sedona legend helen frye

House of Apache Fires
at the Frye Ranch, Sedona Arizona

Now.....Red Rock State Park

This Page Has Been Expanded
Into Three Parts!

Part One- Follows Below-

Part Two- Can Be Found On This Page

Part Three- explores the missing link as to “who” the architect of the Apache Fires house truly was. Conceived by the Fryes and world famous architect, John Gaw Meem, of Santa Fe N.M., 7 years of planning and delays went into the conception of this Frye mansion. Lost for 60 years- never before published!

The Apache Fires House
Part 1

House of Apache Fires..... ahhhh yes, there is only one such name and structure in the world. It is a place of not only local, but national, lore and legend. It is the stone pueblo Jack and Helen Frye built at their Smoke Trail Ranch from 1946-1950. Once a focal point of the 700-acre Frye Ranch, the house ruin and property, now at a reduced 286 acres, is the reigning crown jewel of Arizona State Parks (Red Rock State Park) visited by nearly a million tourists a year!

Jack and Helen Frye were about the busiest people in the world during the war and TWA years. They flew between their various properties in executive mini-airliners: a TWA Lockheed Electra 12A Junior Electra and a TWA Lockheed Lodestar 18. They spent a majority of their time in Washington D.C. involved in business dealings for TWA. Of course, Jack and Helen were the reigning king and queen of this official airline of the United States Government of the 1940's. TWA had an exclusive contract with the U.S. government to provide a majority of transport for troops and personnel of our allied war involvements. This was just one of the lucrative deals that Jack Frye engineered for TWA during World War II. Another, of course, was the Constellation aircraft, which was used exclusively by the military before it was used for TWA passenger service. You see my friends, Jack Frye and TWA envisioned and submitted the design for this marvelous plane, and Howard Hughes helped finance the project. Without these two men, there would be NO Constellation Airliner! But this is more thoroughly covered on the Page: "Their Story" and "The TWA Constellation Story."

Back to Helen and Jack.... from the very beginning they dreamed of building a permanent home at their beloved Smoke Trail Ranch. In the early 1940's, they plotted and staked out the area that would be a suitable building site high on a cliff overlooking the picturesque ranch. However, because of the complexity of Helen and Jack's lives and World War II, it would take 7 long years to initiate the project! Shortages of building supplies during the war also complicated the plans. As well, Jack and Helen had their hands full with two other Arizona ranches (over 50,000 acres) and two magnificent showplace homes, a Tudor Manor in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and the 70 acre historic 300-year-old Doubleday Mansion (Hillcrest Farm) in Arlington VA. Jack and Helen entertained constantly at these locations.

In our present day Smoke Trail Ranch is reached by a new paved road that was not available when Jack and Helen accessed their ranch. Today you leave Sedona traveling south and turn left on Lower Red Rock Loop Road. It is here the magic begins!

Jack and Helen Frye accessed their property by fording the river at Red Rock Crossing and then navigating the almost impassable Turkey Creek Road (now a primitive Forest Service Road) on the Village of Oak Creek side of the river. They could also gain access from the Village of Oak Creek and Verde Valley School Road to Turkey Creek Road. The other commonly used entrance was the current ingress past the Red Rock State Park gate house from Red Rock Loop Road. There was a road and ford in the area of current Twin Cypress picnic area that is lost and no longer used. Jack and Helen called the area Long Meadow. When Jack and Helen sold the property now known as Cross Creek Ranch they retained an easement through this region too. Smoke Trail Ranch was so remote when Jack and Helen Frye owned the property, that many local residents had never seen the ranch, only heard of it.

As you continue on Red Rock Loop Road, eventually you start dropping down into a valley near Cup of Gold Estates, (a Helen Frye development and originally part of the Frye Ranch). Your vision is focused now on the beauty of this magnificent vista. The towering red rocks display themselves below you like some enchanted fairytale kingdom, overwhelming you and taking your breath away! This valley is one of the prettiest and most captivating in the whole Sedona region. As your eyes scan the vast green belt of Oak Creek, they are suddenly captured by an Native American Indian ruin.... or is it a home? It sits high on a knoll overlooking the valley and is an unmistakable and prominent sight. Yes, this is the House of Apache Fires! The presence it commands, lording over this valley, is a testament to the vision of Smoke Trail Ranch and the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!

