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| Life @ Smoke Trail Ranch |
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| and the House of Apache Fires |
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| Sedona Arizona |
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| From the Summer of 1947 on.... |
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| Sedona Legend Landmark Series |
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| As seen through an eye-witness Rosie Targhetta Armijo, (from 1947 to 1979). All following photos are from the personal collection of Ms. Armijo, unless otherwise noted. |
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| This new addition to the Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website is one of the most monumental ever! Why? Because it is a pictorial storybook of life at Smoke Trail Ranch, (now Red Rock State Park) in Sedona Arizona. Of course we all know this was the "Get-Away" playground for Jack Frye, founder of TWA, and his beautiful socialite wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye. At this breathtaking location they entertained knights, celebrities, movie stars, and Howard Hughes. Just how was this information derived? Fom a lady who was an actual eye-witness to the daily life of Smoke Trail Ranch from 1947 on................. Rosie Targhetta Armijo! Through this dear Frye friend, who became like a daughter to Jack and Helen Frye, we are able to travel back in time to a historic period of the glamorous history of Sedona Arizona! This story accompanied by priceless photographs and anecdotes from Rosie's own collection, is to be found no where else in the world! This section is for those out there who loved Jack and Helen Frye, those who love Red Rock State Park, those who are interested in the amazing history of this scenic ranch property; the most well-connected state property in Arizona! This addition to the Jack and Helen Frye Website is for you! A loving portrayal of Jack and Helen, the King and Queen of one of the most glamorous time-periods of Aviation History this country has ever known. |
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In 1947 Jack and Helen Frye were looking for a new ranch foreman to maintain their 700 acre ranch in Sedona Arizona, known as Smoke Trail Ranch, or the Frye Ranch. They had in their employ several ranch foremen/women previously, but because of the war, help was hard to come by. They even had a lady who was a ranch manager for a time roughly between 1942-1946. This was Patricia, (Paddy) O'Neill Mountfort. It was her husband, famous Hollywood and British portrait artist, Sir Arnold (Monty) Mountfort who painted two portraits of Helen while staying at the ranch right before he died in August 11, 1942. Please see this article. Paddy, after his death, became a more permanent resident and would often drive to Winslow, or the Frye Airport, near Cottonwood, to meet the Frye plane. If Helen was at the ranch they would go together. It has been said in magazine articles that Paddy and her husband suggested the name: the "Apache Fires" house, one evening during its construction. The smoke from the Native American Indian cook fires was seen to drift up over the cliff of which it was being built. Unfortunately, Paddy had a falling out with the Fryes in 1946. This is said to have occurred when she started to take liberties with her position. Supposedly she was telling people it was "her" ranch and made decisions that didn't include Helen or Jack. Naturally this did not set well with Helen who had tried to help Paddy by allowing her to stay at the ranch after her husband's death. Becoming very fond of Paddy she felt betrayed at Paddy's behavior when she and Jack were absent. Thus Paddy was vacated from the ranch. It is not known if the rift was ever mended, however, Helen was typically not one to harbor a grudge. Several Frye friends still recall the altercation. Because the Fryes owned many other properties they could not be at the ranch at all times to oversee it. This is an example of just how dependent the Fryes were on good help and how unfortunate it was if one of these people took advantage of the generosity and kindness the Fryes extended to all their friends and employees. All these associates Jack and Helen Frye considered part of their extended "family".
