedona
resident Jane Schuerman) was used a majority of the time before the Apache Fires house was
built. The Fryes started using it as their private ranch residence in the fall of 1941 and
completely renovated the small house and added a beautiful red rock fireplace on one end. This
house is still used at Red Rock State Park as the park manager’s residence. The Fryes also
early on built a small adobe guest house nearby for guests.

By the fall of 1941 Jack and Helen had already decided to build their newly planned home much
farther north above Oak Creek and it was there Jack wanted to center the ranch. The Armijo
portion of the ranch was close to the southern most end of the Frye property. The Fryes owned
all the property to the south of this and it is currently called Cup of Gold estates. There was
housing for the "help" in the buildings at Deer Lick Ranch until 1947 (when sold by the Fryes).
Also there was ranch hand housing near the Willow House in the form of an old red rock
bunkhouse residence. It is thought the Fryes built this residence for ranch help and Apache
Fires House workers as it is “missing" in early images. The current such bunkhouse at Red
Rock State Park is not the same Frye building but was instead rebuilt in the mid-1970’s with
much of the same red rock materials with a different footprint in roughly the same location.
Sedona was Isolated and Remote in 1941
In early Sedona the only telephone was at the U.S.F.S. office on Brewer Road. This old copper
line enabled the nearby Hart’s Store @ Forest and Brewer Road to have a public telephone (at
least this is my guess). Jack and Helen drove in to town to use this phone several times in the
earliest days of the Frye Ranch per local witnesses. (The Frye Ranch at that time had no
electricity as well). The Fryes did communicate by telegraph to and from the ranch and at least
once this transmission was from Flagstaff, per one telegram that still exists.

In the early 1940’s Jack Frye was heavily involved with TWA and the White House as engaged
with the war effort. It was crucial when he was at the Sedona Ranch that he was not isolated and
cut off with no outside communication. So from the very beginning the Fryes started
negotiating with the local phone company to install a line out to the ranch which was about 8
miles south of Hart’s Store. (The store is about a block south of the junction of 89A and 179 and
still exists). The phone company was resistant though as during the war they had limited
resources and materials and felt a line out to the Frye Ranch was unwarranted.  

Finally, in about 1943, after no luck with the local phone company Helen Frye got an ingenious
idea! She ordered copies of all of Jack Frye’s recent telephone bills from the TWA. She then
took these bills (which were exorbitant) to the local phone operation. After looking through the
bills the company officials nearly passed out. They realized running a line out to the Frye Ranch
would more than pay for itself and at that point the short-sighted phone company broke all
records installing the new line! At first the line was a party-line, later though, it became a
private line. The first party-line serviced other ranches between Deer Lick and Sedona like the
Kellogg/Duncan Crescent Moon Ranch at Baldwin’s Crossing (now Red Rock Crossing). This
was the very first rural residential Sedona telephone service brought to Sedona by Jack Frye of
TWA. This historic telephone line was installed at the Frye residence called the "Willow House"
and later in 1948 to the "House of Apache Fires". The line in essence was a TWA hotline from
the Sedona Ranch to Kansas City, Washington D.C., the White House, Los Angeles, New York
City, and Howard Hughes. This brainstorming idea is testament to the intellect of Helen Frye-
which was always leading edge.
In 1947- The Fryes Sell- and Buy
In 1947, the Fryes sold a portion of the Frye Ranch property which included the 3 residences at
the Armijo Ranch and adjoining outbuildings with barn, etc. At the same time, Jack Frye
increased the size of the ranch with other land purchases (this fact is little known). The portion
which was sold was executed because Jack wanted to reduce the ranch's overhead and upkeep
because he and Helen were not able to be there much during the war and the ranch was not a
money-maker. Jack desired to dissolve his cattle ranching operations at Sedona- save for a
small herd. He felt the operation was not profitable nor were any of the other endeavors he
instigated at the ranch.

