In 1870's Colonel George Stoneman, commander of army troops in AZ using an old Indian trial built a military road from Ft. McDowell (Phoenix) to Ft. Whipple (Prescott). The road went north from Rio Verde, cutting through the now present McDowell Mountain Regional Park, south of the Carefree Airport and into the north flank of Black Mountain in Cave Creek to New River and Black Canyon City and on to Prescott. This route shortened the distance between the two points, as well as gave the wagon trains at least one other watering place. For twenty years this trail was the preferred method of travel between two of the most active forts in AZ.
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