The next ranch manager they chose to employ was Joseph Targhetta, at the time in his early twenties. After they became acquainted with this young man, they were introduced to his sister, Rosie Targhetta in 1947. Even though the construction of the House of Apache Fires had been initiated by summer of 1946, Helen and Jack were still residing at the Willow House. This is a small cottage built in 1937, that still survives today at the park, as the park manager's residence. Jack resigned from TWA in spring of 1947, and spent much of his time in New York as president and CEO of Aniline Film Corporation, (GAF.) after July of that year. Often Maude Varner, Helen's mother, would visit Mrs. Frye when she was at the isolated ranch alone. It seemed during the war years that Helen and Jack were always short on help at the ranch. After becoming acquainted with Rosie, they implored her to come stay at the ranch for that first summer of '47. Rosie agreed, but it was understood she would have to return to school in Albuquerque in the fall. She returned on subsequent Christmas and spring breaks and for the following summers as often as time allowed. During this first period Rosie lived with Helen and Jack at the Willow House. |
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| Helen soon took Rosie under her wing, and a lifelong friendship was forged. This first summer at Smoke Trail Ranch was the beginning of warm rich memories of the ranch throughout the years for Rosie. Jack and Helen treated all their employees like family, and Rosie became like a daughter to the Fryes, soon she took to calling Jack "Pa." They all shared in the cooking at the Willow House, even Jack. One incident occurred after Jack and Helen had driven to Albuquerque to pick up a Doberman of which they named "Copper," for her color. The dog didn't transport well however, and on the way back to Sedona, she had several accidents. The car became such a mess Helen and Jack were forced to stop at a lake and clean-up the dog and themselves! Copper never really warmed up to people much, and in the evenings Rosie would have to lure him into the Willow House for the night. One afternoon, Jack was cooking a steak in the kitchen for himself. Copper, evidently quick to cease an opportunity, came sailing in, grabbed the juicy steak and escaped so quick that Jack didn't know what had happened. It appears Copper wasn't so shy when it came to dinner! At a later date, Helen had another dog that she really loved, named "Bumbo," (an Airedale,) one time another ranch Doberman picked a fight with him outside of the studio, (seems it was a regular event,) Rosie was scared to death, and thought they would surely kill each other. Finally she was able to kick one into the studio and slam the door. Meanwhile Helen and her then ranch foreman, (Walter Duncan) were down at the Willow House and heard the whole altercation. They jumped in the truck and tore up to the House of Apache Fires. There they found Rosie sitting on the studio steps crying. Helen ran in and got two shots of whiskey, and told Rosie, "drink this." It helped, but Rosie's nerves were stilled frayed! |
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Rosie and her brother Joseph Targhetta, Jack and Helen's ranch manager-foreman from about 1946-49. Photo taken with Jack and Helen's dog, Copper, "the crazy dog," probably in Oak Creek Canyon about 1947. |
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During this time frame the ranch hands, to include Rosie's brother, lived in the building near the present day ranch bunkhouse. In the 1940's there was an old red rock homestead that was utilized as well near the Willow House. There was very simple shack near the present day entrance to Red Rock State Park, where a man named "old John" was allowed to reside. He would often catch fish in the creek and bring them up to the Apache Fires house to be cooked.
Elmer Purtyman was the general contractor for the House of Apache Fires. Elmer would often come up to the house early and make a pot of coffee. Then he would bring a cup into Rosie, and say, "wake up you ornery little fiste!" Various other people worked on it as well from time to time. Two lady cabinet makers were hired to do all the interior wood work of the sprawling home. These two gay women were partners. Being very modern people for their time, Jack and Helen thought nothing of the situation, and welcomed the girls warmly. They soon fit right in and became valuable members of the Frye ranch family. The basic cabinets for the house, ordered from Sears and Roebuck, were installed and customized by Jean Foster and her partner. Helen had them scrape all the cabinets with a wire brush, "fatiguing them," then Helen painted them all turquoise and another blended shade. They turned out beautifully. The two girls resided at the bunkhouse. Jean was a very gifted artist as well. While at the ranch she painted a beautiful portrait of Helen, Rosie remembers it as having moonlight on Helen's face, and for some reason Rosie's brother was shown in the background. It was an absolute masterpiece. When it was shown to Jack, he immediately wanted to buy it. However, Jean wouldn't part with it. It seems the portrait was the beginning of Jean becoming attracted to Helen's beauty and vibrant personality. Eventually she felt she was in love with Helen. Discomfort resulted for her partner and Helen, which resulted in a falling out. On a dark stormy day it all came to a head and Jean stated she was "leaving!" Helen implored Jean, "please don't leave like this, at least let someone drive you into town." Jean refused, and walked into town all alone. One can imagine her heartbreak, knowing her love for Helen could never be, and her own relationship in ruins. Later that summer Rosie and Helen went to see Jean in Flagstaff, and everything was smoothed over. It is not known if Jean and her partner survived the incident. However the most heart wrenching aspect of the story is that in her anguish Jean destroyed the exquisite painting of Helen, which saddened everyone. However, Jack and Helen forgave the tragedy, and welcomed Jean back into their lives as a friend. This story just serves to show that Helen and Jack were always understanding and empathetic no matter how delicate the situation was. |
