Isaacson Building
a.k.a. Greer Hotel
37 Commercial St., St. Johns, AZThe Isaacson Building is historically significant for its association with Mormon pioneer and St. Johns businessman, Isaac Isaacson. Isaacson was born in Ephraim, Utah in 1859. In 1876, during the Mormon colonization of Arizona, he emigrated to Brigham City, a colony sited on the Little Colorado River north of present-day Winslow.
While at Brigham City, he began his entrepreneurial pursuits, hauling lumber from the colony sawmill to other settlements, contracting to construct portions of the AtlanticPacific Railroad across northern Arizona, and cutting hay.
After Brigham City failed, he moved to an area north of St. Johns known as "The Meadows" and was married in 1882. While in this location, he constructed a dam and raised grain and alfalfa which he marketed at various locations in the region. He also raised cattle and became involved in the region's extensive cattle business.
At the turn of the century, he moved his family to St. Johns where he continued his business interests and branched into politics. He served as County Supervisor for six years, County Treasurer for two, and was Road Superintendent for several years.
In addition to stone quarrying and freighting, he began a sawmill business (at one time he had four sawmills in operation) which continued until his death in 1944.
During this period, he provided the stone and lumber for the construction of his building on Commercial Street. The local newspaper recorded the event: "Workmen have about finished the excavation work for the new building to be put up by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., one of our local capitalists whose faith in the future of St. Johns remains fixed and firm. ... Mr. Isaacson is uncertain as to what this building will be used for when finished."
Later newspaper reports revealed that a restaurant was operated on the first floor, and the second-floor rooms were furnished for renters.
In 1924 ownership was transferred to one of his twelve children, Natalia Greer, who operated the building as a hotel until ca. 1978. Ownership was transferred to her son, Gilbert Greer, II, and in 1980 to Valera Goesling, the present owner.
The Isaacson Building, constructed of materials cut and hauled by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., embodies the significance of his role in the historic development of St. Johns and Apache County, Arizona.
Local significance of the building:
While at Brigham City, he began his entrepreneurial pursuits, hauling lumber from the colony sawmill to other settlements, contracting to construct portions of the AtlanticPacific Railroad across northern Arizona, and cutting hay.
After Brigham City failed, he moved to an area north of St. Johns known as "The Meadows" and was married in 1882. While in this location, he constructed a dam and raised grain and alfalfa which he marketed at various locations in the region. He also raised cattle and became involved in the region's extensive cattle business.
At the turn of the century, he moved his family to St. Johns where he continued his business interests and branched into politics. He served as County Supervisor for six years, County Treasurer for two, and was Road Superintendent for several years.
In addition to stone quarrying and freighting, he began a sawmill business (at one time he had four sawmills in operation) which continued until his death in 1944.
During this period, he provided the stone and lumber for the construction of his building on Commercial Street. The local newspaper recorded the event: "Workmen have about finished the excavation work for the new building to be put up by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., one of our local capitalists whose faith in the future of St. Johns remains fixed and firm. ... Mr. Isaacson is uncertain as to what this building will be used for when finished."
Later newspaper reports revealed that a restaurant was operated on the first floor, and the second-floor rooms were furnished for renters.
In 1924 ownership was transferred to one of his twelve children, Natalia Greer, who operated the building as a hotel until ca. 1978. Ownership was transferred to her son, Gilbert Greer, II, and in 1980 to Valera Goesling, the present owner.
The Isaacson Building, constructed of materials cut and hauled by Isaac Isaacson, Sr., embodies the significance of his role in the historic development of St. Johns and Apache County, Arizona.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Grand Canyon was not always a national park: The Grand Canyon was first designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, and it was not until 1919 that it became a national park. Today, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
About Apache County
Apache County Timeline
Apache County, located in northeastern Arizona, has a rich and colorful history that spans thousands of years. The area was historically home to various Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Apache, Zuni, and Hopi peoples. These tribes thrived in the region, adapting to the challenging desert environment and establishing trading networks with nearby tribes.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
Apache County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Apache County, Arizona.
- 1879 - Apache County is established on February 24, 1879, as one of the original four counties of the Arizona Territory.
- 1880 - The county seat is designated as St. Johns, which becomes the oldest continuously inhabited community in Arizona.
- 1881 - The town of Holbrook is founded and quickly becomes a hub for the region's livestock industry.
- 1882 - The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad completes a line through Winslow, bringing increased transportation and economic opportunities to the area.
- 1889 - The famous Pleasant Valley War, a deadly feud between cattlemen, reaches its peak in Apache County.
- 1931 - The iconic Petrified Forest National Monument is established within the county's boundaries, preserving unique geological formations and fossilized trees.
- 1964 - The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is established, providing recreational opportunities and protecting important wildlife habitats.
- 1986 - Apache County experiences a major economic boom when the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, begins operations.
- 2005 - The Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is established, featuring scenic attractions such as the spectacular Antelope Canyon.