During this time frame the Fryes had not one, but two ranch manager families living full time
at the ranch. Jack and Helen kept hired help at the ranch a majority of the time throughout
the years usually a ranch foreman and his family with various other employees. The Fryes
employed many people at their various ranches and homes. In the early 1940’s when Jack and
Helen arrived in Sedona by private plane they often had with them a butler named "White" and
a private secretary. They always had a housekeeper and full-time cook at the Sedona ranch too.
The secretary was necessary as Jack Frye never had a real vacation and conducted TWA
business in-flight and at all his homes.
The Planes- The Glamour
As you surely know if you have been following this web work Jack and Helen and their many
guests arrived and departed from the Sedona area in 2 different Frye private airliners. The first
was a 1937 Lockheed 12A (NC18137) utilized between 1940 and 1945, the second, was a much
larger and well-appointed 1942 Lockheed Lodestar 18 (NC33604) airliner. These planes were
beautiful sophisticated twin-engine executive airliners that Jack and Helen utilized for a
majority of their North America traveling. Please see Page 1940 and Page 1945 which are
dedicated to the Frye private planes.
Landing at Sedona- Not Possible in the 1940’s
These powerful twin-engine Frye planes could not be landed just anywhere especially the larger
Lockheed Lodestar. Although Jack contemplated trying to develop a landing strip at Deer Lick
Ranch there was just not enough time or flat unobstructed areas to facilitate a landing strip.
The red rock cliffs and mountains surrounding the valley could not be navigated by either
Lockheed twin. Thus Jack and Helen landed at what became locally known as the “Frye Private
Airstrip” as described below. They also landed a few times at Prescott Arizona, but more so at
the TWA terminal at Winslow Arizona (this was more so though, after, Jack acquired the
larger Lodestar). Upon arrival the Frye ranch hands would pick up the Fryes at the landing strip
and occasionally at Winslow Arizona which was a full-service TWA terminal. The Fryes also
traveled in and out of Winslow on east-west TWA airliners. While in Winslow the Fryes always
stayed at the historic La Posada Hotel (a former Fred Harvey House).
A Semi-Private Frye Regional Airport Is Founded By Jack Frye
Sedona had no airport at this early date. In 1941 Jack and Helen searched Sedona by air for a
suitable airport and located Table Top Mountain (now known as Airport Mesa) the current
location of the Sedona Airport. Jack and Helen walked the mesa off together and Jack
determined it would be a suitable airfield for the Sedona region. However Jack's personal time
was so limited during the war that he was not able to follow through on any development. Later
in life Helen Frye related that Joe Moser carried the project through by 1953. Jack was
instrumental in the formation of a simpler landing field near Cottonwood instead. This was not
the present airport in Cottonwood but another location farther N.E. (Verde Valley Airport).
Locals Witness TWA Airliners Landing and Departing
As an early Sedona resident who knew the Fryes related to me “on the corner of Cornville Road
and Highway 89A (on the west side) Jack had an area bladed and they often landed their plane
there. Someone from the ranch would then drive over and pick them up". I have discovered
through research that Jack and Helen either owned or leased this property. It is assured that
each time Jack and Helen were in town all who drove down Highway 89A between Cottonwood
and Sedona would see their shiny gleaming TWA private airliners parked out in the desert next
to the highway. Word spread throughout the region that "Jack and Helen Frye are back in
town"! These two were truly Sedona's very first celebrities and millionaires! The local resident
continued his reminiscing “when Jack and Helen came to town they were always accompanied
by an entourage of people”. As he put it "a bevy of beautiful women, secretaries to
secretaries… etc". This was understandable as Jack was never removed from the daily
operations of TWA. Helen, as well, utilized a secretary of her own to handle social
correspondence and engagements. It is well documented locally that each time Jack and Helen
would fly to Sedona in one of their Lockheeds they would fly low over the ranch and circle it
twice. This would signal the ranch hands to drive over to the air strip and pick up Jack, Helen,
and their guests. For more information on this air strip please see Page 1940.
The Crews- and a Private TWA Hostess Staff Frye Planes
Please keep in mind, on both planes, but primarily the second Lodestar, a TWA hostess was
assigned to tend to the needs of the passengers on all flights. This was the private Frye
V.I.P. Hostess Harriet Appelwick. There was usually a co-pilot on the Electra and a crew of
three for the Lodestar. One of Jack and Helen's pilots on the Lockheed 12A was Captain Walt