Smoke Trail Ranch
Home of Jack Frye's
Combines Beauty and Utility in Modern Pueblo

Spring of 1948 (Local Verde Valley Newspaper)

When the Jack Fryes' move into their new home at Smoke Trail Ranch, Arizona will have a new claim to fame with an inhabited cliff dwelling. Designed by Mrs. Frye and built on a red rock bluff across the creek from the old ranch buildings, the exterior very closely resembles a pueblo. Thin flat rocks are used with their edges projecting beyond the mortar. This method catches both light and shadow, and makes the walls blend into the surrounding countryside. The house is two stories high at one end, drops down to one story with a roof terrace, then descends to a long wing set at an angle to the main structure, with a pleasing variety of breaks and lines. There is also a constant variation in the interior, although it is bound together by stone floors, harmonious treatment of the walls and fireplaces. The studio, naturally, is the first room to be completed for and by the artistic Mrs. Frye. On the second floor, entered from the terrace, this room is made light by the ample use of windows.

Built into one wall is a fireplace that is flush with the wall, and the hearth is level with the floor. An interesting arrangement of rocks, some laid horizontal, with thin edges projecting, other laid vertical, with the flat side forward, piles irregularly above the hearth. From the rocks to the ceiling, the wall is painted a brown of great depth and warmth. The ceiling itself is made of yew saplings laid in a herringbone pattern. The end walls of the room are the color of sand enlivened by sunlight. The remaining wall is painted a deep turquoise, with natural irregularities of a lighter turquoise relieving the flatness that paint otherwise acquires. The painting was done by Helen Frye herself, as it is creative work, acquiring much from the personality of the painter. Yew saplings also are used in the bookshelves and furniture. Underneath this room is another with unique effects. The fireplace, with a sunken hearth, is as yet incomplete as Mrs. Frye has been unable to find someone who knows how to build it as she has it in mind. She will, therefore, build it herself, with stones but without mortar. The fireplace will be so constructed that in summer it can be converted from a place of warmth to a cooling waterfall. With stone floor, and with a wide view of Oak Creek as it winds through the Smoke Trail Ranch and of the red rock country in which the ranch is cupped, this room combines a feeling of living warmly in the west and at the same time remotely, as in a New York penthouse.

Large bathrooms and dressing rooms with cabinet work designed by Mrs. Frye to accommodate elaborate wardrobes also are on this first floor of the higher level of the building. Behind them is a swimming pool shaped like the Smoke Trail brand. An office for Mr. Frye juts out over one end of the cliff, commanding a magnificent stretch of scenery. The large wing ambles back from the cliff to the hillside and will contain dining room, kitchen, and utility rooms. This part of the building is now under construction by Elmer Purtymun of Sedona, who has been working on the resicence since it was first started, just a year ago. Purtymun estimates that it will be another six months before construction is completed. The Fryes expect, however, to move into the completed part of the building within a month or two. The interior decoration will continue for an indefinite time, as Mrs. Frye works at it as she does on a portrait, seeking the exact impression or effect that she has in mind. Although they now own several ranches in Arizona which are operated by the Fryes for the raising of stock, Smoke Trail is the one on which they plan to make their permanent home, and the one where they are experimenting with prize cattle, slowly building a herd of the copper-colored animals that are a mixture of Shorthorn, Brahma and Afrikander stock. The Smoke Trail foreman is Joseph Targhetta of New Mexico, who has many relatives in Cottonwood. His sister, Rosie Targhetta, has acted as housekeeper for the Fryes this summer but she had to return to Bernalillo, New Mexico to continue her education.

Please note: The swimming pool was never completed, but excavation was initiated. The location was in the courtyard below the studio on the southwest side, overlooking the valley. The unfinished hole was later filled in. The Frye's had the creek excavated in several areas, to create large swimming holes, and this is where they swam throughout the years.