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| With the House of Apache Fires nearly completed by 1948, Helen and Jack had Rosie move into one of the two rooms for the "staff" behind the kitchen. Rosie's job was to be a combo "housekeeper-girl Friday, for the large home. Helen and Jack hired a full-time cook, Jane, to prepare the meals. She joined Rosie in the adjoining bedroom. Rosie said of Jane, that even though she proved to be a terrific cook, and Jack and Helen adored her, she enjoyed "drinking" while she was cooking. It became one of Rosie's duties to make sure Jane remained sober, until the food was on the table and the guests were served. |
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| Here we see Jane live-in cook who lived at the ranch starting in 1948 to about 1950. One of several chefs that worked for the Fryes at their various homes, Jane resided in the bedroom behind the kitchen at the House of Apache Fires. Jack and Helen always kept livestock and poultry on the ranch. Here Jane feeds resident turkeys in front of the entrance to the studio at the House of Apache Fires. Rosie remembers one holiday when "smoked turkey" was served to guests! |
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To the left is the original "commercial" restaurant gas range that was installed at the House of Apache Fires by the Fryes. The range was specifically chosen to serve a large numbers of guests, similar to the the kitchens of the other Fryes homes. A fan sits on the adjoining woodstove for air-circulation. One notices salt and pepper shakers on the left shelf area, with a box of matches underneath. Unfortunately nothing remains today of this scene at the house. Investigation reveals only the stove pipe coming out of the roof, a lonely reminder of more glorious days for the Fryes and the House of Apache Fires! |
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Helen and Jack's bedroom was directly below the studio. Here they had a hanging bed in front of the large windows overlooking the valley. A king bed was hung from the ceiling by chains from log rounds, (similar to the ceiling support vegas.) The ceiling vegas were ponderosa pine. Everyone always wanted to sleep in the unusula bed. On hot Sedona nights, summer breezes would sweep up the canyon walls and into the large suite, making it one of the most refreshing areas of the villa. The room had a fireplace and sitting area. However because there were always many guests in the house, for privacy Jack and Helen often slept upstairs in the studio. Helen would put a lawn chair across the stairway to the studio, which indicated to the staff that it was "off-limits." Jack and Helen, who were both avid "sun-worshippers, and liked to sunbathe on the private and secluded studio deck.
The studio was finished with comfortable seating and two small beds. The walls were painted turquoise and sand, and there were beautifully crafted shelves and built-in storage areas, designed and built by Jean Foster and her partner. There was a fireplace, bathroom, closet, and a room that was to be Jack's darkroom for his photography work. The shelves were lined with a library of books, kachinas, and native American Indian art. Jack did a lot of reading while at the ranch. There was a "service buzzer" that rang here. The housekeeper or cook downstairs, when wanting to reach Jack or Helen, would ring a button and it would notify them up at the studio. Then Helen or Jack would pick up the telephone, in this method they could talk to the downstairs staff. There was telephone service at the House of Apache Fires, and the Willow House, from the early 1940's. This thought to be the first such convenience in Sedona, initiated for TWA business. Rosie remembers Howard Hughes calling and talking to Jack many times, this even after their famous falling out in 1946. This same observation is backed up by Jack's daughter, Nev.
The remainder of the house was completedly finished including all openings glassed and doored, (except one entry.) The only unfinished portions were the "his" and "hers" dressing rooms off of Helen and Jack's bedroom, and the master bath. The dining room-living area and Jack's office were as well unfinished and building materials were stacked in these rooms. Because of the entertaining that was done on the ranch, Helen had a commercial gas range installed in the kitchen, which was obtained from a nearby restaurant. Adjoining this range was a cookstove. Jane always rose early and had coffee on, and cooked everyone whatever they wanted for breakfast. Rosie remembers asking Helen how they would ever be able to work on the stove, as it was cemented in place. Helen said in her cheerful way, "well, I guess they will have to blast it out!" One day, Helen was exasperated with the placement of the stones in the master bedroom fireplace. This is why today there exists two different photos of the same fireplace, with a totally different pattern of rock work. Helen called everyone, including Rosie to look at the fireplace one morning, and said, "you had better all get a look at this stone work and take a picture, because it is all coming down, and I am going to redo the entire fireplace." Soon it was finished more to Helen's standards! |
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| Entertaining at the Apache Fires House and Sedona in the 1940's. |
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The house was set up for large gatherings, as was the ranch. Jack and Helen did ample entertaining here, and a lot of cooking. This came easy for them, and they entertained constantly at their homes in Merriam, (Kansas City) and Hillcrest Farm in Virginia. Guests at the House of Apache Fires and the ranch included celebrities 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 loved this new home, the first they had built together, and the entertaining was a reflection of that.