Gunn and Pilot Russell “Robby” Robinson. On the Lockheed Lodestar, the pilot was Glenn
Knudsen and M. E. “Ed” Bell. I am trying to locate more information on Glenn who I have been
told also had a twin brother who was also a TWA pilot. (I don’t know if this could be true
though because TWA had a policy against hiring more than one family member). Another one
of Jack and Helen's personal pilots was thought to be named Al.
The War Years
Because of the war Jack and Helen had to spend more and more time in Washington D.C. Jack
maintained an office there and Transcontinental & Western Air was heavily involved with the
White House with the war effort. President Harry Truman and Jack Frye were good friends and
poker buddies. Jack Frye and Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye were frequent guests of the FDR
and Truman White House during this time period. During the beginning of the war Helen and
Jack lived in hotel suites and apartments in Washington D.C. like the Wardman and the
Mayflower. However, it became apparent to both of them what with all the entertaining and
lobbying they had to do for Transcontinental & Western Air that they needed to buy or lease a
home in the D.C. area.
The Frye Doubleday Mansion
In late 1943 Helen started searching for a suitable estate in the Washington area and by early
1944 she found the perfect place. This was the Doubleday Mansion with adjoining 70-acres which
TWA in turn leased as an executive mansion (akin to a similar mansion which represented Pan
Am). In depth details on this property can be found on Page 1943 where you read about the
Frye's entertaining the League of Nations at the mansion for a week in Helen's own words!
Sedona Ranch- a Private TWA Get-A-Way
When Jack and Helen could take the time to be in Sedona they made the best of it. Because
TWA was the airline of the movie stars, Jack as president and Helen as his wife became friends
with many celebrities. Helen even served as a TWA hostess on special V.I.P. celebrity
Constellation flights (this per Howard Hughes intimate Terry Moore). Some of these celebrities
as well as many world notables were invited to the Sedona Ranch to experience the wild west of
Sedona Arizona. Because the accommodations on the ranch were limited some of the guests
stayed in town or up the canyon at the famous Mayhew Lodge.
Jack and Helen entertained their many guests with mini-rodeos, square dances, trail rides and
cookouts! The ranch was even made to look like a Hollywood movie set for one gathering. Jack
and Helen's friends were treated to royal western adventures! If one closes one's eyes and
imagines one can see the fiddles, guitars, square dancing, singing, and smell the aromatic fires
of mesquite and juniper cook fires at the Frye Ranch by Oak Creek!
Hollywood Guests
Nature's Little Beasts!
One story goes like this from a local Sedona resident who worked for Helen and Jack as a guide
in the early 1940’s when he was a teenager. Quote by Carmen Reyes, "the ranch used to be
pretty big before Armijo sold some of it to Jack Frye- he was president of TWA. I remember
when Jack Frye came he used to hire me to be his 'Little Indian Guide' -him and Helen used to
tell me, ‘and don't speak English’. They had all kinds of important people come. Marlene
Dietrich, I would get all thrilled to death when she came, I was about 12 or 14, at the time."
Reyes continued, "where the creek goes around there was a little farm that was experimenting
with soy beans during the war. It was pretty nice then. We cleared a lot of rocks down by the
creek for the Fryes, they wanted a place to swim. I liked working for them! I was one of the
best paid guys around. I made $60.00 a month, it was paid to me under the table. I would work
all day with the tours and then have to hoe or do anything else that needed to be done. That was
fun working with all those movie stars! Helen Frye had two Great Danes- first two I ever saw in
my life and the talk of the town. When she would go out on horseback, I would have to follow a
long, kind of like a puppy dog. She carried a .22 and I had to carry boxes of ammunition. She
would shoot at anything that moved- grasshoppers- anything! One day a pack of coyotes came
out and took after her dogs! She got so excited she couldn't hit the coyotes and wouldn't give
me the rifle! So, I finally got off my horse and had to get sticks to chase the coyotes off her
dogs!"
Friendly Rattlers- "Oh My!"
Please note- the longer Helen lived on the ranch the more respect she gained for the wildlife. At
the end of her life she did not allow anything to be killed or harmed in any way on her property.
Rattlesnakes, tarantulas, coyotes, javelinas, all wildlife lived in harmony and peace on Helen
Frye’s Ranch. As Carmen told me in a recent interview (summer 2008) “Helen told him at one
point she no longer desired to kill anymore of ‘nature's little beasts’ (her words) This, he said
was the result of some experience she had at the ranch which changed her outlook."