Contrary to popular belief the home was mostly finished inside, except for the dining room-living area, Jack's office, and the his and her bathrooms. Windows were installed on all openings. The exterior was a natural lovely variegated array of different shaded red rocks lovingly selected by Helen herself.
When the house was owned by the esoteric group, it was violated tragically when the exterior was sprayed with a red-tinted mortar. The finish is no longer the original deep set mortar, "dry-stack" appearance of Jack and Helen's time and the stones are now all the same bland color. It would cost a fortune to repair the damage if it could even be done at all. Helen and Jack never intended the house to look this way. At the same time period, the late 70's and by the same group, the sapling ceilings were replaced as well as the interior rafters which were etched with burnt-in designs. The beautiful red rock interior was defaced with plaster and drywall. Some of this was done for the application of flagstone walls. However, the project was never finished, as the group ran out of money when Helen died.

So the current result is a hodgepodge of incompletion. The magnificent flagstone floors were covered with unsightly wood flooring which is now buckled from water damage. Mirrored windows were installed, original rooms were altered and new ones built. Tiled overhangs were installed on the exterior of the house which replaced the lovely caned Ocotillo veranda overhangs. The esoteric group also wreaked havoc on Helen's studio. A spiral staircase was installed below the studio, which was always served previously by an outside roof top entrance. The intent was to create an interior entrance to the upstairs. This monstrosity was removed later. A rocked addition, to serve as a balcony was installed off the south studio which totally ruined the exterior lines of the Frye, Hopi Indian Ruin design. An enormous community whirlpool bathtub was installed in Helen's studio. Subsequently throughout the years being too heavy for its location, it is now falling through the ceiling. Supposedly this was initiated for the leaders bad back. I have been told the hot-tub and the house were used for orgies by the group leader.

More alterations were orchestrated.... A long red rock wall was constructed bordering the long driveway and a massive gate installed. The renovations were all implemented by a man in charge, who was trying to make the house look like an English cottage. He was British. I understand he did succeed in building a real English Tudor on the Oak Creek Golf Course somewhere. Most of this information came from a man I interviewed, who was involved at the time, was witness to these alterations, and knew why they were done. He also related the arguments that the alterations ignited. Many thought the house was being altered with no regard for historical preservation. Helen at the time was very upset by the renovations. Thankfully, the esoteric group only owned the property for less than 5 years, or more irreversible damage might have been done to the beautiful sprawling home!

Hopefully, I have put to rest another mystery, "where was the red rock for the house quarried?" This question has plagued park officials, because of the extraordinary amount of native, regional, red rock used in the construction of the House of Apache Fires. I walked the grounds of the house with this gentleman who was involved with the renovations, in the late 1970's. He pointed out to me that there is no real mystery, and pointed toward the quarry, (directly under where the red rock well-house is now). The well was dug and built in about 1947, with a framed pump house. The eventual red rock pump house (1960-1980) was built over the site of the rock quarry. This is why the quarry is not visible. The river and flagstone rock used in the construction was not quarried, but came from Oak Creek, and the Frye Sunshine Ranch, at Sunshine Arizona, 40 miles east of Flagstaff, (now known as the Red Gap Ranch).

Sedona Rumor- It is true Helen and Jack had a hanging bed in the House of Apache Fires upstairs studio? Fact- no, the story is just that, a rumor!

I have recently straightened out this rumor with a lady who was Helen and Jack's housekeeper during the time period and in later years became one of Helen's closest friends. She is turning out to be a wealth of information about Jack and Helen in the late 1940's. Helen and Jack did have a king size hanging bed, but it was never in the studio. It was in the master bedroom just below. Helen and Jack did live at the House of Apache Fires together before they were divorced. They occasionally slept in the master bedroom directly under the studio. This bedroom had his and her dressing room-closets and a large bathroom. This end of the house was nearly finished when Helen and Jack utilized it. They typically utilized the studio for sleeping during this period too, and there were two small day-type beds up there. The studio was shared equally by Jack and Helen, as her "studio," and Jack's "office" when he was at the ranch. It was always "off limits to the staff."