Hollywood-Moscow Mules and Sedona
There were parties at other locations too, like Crescent Moon Ranch and Oak Creek Canyon. One such event is remembered at the Babbitts in the canyon. Rosie's brother was to be the bartender, but for some reason at the last minute he was unable to participate. So Helen and Jack elected Rosie to serve the drinks. Of course Rosie was nervous, as she had never mixed drinks before! During this time period there was a very trendy drink called the "Moscow Mule." It was initiated by the "Cock'n' Bull" Restaurant in Hollywood in about 1946. There was an abundance of Vodka available during the war, and they had invented a drink to utilize this. Jack and Helen, when in Hollywood had discovered this drink, and decided to make it the theme of their Oak Creek Canyon party. Rosie was really excelling in serving the concotion. However, Jack and Helen noticed an unusual effect at the party. Everyone was drinking and having a nice time, but no one was feeling......well, shall we say, "buzzed." Finally they realized that although Vodka is quite invisible in a drink, in these drinks the Vodka was positively missing! Rosie in her inexperience as a bartender had neglected to add the liquor! Finally after serving everyone the "real" drinks, the party excelled!
Another memorable party was held at Red Rock Crossing, (as we know it today.) Crescent Moon Ranch was located here. Rosie was the 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 visit and have a drink with them. Rosie found herself becoming more and more relaxed! The next morning Helen received calls from many in Sedona congratulating her and Jack on a wonderful event, complimenting Rosie on what a charming personality she was! Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning, very close friends of the Fryes, came with their two white fluffy dogs. They also attended many other Frye gatherings. |
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| Glamorous Dorothea Tanning and surealist Max Ernst, accompanied by their two Lhasa Alpso dogs, Sedona, about 1948. Both were early Sedona residents and two of the Red Rock Country's most famous artists. |
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This logo appeared on the copper mugs that were used to serve the famous "Moscow Mule" in 1940's Hollywood!
You too can enjoy the only drink so far to be associated with Jack and Helen Frye:
2 ounces Vodka (ice cold)
1 ounce of Lime juice
4 ounces of Ginger beer (ice cold)
Preferably served in a copper mug with a slice of lime! |
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| Although there was access to the house on the east side of Oak Creek from Red Rock Crossing, Rosie says the Fryes always came in from Red Rock Loop Road where the current road is now. From the Willow House to the House of Apache Fires, one fords the river where the road crosses the creek, presumably where the current crossing is now. The current "Kingfisher" bridge was not the location of the former bridge. The "Frye" walking bridge across the creek washed out in 1967, and was behind the Willow House. From there people would walk on around the riverbank to the trail leading up to the House of Apache Fires. Skinny dipping was a regular occurence on the ranch, and quite normal for that day and age. There were three swimming holes utilized by the Fryes and their guests. One was below the House of Apache Fires, right under the current Kingfisher trail bridge. The other was behind the Willow House, and the last one, used up into the late 70's was near the State Park Entry Station, in a natural deep area of the creek. |
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| During war new cars were hard to come by. Helen had a car at the ranch that was giving her a lot of trouble, and she wanted to replace it. She discussed it with Jack and he explained that he was unable to locate a new car for her. One day, Jack as President of TWA, was late for a commercial flight back to Kansas City or New York. All commercial flights from the ranch were boarded at Winslow Arizona a major TWA hub and terminal at the time. Running late, Jack and Helen rushed around and threw everything in the car and started the long journey, about three hours to Winslow, to catch the TWA airliner. Halfway up Oak Creek Canyon, the car gave out and refused to go forward one more inch. Unfortunately this happened on an unusually narrow part of the road. Jack after tinkering with the car realized that the transmission would work in reverse, but not drive. So he got the car turned around and backed the automobile up Oak Creek Canyon to a place where it was safe enough to pull off and flag down some help. One can imagine the look on people's faces as the car was seen driving backwards up the canyon! Needless to say, Helen didn't have to drive that car anymore. Jack, always able to pull a rabbit out of a hat, couldn't locate a new car, but an employee at TWA had a brand new convertible. Somehow Jack with his incredible charisma and charm worked out a deal with the guy, and soon Helen was presented with a brand new red convertible! |
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Rosie helping out Jack and Helen by milking a ranch cow in about 1948. As seen behind Rosie is one of the only known pictures of an old ranch homestead which was where close to where the state park bunkhouse is today. The other homestead was the Armijo house at the now Cross Creek Ranch. Rosie is seated in the Smoke Trail Ranch barn which is no longer there, it was located below the House of Apache Fires, close to where the Arizona State Park shops are today. |
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| Richard Duncan riding a beautiful Pinto below the House of Apache Fires in about 1957. |
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Abundant lush lawns greet guests- contrary to myths surrounding the House of Apache Fires, there was a water well installed at the onset of construction which enabled landscaping to be generously irrigated. As stated by Rosie Armijo, "Helen Frye would never consider living in a any home without all the modern conveniences, to include hot & cold water, heat, cooking gas and electricity. Anyone who would say otherwise didn't know Helen very well"! The House of Apache Fires was no exception to this modernization. |
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Glamorous Mrs. Helen Vanderbilt Frye with guests in the late fifties.