This experience was when Helen was on the construction site of the Apache Fires House and she
spotted an Arizona rattlesnake coiled up near her that didn’t strike. She felt from that point on
that she was given a sign that God’s creatures have similar rights to roam the land like man.
And since she was spared she needed to be more respectful of the “other” residents of her and
Jack’s ranch. Later in life Helen became quite interested in the Hopi and Navajo ceremonies
which revered the Hopi Navajo land creatures. Jack Frye was part Cherokee and Helen all her
life had an affinity for the Southwestern Native Americans especially the Hopis.
The scene above shows the Frye Ranch valley in 1954. The scene very much mirrors today.
The Frye barn near the Willow House can be seen right in 1947 with the (2nd) bunkhouse built
in the mid-forties out of red rock and adobe behind. The girl milking the cow is Rosie Targhetta
who came out to help the Fryes summer of '47 after Helen broke her arm riding. Rosie's
brother Joseph was the (then) ranch foreman. The first summer Rosie stayed at the Willow
House with the Fryes- the next summer she stayed at the nearly completed Apache Fires house.
To the left is Helen Frye and her mother Maude who visited often from West Virginia in a real
1940's "cheesecake" photo- just look at those strapped pumps! Helen designed much of her own
clothing and this photo shows possibly a Helen Frye design- poolside ensemble with wrap for her
hair- what a knockout! To the right is TWA president Jack Frye sporting a rare look- totally
laid back in shorts and relaxing with his mother-in-law at his Sedona Ranch. When Jack and
Helen were at the ranch they basked in the Arizona sun and were far removed the staid
convention and pomp of N.Y.C. and Washington D.C. The ranch was isolated from Sedona with
no marked mailbox or ranch name at the entry- just the way Jack and Helen wanted it- Private!
The area behind Jack and Helen is the current Red Rock State Park "Bunkhouse Trail Loop".
Notice the horizon? You can see the knoll where the House of Apache Fires rests today but in
the above photos it is missing and no where to be seen- this dates the photos to mid-1940's.
Escaping The Corporate World
Stunning photo of Helen Frye (left) doing what
she and Jack loved most- riding the ranch!
The man (left) may Joe York Sr. (one time
Frye Ranch Foreman) which dates the image
to about 1945. Behind the barn is seen the red
rock and stucco bunkhouse and willow tree.
Helen Frye (to the left) at the Sedona Ranch in the early days with Jack Frye (right) taken a
few moments later. Both rode the ranch extensively. I don't know if I have ever seen a better
photo of Helen- she absolutely looks radiant! Jack is holding the same horse and shown with his
trademark cigar and movie camera in hand (movies which disappeared). I had to do extensive
work to clean up these images which had not aged well but the end result is terrific! (1944?)
Many many thanks to Jack and Helen's nieces Sisty and Sheryl who have gone out of their way
to locate lost images of The Fryes for this page. The images seen here and on page 1935 have
never been seen by the public before and are extremely rare and valuable historically!  
Above to the left is Helen's mother-in-law Maude Varner on a visit with Jack and Helen to
Cathedral Rock. One assumes that Jack took the photo and Helen's back is to us. Notice she is
wearing the same buckskin coat as to the right when she is again at the base of Cathedral Rock
with friends and Jack's private TWA pilot Robby Robinson (Page 1942) sightseeing. The photo to
the left is thought to be taken in the mid-1940's. The photo to the right was about 1943.  
Showing Guests Around Sedona
Living the Sedona Dream
with Jack and Helen Frye in 1941
Transportation In and Out of The Frye Ranch in the Early Days
The Fryes always kept several cars at the
ranch which they would use to drive back and
forth to the airstrip or Winslow airport. Jack
seemed to favor Pontiacs and he and Helen
drove such at Kansas City and Sedona for
years. I don’t know whether Jack felt Pontiacs
were just solid powerful cars or whether this
was related to his sponsoring the make with
TWA. The Frye Pontiacs were always new with
posh leather interiors and Helen was seen
often around Sedona in hers. Jack Frye even
located a new ‘42 Pontiac for his first ranch
foreman (Roy Kurtz) after he admired Helen
Frye one day driving into the ranch in her
stylish ‘41 Pontiac convertible. In an article
called “Jack Frye- Vision Unlimited”, written
by Douglas J. Ingells, for Coronet Magazine, in
1942, he describes Frye and his Pontiacs thus,
“He drives his Pontiac-- upholstered with red
leather--so fast that there isn’t a policeman in
Kansas City who won’t tell you ‘Sure, I know
Jack Frye-- he’s the guy who tries to fly his
automobile all over town.’”
Jack Frye- Streamliner Torpedo
Above (left) we see Pigg posing at the tail of Jack and Helen's new 1948 Pontiac convertible at
the rear of the House of Apache Fires (see Page 1947). Jack and Helen always kept new Pontiac
convertibles at the ranch from 1941 to 1958. This photograph is on file at Red Rock State Park.
Jack Frye- President and Director of
Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc., is the
only executive head of a major airline holding
an Airline Transport Pilot’s License. He has
over 5,000 flying hours in his pilot’s log,
(1941) and when not busy concentrating on
management problems, Mr. Frye frequently
flies his airline’s research plane (L12A) on
survey trips. Please click on ad for larger file.
Caption from TWA Stratoliner-
Pontiac Streamliner Promo
The Frye Ranch Was Isolated- Sedona Was Off The Beaten Track
To expound on the isolation of Sedona and the lack of services in the 1940’s. When Jack Frye
was out here he was on a very tight schedule, basically just a short break from TWA. As I have
said, the Fryes flew in and out from a private airstrip near the ranch but occasionally for
whatever reason, Jack and Helen flew into the TWA terminal at Winslow and drove down to
Sedona, a trip of about 3-hours. This was more so when Jack had the larger Lockheed Lodestar
18 and needed to have it serviced by TWA ground crews.