Staff? What staff, you might ask? Jack and Helen had a cook and a housekeeper that lived at the house full-time, during this period. The housekeeper resided in the "maids" quarters behind the kitchen area, where there were two bedrooms. Why was the studio and terrace "off limits" to the ranch help? Because Jack and Helen liked to sun bathe up there on the deck, "au naturale," and didn't like to be disturbed. This is one of Jack's ways of relaxing from his very hectic life with General Aniline and Film Corporation in New York. (Jack was no longer with TWA after February of 1947 except as a consultant). As far as the office in the studio? Yes, Jack and Helen had phone and electricity installed at this house in 1948. The "Willow House," down below, across the creek, was electrified too, and had a phone from about 1941. The ranch always had a phone, as TWA president Jack Frye, ran the world-wide operation from the ranch when he was here. He was never far from a telephone, no matter where he was! Howard Hughes was one of the most frequent callers to Smoke Trail Ranch and also a guest.

Helen had another hanging bed, too, it was installed in the Wings of the Wind house. She later died in this bed which was a full size. But why "hanging beds?" Rumor has it around Sedona, that it was because she had a pet tarantula unrestrained in the House of Apache Fires. She may indeed have had a pet tarantula at one time, but the hanging beds were not to protect her and Jack at night from the "pet" getting them. After all tarantulas can climb walls and ceilings. I have recently interviewed an old friend of Helen's (the late Edith Denton,) who conveyed to me the real story of the unusual hanging bed from Helen herself! Helen once told Edith's mother, that because she and Jack flew constantly, she had to learn to sleep on planes. This created a dilemma whereas, at home, Helen would have a difficult time

sleeping. She realized that she never had trouble going to sleep on a plane, so she and Jack came up with a hanging bed to help her sleep better at home. Each time she turned over the bed moved, and she felt like she was in an airplane. She would sleep peacefully each night, bed gently swaying back and forth. Jack, also benefited from this unique sleeping arrangement at the House of Apache Fires. One must assume, later in life, at the Wings of Wind in her other hanging bed, Helen would dream that she and Jack were again winging their way through the stars, together, in their gleaming Lockheed Electra or Lockheed Lodestar. In her dreams, she was safe and protected, with Jack her mighty aviator hero manning the controls, still together and sharing the vast blue skies over our great country. When I found out the truth behind this story, I was so touched! And I think it is so apropos for a famous former airline president's wife! This lady did a lot of flying and sleeping on planes, this is well documented!

Please click on photos for larger renditions.

Above photo, is the private TWA executive plane, that Jack and Helen Frye were in when they discovered Smoke Trail ranch in 1941. They used this plane until 1945, at which time they started flying in a new more powerful Lockheed Lodestar. Please see this page for detailed information on the private executive planes of Jack and Helen Frye. In regard to the fact that Jack and Helen Frye both lived on planes, Helen, as an airline president and founder's wife, had to adapt quickly. She and Jack, both,

grabbed sleep whenever they could. Helen was a master of presentation and was required to represent TWA. Jack and Helen had to fly all hours of the day and night and when they would arrive at their destination, no matter how tired Helen was, she had to present a flawless appearance to reporters and dignitaries. Photo courtesy of TWA and Walt Gunn, one of Jack and Helen's personal executive pilots.
Please see "The Famous Lockheeds Flown By Jack and Helen Frye."

Interview with Jack and Helen Frye
at a New York City Nightclub

Celebrity Column of C.B. Driscoll
Jack Frye of Transcontinental and Western Air U.S. Aerial Service
Manhattan, N.Y. June 2, 1942
Written by Charles B. Driscoll

Excerpt from article appears below as it relates to the future Apache Fires house. World War II delayed the construction of the house. To read article in its entirety please click here.

"Jack has bought a large ranch in Arizona, 4,000 feet up, close to Flagstaff.
He and Mrs. Frye have staked out the site for their new home, have hired an architect, and hope to have a roof over their heads by the time snow falls in less favored lands. The wide verandas will overhang a real river, which runs sparkling cold water the year around."

The black and white photos below were thought to be taken by the Fryes in about 1948 to 1950.

Amid green lawns, the integrated TWA entertainment area of the sprawling Frye, House of Apache Fires, ranch home. Notice the face of the dog peaking out from under the bushes on the left of the photo. This is likely "Copper."

This scene is of the House of Apache Fires studio sitting area. Jack and Helen often slept in the privacy of these quarters, as well as downstairs in the king size hanging bed. This room had a dark room for Jack's photography hobby, two twin beds, and a bathroom. Later in the early 1950's air conditioning was installed in the form of an evaporative cooler. This made this section of the house quite comfortable during the long hot Sedona summers. Is the studio haunted by a ghost from before the house was built? Please see this page.