Can you identify this mystery man with Helen at the Apache Fires House? He is also shown above, with his wife at a Red Rock Country airstrip. He was likely Helen's banker or attorney. |
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Construction on the House of Apache Fires mansion was from the time frame of 1946-1949. The general contractor, Elmer Purtyman is shown working on the front entrance, outside the kitchen and living room. The facing door allows entrance to the kitchen area, and the adjoining maid and housekeeper living quarters. |
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| Below we see the home in about 1949 shortly after the near completion. The scene shown is the front entrance to the house. |
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| Rather blurry photo of the House of Apache Fires in about 1949. Note the pet turkeys at the rear entry way. The placement of Ocotillo branches over the framework of porticos is yet incomplete. |
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Faye Crenshaw shown in 1954 with her three nieces. Faye was one of Helen's dearest life-long friends, and was Sedona's first and most renowned early area realtor! |
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| Mrs. Jack Frye in 1948 with Rosie, on the terrace of her and Jack's new Sedona home: the House of Apache Fires. This terrace area is shown in an incomplete state. The dogs are Copper, and Sonja (the police dog.) Helen rescued Sonja in New York, as Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt IV, from abusive owners. A remarkably psychic canine, Sonja could sense the sorrow of TWA airliner crashes and would run to Jack Frye's side to comfort him. Please see this page. |
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| A ranch kitty explores the new roof of the Frye mansion studio in the summer of 1948. |
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Rosie enjoying some much needed "R&R" on the House of Apache Fires studio deck, circa 1948. Photo taken by Helen Vanderbilt Frye. This area was known to the staff as the private quarters of Jack and Helen Frye- usually "off limits" to all ranch employees except Rosie. |
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| Swimming Party at Cresent Moon Ranch at the base of Cathedral Rock just up river from the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch. Here Helen Vanderbilt Frye is seen swimming at the Cresent Moon Ranch Ranch swimming pool in about 1959! |
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Adjoining is the entrance to master bedroom on the left, from rear of the house. This entrance was as well, designed to give Jack access to his TWA office off the master bedroom area. This specifically was to provide Jack with a more private entrance than the home's front northwest courtyard.
Although by the time the house was finished, Jack had resigned from TWA. It is not known if the office was ever used by him. The room has spectacular views of the ranch and Oak Creek. |
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The steps show the grand entrance to the sky-deck-like roof patio of the sprawling ranch home. With a roof-top stone fireplace, entertaining was executed here with some of the best views in Sedona! |
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| Jack and Helen Frye's, 700-some-acre Smoke Trail Ranch as seen in 1949. The valley devoid of development with verdant fields of hay and the life-giving ribbon of Oak Creek. The Apache Fires house, now famous outdoor terrace fireplace framed by the backdrop of Cathedral Rock, Sedona Arizona's most famous photo location. |
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| The Apache Fire's roof top fireplace, framed by the magnificence of Cathedral Rock, was the scene of many a swanky Frye party. |
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Rosie Targhetta Armijo, sitting outside the House of Apache Fires studio entrance, (Jack and Helen Frye's private quarters) in about 1948. A masterpiece of "Native American, Indian-Ruin Architecture," the home still stands proud today, however, as a mere shadow of its former glory. |
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| Two 1940's glamour girls, the architect of the House of Apache Fires, Helen Frye, accompanied by Rosie Targhetta Armijo, who became like a daughter to Jack and Helen. The two are shown in front of the outdoor fireplace on the terrace of the famous Apache Fires ranch house. The scene of many a gala hosted by the Frye's. Notice the chimney is still in a state of construction the flue has not been completely rocked. (1948) |
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| Return to the House of Apache Fires page |
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| Return to the Main Page |
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All materials on this website, unless otherwise notated are Copyrighted,
and the exclusive original protected property of the
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website. |
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Gracious thanks to Rosie Targhetta Armijo
for her rich stories and photos used on this page. |
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Helen Frye (center), with Rosie and her husband Frank in 1955 at Baldwin's Crossing, now known as Red Rock Crossing |
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Copyright
2003-2008
All Rights Reserved |
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| This website is totally non-profit and generates no income. |
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| Thank you for visiting |
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| Sedona Legend Helen Frye |
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