On one of these occasions Jack and Helen drove down from Winslow and Jack as usual had a
short window. The day always came too early for him to leave the ranch. On this trip he had an
important TWA business meeting in NY or DC (it is not known). He and Helen threw
everything in the car and started the rugged dusty drive to Winslow. At that time the canyon
road (89A) was narrow and treacherous (more so than today) so the drive was entertaining at
best. Halfway up the switchbacks the transmission went out on the Pontiac, unfortunately,
automobiles back then, especially during the war, were hardly as flawless as they are today.
Jack, who was an accomplished aircraft mechanic, evaluated the situation and realized that the
Pontiac would still operate in reverse. He turned the car around and navigated the narrow
treacherous road backwards up Oak Creek Canyon through the switchbacks and on to Flagstaff
where he and Helen hired a car to rush them to Winslow.

Need I say the Fryes did not miss their connection- Jack Frye made sure of that! Jack was one
of the most important men in the country in the 1940's and this incident is testament to his
value. If he backed a car up that canyon he had damn good reason to do so. This is an example
of just how isolated Sedona was in 1945. If you needed to get out of town you either flew (a real
luxury) or you lethargically negotiated the then primitive roads with a motor car. There were no
taxis, shuttles, or services to speak of- you were on your own! If you had important business on
the east coast- well now we know how one man did it!

So the next time you drive up or down the Canyon and complain about the curves, drop offs,
and traffic, just be thankful you weren’t a passenger with the Frye’s on this trip in the 1940’s.
Jack Frye Seen in President Truman's Inaugural Motorcade in '49
In regard to the Fryes and automobiles, I have heard that Jack and Helen had several
Cadillacs, all garaged in different states, each with the special V.I.P. license plate “JF”. (One
source states it was JF-1). This type of plate was usually designated only for governors and
indicates, if true, Jack Frye’s V.I.P. status nationwide. I have never found documentation to
this end though until now.

Recently, I came across an incident recounted by the famous, legendary actress, Helen Hayes
which proves this end.

Jack Frye attended the presidential inauguration of his friend Harry Truman on January 20,
1949. This information is derived from Hayes who was a witness and would often share her story
of this memorable event with friends. On the morning of January 20th, she and her husband,
Charles MacArthur, were making their way to their designated seats at the viewing stands.
Suddenly, Helen turned around and alarmingly realized that her husband had been separated
from her by the gathering mob. She decided at this point the only thing she could do was
continue to her seat with her invitation and hope Charles would catch up with her. After finding
her seat she waited anxiously for her husband, who never did join her in the stands.

However, imagine her surprise when a big sedan with “JF’ plates drove by the packed stadiums
at the lead of Truman’s presidential motorcade parade (looking very official, mind you).
Waving out of the sedan’s window, Helen recognized her husband Charles, astounded, she
quickly waved back!