The studio in a much clearer image. From animal hides over the chairs, to authentic Native American Drums, to the antique flintlocks over the fireplace, Jack and Helen Frye spent all their private moments here in front of this fireplace. These rooms were "off" limits to the staff of the House of Apache Fires.

Below we see the master bedroom-suite fireplace. Helen personally oversaw every detail of the beautiful masonry in the Apache Fires house. Beside the fireplace one can see the doorway to "his" and "her" dressing rooms and bathrooms. The painting over the fireplace has mistakenly been said to have been done by Frye intimate, Max Ernst. Max indeed did do some Sedona western scenes, however the painting is not his typical style. Jack and Helen owned a large collection of William Robinson Leigh paintings, as well. Recently, the party who owns the painting has been located so this mystery is solved. The painting is a (Gerard Curtis Delano) 1890-1972. Jack purchased the work in 1936 from the artist in Albuquerque. The painting has had only two owners, the Fryes, and the current owner. For more information on Delano please see Arizona Highways, August 1968.

The story below details my discovery of this historic House of Apache Fires masterpiece.

For 5 years I diligently searched for the image of the "Painted Ponies."

"I turned my attention to the focal point of the enormous room. Hanging at the far end was my long time quest, the famous painting of the Navajo Ponies. This masterpiece once hung over the fireplace at the famous Sedona- Apache Fires house. Now it rests in silence at an undisclosed location. Bathed in the surreal glow of a picture light, the painting glistened in the shadows as if to say, "finally, here I am, you found me!" Looking closer, I was in awe at this elusive Apache Fires artifact displayed in living color no longer an old faded black and white photo as seen above.

Carefully, my eyes took in every detail of the richly-colored-scene, a Navajo squaw and her beloved brave, each sitting on two Navajo ponies, who were sipping from a pool of water hemmed by a surreal Arizona Sunset. Details, I might add, which are totally lost in the old faded photos of the same painting. I let my mind wander back to the story of how Jack Frye, then president of Transcontinental and Western Air, had discovered this freshly created painting in 1936. He was in Albuquerque, a place he frequented often, as it was one of Transcontinental and Western Air's mainline terminals.

Jack met with the artist, Gerard Delano, and chose this sizeable masterpiece from several others. The price was $3,600.00 dollars, a hefty fee for the time. Jack Frye had a deep appreciation for Western Art, as he himself was part Cherokee and Arizona was his adopted state. This man tamed the Southwest with the very first scheduled passenger airline service from California to Arizona to Texas which he himself was often the pilot.

Jack Frye was Arizona's first registered commercial pilot and civilian pilot as well! Shortly after initiating the latter air routes, he connected his airline with railway service, establishing the very first United States trans-continental passenger service for the United States. This service later led to the very first scheduled trans-atlantic passenger service for the U.S., from New York to Paris. In regard to the then primitive Southwest, Jack personally experienced it as few people alive today remember; as a lonely pilot, landing and taking off in sputtering transports from baron sand swept runways. A remarkable man, remembered today as one of the country's foremost entrepreneurs and aviation legends! Well earned!

After purchasing the painting, Jack Frye had it air-shipped to his executive office in Kansas City. From there it likely graced a wall of his 5-acre Tudor-style-estate near Kansas City. By the early 1940's, after he and Helen Vanderbilt were married, the painting was shipped out to their Smoke Trail Ranch in Sedona, where it hung at the "Willow House." By 1947, it was re-hung at the famous House of Apache Fires, as evidenced by three historic black and white photos. Eventually, in 1962, it was moved up to the adjoining Sedona, Wings of the Wind house, where it hung for another 15 years. After this, it transferred to its current location, far far away from Sedona and has resided there for the last 25 years.

I knew all Delanos were named, but had never been able to identify this particular painting. In carefully examining the back of the canvas, I found the title, "Evening," written in longhand by the artist himself. Understated perhaps, but the perfect description of this display of love and peace, between two Native American Indians. Now at the end of its historic journey, the painting has witnessed many art loving folk from common, to the rich and famous, all silently gazing into its rich and layered depths. One can almost hear it whisper, 'I'm a painting who has been loved by some pretty remarkable people. It is you who should be honored to be in my presence!' And so it was.... and so we were....." The End!

This photo, likely taken by Helen Frye, shows a friend leaning back against Helen's Pontiac Convertible. Helen always had a new Pontiac convertible at the ranch, this one appears to be a 1948. The back of the photo says simply, "PIGG." The lady will likely never be identified. Date about 1949.

Beautiful and rare color frames from movie reels of the House of Apache Fires, and the adjoining views from late 1950's. The unhappy child is being held by Walter Duncan, Helen's ranch foremen.

Helen proves that all little girls need is a woman's touch, the crying stops.

The glamorous and lovely Dorothea Tanning, seen in repose, on a very famous Max Ernst, life-size sculpture. The photo was captured at Max and Dorothea's property called, "Capricorn Hill," in Sedona Arizona. Note the towering red rocks in the background. Dorothea was often at Smoke Trail ranch in the 1940's and 1950's. As a matter of fact, Helen and Jack's godson, Aubrey, remembers Dorothea as his babysitter when he would visit the ranch with his mother and stay at the "Willow House." After all these years he is still in awe of having such a beautiful and exotic caregiver!

The photo to the right, of Max and Dorothea, was likely taken in about 1947. The one on the left, in the mid- 1950's. The statue is called "Capricorn." See another photo here.

It is said, there is a Max Ernst coffee table book of sculptures, all photographed amid the backdrop of the House of Apache Fires. For more information on the life long friendship between Max Ernst, his wife, Dorothea Tanning, and Jack and Helen Frye, please see these two pages. Helen Frye, the artist.

Rather than endless speculation as to the origin of "WHY?" the house is called the Apache Fires house, and "WHO?" built it, let's get the story directly from Helen Frye, who stated in published accounts that it was built by Apache Indians from a local reservation.

So there we have it, plain and simple, the Apache Indians were the labor force used to build the House of Apache Fires, makes sense doesn't it? Yet how was the "Fires" name derived? The published account goes that English friends of the Frye's who were staying at the ranch in the evenings noticed that the fires of the Apache workers, who were staying along the river, would drift up over the cliff and obscur the new house construction. Thus, they suggested the house be called the "Apache Fires" house. Jack and Helen obviously agreed. Who were these mysterious English friends? After 5 years of research, this too, is not hard to figure out. Helen and Jack had a couple visiting the ranch from England, and the wife, later was for several years, the Smoke Trail Ranch manager. See story here on this page. Their names were Arnold and (Patricia "Paddy" O'Neill) Mountfort. Sir Arnold Mountfort, the same famous Hollywood portrait artist that painted three magnificent portraits of the Fryes. Two survive of Helen, the one of Jack is missing. All were painted at the ranch. See this page, and this page.

Helen, her entire life, had great respect and admiration for native American Indians. She was proud of their involvement in the construction of her new home. Jack was part Native American Indian himself, Cherokee. The Transcontinental and Western Air, Native American Indian names and motifs were due to this great man wanting his airline associated with the Southwest, where the airline originated.

So all the endless speculation about whether Apaches, Yavapais, Hopis, or just everyday locals, built the house ends here. And thankfully, the origin of the name too, is well clarified. See this page.

In researching information for this Web Site, I have come across interesting documentation. This information was mostly derived from Yavapai County recorded documents, depositions, and Jack and Helen Frye's divorce decree. There is no doubt in my mind, that the name of Jack and Helen's home was originally and always designated, "House of Apache Fires," not the current version, "House of Apache Fire." This inaccuracy has been completely verified and authenticated many times over. Through the years the name has become misinterpreted and research to verify the discrepancy has tragically not been attempted. In light of the monumental historic presence of this dwelling in Sedona and at Red Rock State Park, and in regard to the Helen and Jack Frye Story, I feel that the accurate name of this famous dwelling need be notated emphatically on this Web Site. I am happy the State of AZ. is addressing it, too.