How it unfolded- After Charles was separated from Helen Hayes, he soon found himself
standing next to Jack Frye (it is not known if they knew each other previously). Charles
explained his predicament to Jack, at which Jack, who was always most accommodating told
Charles, “you can ride with me!”. They both made their way to Jack’s (assumed to be a)
Cadillac, and Frye, who was known to “fly his car around Washington”, started the difficult
navigation to the view/reception stands. Now, for the interesting aspect to this story, the streets
were blocked for the presidential motorcade and traffic was immobilized, white gloved police
officers were everywhere. However, Jack Frye’s big sedan with his official looking “JF” license
plate was expeditiously flagged onto the blocked official motorcade route, ahead of Truman,
(who was in a dark 1948 or 49 Packard convertible). It is not known how many other vehicles
proceeded Truman in the parade. Through all the blocked intersections Frye followed the
official route and enjoyed an V.I.P. straight-shot to the viewing stands of 1000’s of spectators.
Not one single D.C. police officer questioned the Fleetwood’s presence in the motorcade,
something unheard of today. Perhaps some of the police recognized Frye, as he was a fixture in
Washington, or perhaps, it really was the unusual license plates of the car. It has been said that
Frye was the only civilian who had unfettered access to the Oval Office during Truman’s
presidency- day or night.

And this is how we know that Jack Frye (and perhaps his wife Helen Frye) attended Harry
Truman’s inauguration with at least one surprise guest, Helen Hayes’ husband, Charles
MacArthur. This incident has been verified by media reports and is being researched further.
Parties and Mixing
The Apache Fires villa was set up for large gatherings. The ranch had a variety of
accommodations for guests and Jack and Helen entertained regularly here. This came easy for
them as they threw parties constantly at their homes in Merriam (K.C.) and Hillcrest Farm,
a.k.a. the Doubleday Mansion, at (D.C.). Sedona guests included V.I.P's from out of town and
local acquaintances from the Sedona area. Typically, a party was enjoyed throughout the house,
spilling out on the terraces and lawns. Jack and Helen both enjoyed the Sedona lifestyle and
the first home they planned together. The entertaining at Sedona was an unwinding escape
from Jack 's stressful career with TWA and GAF in Washington and New York City.
The 'Moscow Mule' Rage- From West Hollywood to Sedona Via TWA
Another memorable party was held at Red Rock Crossing (so called today). Crescent Moon
Ranch was located here in the day as owned by Lois (Kellog) Duncan and Nick Duncan. (A
image of Lois can be found on Page 1958). Rosie was the party greeter and would show the Frye
guests where the bar was and make sure they all got a drink. Each guest just fell in love with
Rosie and would insist she sit down, drink, and visit with them. Rosie found herself becoming
more and more relaxed and intoxicated! The next morning, Mrs. Jack Frye received calls from
many a Sedona resident congratulating her and Jack on a wonderful event and complimenting
Rosie on being such a charming personality! Charming albeit very tipsy!

Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning were often seen around Sedona with their two white fluffy
dogs (thought to be Lhasa Apsos) and even brought the darlings to Frye and Babbitt parties.
There were Frye parties at other locations, too, like Crescent Moon Ranch and Oak Creek
Canyon. One such event is remembered at the Babbitt’s canyon home. Rosie's brother was to
be the bartender, but at the last minute, he was unable to participate. (This dates the event to
1948). Therefore, Rosie was elected by the Fryes to serve drinks. Of course, Rosie was nervous
as she had never mixed drinks before! At this time, there was a very trendy drink called the
"Moscow Mule". This drink was the inspiration of the famous celebrity hangout on Sunset
Boulevard called the "Cock 'n' Bull" Restaurant & Pub in West Hollywood. The concoction had
been developed to utilize the surplus of Russian Vodka available after WWII. Jack and Helen
discovered the concoction in the mid-40's and decided to make it the 'theme' of their Oak
Creek Canyon party. Rosie was settled into her bartending routine and guests were all sipping
the concoction. However, Jack and Helen noticed an unusual effect at the party; everyone was
drinking and having pleasant time, but no one was feeling, well, shall we say "buzzed"? Finally,
Helen realized, that although Vodka is quite invisible in a cocktail, in these drinks the Vodka
was positively missing! Rosie, in her inexperience as a bartender, had neglected to add the
Vodka! Finally, after refilling everyone's drinks with the "real" formula, the party took off!
The adjoining logo appeared on the copper mugs which were
used to serve the famous "Moscow Mule" in 1940's
Hollywood! Now, you too, can enjoy this refreshing drink
associated with the Fryes and Sedona. I assure you it is
excellent and we have served them ourselves at gatherings!
2 ounces Vodka (ice cold)
1 ounce of Lime juice
4 ounces of Cock 'n' Bull Ginger Beer (ice cold)
Mix and serve in a frosty copper mug with a slice of lime!
It is suggested for authenticity that only the
original Cock 'n' Bull Ginger Beer be used in this drink.
I was able to locate it at Bashas' in Sedona