December 12, 1957
The House of Apache Fires, at the time of this photo, was only 10 years old. Although the photo is a terrible likeness of the beautiful Helen Frye, it does show the House of Apache Fires in its original state. The photo is taken outside of Helen's studio, 2nd floor, looking toward the entrance. Helen is sitting on the wall where the outdoor red rock stairway is. The slide or negative was reversed when it ran in the newspaper, as the stairs face the wrong direction. Behind Helen there are floor to ceiling glass French doors, one on each side of the fireplace.

These could both be opened onto Helen's terrace for entertaining and summer breezes. Both entrances were identical, thus entry was through either side. In the recent past, the glass doors have been removed and replaced with two tall wide wooden doors. In the opening where the doors are now, one can still find the original hinges of the original doors. In other parts of the house where the mirrored windows are now installed, one can also see the hinges of original windows that swung outward.

2008

Views from the House of Apache Fires Trail, above, and to the right, Oak Creek, below the Frye House after a summer rainstorm with Kingfisher bridge in background.

Conjecture or Truth?
Upon visiting the Grand Canyon recently, I was startled about the similarity between the Hopi House and the House of Apache Fires. Could there be a connection? The Hopi House was designed by the famous Harvey House architect, Mary Colter, as well as many other structures, to include La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, her last work. Is there a connection between Mary Colter and Red Rock State Park in Sedona? Yes, amazingly.... and here is! Before Mary decided to retire to Santa Fe, she owned acreage in Sedona. This land was not just anywhere in Sedona. It was adjoining Jack and Helen's Smoke Trail Ranch. As Jack and Helen Frye were expanding their Sedona land holdings in 1947, they purchased Mary's land and added it to their ranch. (See "Desert Retreats, Sedona Style," by Linda Leigh Paul). The transaction may have been impersonal, but it is likely Mary knew Jack and Helen, especially since they often stayed at La Posada and TWA helped sustain the hotel in the 30's, 40's, and 50's. Did Mary offer Jack and Helen insight into the design of the House of Apache Fires? This is yet to be documented. However, the architect for the House of Apache Fires has never been identified. (Update on the architect coming soon!)

It has been said that Walt Disney spent part of a summer at the House of Apache Fires. Helen allowed him to stay at the house and she stayed down below at the Willow House. I have not yet verified this story. However, Walt did stay in Sedona several times through the years. Helen and Jack knew many celebrities, so it is entirely possible Helen knew Walt and his wife Lilly. There was the association of a movie that was filmed at the ranch, too. Called, "The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle," it was filmed at the House of Apache Fires, around Sedona and Monument Valley in 1967. This movie which I have recently viewed, is quite well done. I was very impressed and found the film definitely worth seeing!

Walt Disney boarding a TWA airliner, courtesy Associated Press.

Walt Disney's connection with TWA was well established long before this TWA Rocket Ship was erected at Disneyland.

The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle was written by a friend of Helen's. named White Bear Fredericks. White Bear was a member of the faculty at Verde Valley School. Helen was involved in a program for years, whereas. art students from Verde Valley School used her House of Apache Fires as an off-campus location of sorts. This beautiful movie was said to have been made for the Wonderful World of Disney and aired on the show's timeslot on Sunday night. However, even though the movie indeed aired on the show, I have found evidence that it was also released nationwide in theaters too. Walt Disney was not involved with this particular film though as he passed away a year earlier. The story was based on an authentic Hopi legend. The priest in the movie was played by White Bear, the boy was played by a child (Stanford Lomakema) from the Hopi reservation. The eagle was a trained bird that had also appeared in Lassie shows.

Another movie filmed in part at the now Red Rock State Park, was Trouble Bound. This film completed in 1993, starred Michael Madsen and Patricia Arquette. The movie only features one short scene filmed at the Visitor Center parking lot, however, the rest of the film was in and round Sedona. For more information on movies filmed at the ranch, please see the Wings of the Wind page, and this page, about Jack Frye and Aniline Film Corporation.

Helen Vanderbilt Frye pauses for this photograph at the stairway to her House of Apache Fires studio. For more photos of Helen and the House of Apache Fires, please see this page. Also there are many other glamorous photos of Helen here. Courtesy Rosie Armijo, 1960.

On the same day, we see Helen in Uptown Sedona, laughing and kidding with Elmer Purtyman, to look at the movie camera! Elmer built the House of Apache Fires and is seen giving people rides on his dirt bike.

Historical "Logging Wheels," used for harvesting timber in Northern Arizona at the turn of the century shown to the right, in 1968. The photo was color, but I only have a black and white version, at this time. A gift from Timothy Riordan, via Joseph Dolan to Jack and Helen Frye, in 1942. See letter from Helen Frye, dated September 11, 1942, just before they were delivered to Smoke Trail Ranch. The wheels still rest next to the House of Apache Fires, but now in ruins. In regard to this deterioration, I have been searching for vintage photos of the wheels. For more information on these historical artifacts, please see this link, then click on, "history of the logging wheels" on the left, of the NAU Alumni Webpage.

Manufacture date of these wheels is thought to be 1910-1916. Origin, Redding, California.

Above are displayed the logging wheels from the year of 1960. Captured from still movie frames of the ranch. No known "vintage" photos exist of the wheels from 1900-1950.

To the left, is how the logging wheels appear now, at Red Rock State Park, summer 2006. Click on the photo, for the larger version, they are more massive than they appear. Also note the recent Sedona Brin's Mesa Fire burning in the background.

Lastly, here we see a set of similar wheels completely restored. I noticed them one day when I was driving by the Flagstaff Train Depot. Massive, about 10 feet high, logs would be hooked on them and then a team of horse hitched for pulling out of the forest. Being from the Northwest, I prefer the more modern, "steam donkey" for logging in the same period.

In our present year of 2006- the House of Apache Fires is a heartwrenching image. Forlorn- crying for attention- it's heart weary of reaching out and finding no warmth from the many passing strangers.

Years of neglect assail visitors as they view Jack and Helen's former Sedona home. The house now at 60 is long overdue for a full restoration.

Windows of dispair and massive fireplaces long since cold, the only warmth here is from the intensive Arizona sun.

Stairway to the main entrance of the House of Apache Fires, noble and common have walked up these stairs, and knocked on this door, however silence is all that remains now. Can you hear the whispers of the carefree parties, the laughter and joy that once permeated these walls?

The north side of the Apache Fires house, seen in the shadows of a setting sun. These walls have seen nearly 60 years of the earth's spin.

Forgotten memories are evident in this lonely old gate, right below Jack and Helen Frye's House of Apache Fires. Likely dating to the 1940's, it has long since stopped swinging and is as silent as the lonely halls of the Frye mansion.

High on a cliff overlooking the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch, the House of Apache Fires still commands some of the best views in Sedona. Please note that the recently added porch with foundation, on the right, and the railings on the left, are not part of the original design or construction, and deter from the structure.

Frye Ranch, Rincon Meadow. Truly an enchanting place at twilight when this photo was captured. August 2008.

On June 20 2006, the now famous Brin's Fire consumes some of Sedona's most pristine wilderness. The raging flames weren't stopped until they nearly destroyed Oak Creek Canyon, considered a National Treasure. Here we see ironically, the House of Apache Fires and the burning horizon.

Captured at sunset the Frye house as shown from the south on the House of Apache Fires Loop Trail. August 2008.

Sedona Sunset illuminates Cathedral Rock, as seen from the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch in Sedona Arizona.

Some of the (current time frame) color images on this page were offered to me by John Millott and Jim Owens, both personal friends and Park Hosts at the former Frye Ranch, now Red Rock State Park, Sedona Arizona.

Part II- House of Apache Fires

For more photos and stories of the House of Apache Fires please see: Life at Smoke Trail Ranch and The House of Apache Fires,
from 1946-1962.

Part III- House of Apache Fires

Explores the missing link as to “who” the architect of the Apache Fires house truly was. Conceived by the Fryes and world famous architect, John Gaw Meem, of Santa Fe, N.M., 7 years of planning and delays went into the conception of this Frye mansion. Lost for 60 years- never before published!

The incredible Native American music: "Rain Maker" is performed by Elan Michaels. The music not only enhances this page, but is a perfect representation of Jack and Helen Frye's journey into the Southwest. Thank you Elan for your talented contribution to this work. Please click on the link below to visit Elan's website.

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are Copyrighted and the exclusive original protected property of the
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website.

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Sedona Legend Helen Frye