Flames leaped 300 feet into the night sky near King’s Ranch about 6:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, 2004. Some 25 patrons in the Apacheland restaurant escaped the fire unharmed, but Apacheland Movie Ranch burned to the ground for the second time in its 45-year history.

The fire only left a few buildings standing. Ironically, the little white chapel used in Elvis Presley’s film “Charro” survived for the second time. Other buildings survived the fire at the west end of the movie set. The fire reportedly began somewhere near the restaurant in an electrical box. The Apache Junction Fire District was still putting out hot spots the following morning.

The fire was devastating to Ed and Sue Birmingham and their employees. They always prided themselves in preserving the movie history of the area. Apacheland was a special place to many people, a place were memories of our silver screen cowboy heroes came alive and reminded us of how important their impact was on our lives.

Television series such as Wyatt Earp with Hugh O’Brien, Wanted Dead or Alive with Steve McQueen, Have Gun Will Travel with Richard Boone, The Virginian, Rawhide, and several episodes of Little House on the Prairie produced television heroes for us. John Wayne, Audie Murphy, Ronald Reagan, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley and Jason Robards were just some of the silver screen feature length stars that performed for the cameras at Apacheland.

Sadly enough, a lot of historical artifacts and materials were lost in the two fires. The first fire, in 1969, claimed Levis Brown’s collection of early medical instruments that belonged to Dr. L. M. Tompkins of Gilbert. Many of the instruments dated back to 1910. Many photographs autographed by Hollywood stars were lost in both fires. Ben Cole, Apacheland’s official Dutchman for several years, possessed one of the finest collections of photographs autographed by Hollywood stars.

Apacheland was first planned to be an amusement park and film studio late in 1959. Original construction began on February 12, 1960, and the ground- breaking ceremony was held on March 19, 1960, with Will Rogers Jr. being on hand.

William W. Creighton was the man behind the dream when he came to Apache Junction in the late 1950s. Spencer D. Stewart helped make this dream come true by providing the financial backing for Apacheland. The movie set was originally constructed for Dick Powell’s Death Valley Days and originally starred Robert Taylor, than Ronald Reagan. A large sound studio was constructed on the western end of the lot. The walls of this studio were about forty feet high. Winds have since toppled this massive building.

My first involvement with Apache Land was when my wife, Sharon and her friend purchased 100 shares each of the first stock options offered for sale to the public by Superstition Mountain Enterprises Inc. in July of 1960.

We all sat in the Cowboy Steak House at Apacheland and signed the papers for the stock. We walked the streets of Apacheland and admired our investment in the future. Stock was once more offered for sale on August 4, 1961. The Federal Securities Exchange Commission authorized the sale of two million shares at $2.50 a share. William W. Creighton had dreams of a large hotel for the stars in Apache Junction. This idea became a reality when the Superstition Ho Hotel was completed in 1960. Creighton also brought the Houston Colt 45’s baseball team (now the Houston Astros) to Apache Junction for spring training at Geronimo Park in 1961 and 1962. An economic slump in 1964 brought the development of Apache Junction and Apacheland to a halt.

The 54-acre western town Apacheland was sold at sheriff’s auction on January 29, 1965, to satisfy a loan held against the movie set by Home Savings and Loan. The Superstition Mountain Enterprise had finally failed, and Apacheland had gone into receivership. John Porter Manufacturing Co. took over Apacheland after purchasing it at the sheriff’s auction. Spencer D. Stewart owned the John Porter Manufacturing Company.

The film Charro, starring Elvis Presley was made at Apacheland when he was at the peak of his career in 1968. The following spring after the filming of Charro the first fire occurred on May 25, 1969. This fire burned into the morning of May 26, 1969. After this devastating fire Apacheland was rebuilt in time to start shooting of Death Valley Days on July 25, 1969. Also at the same time Dallas Adair moved his riding stable down to Apacheland from Lake City, Colo., to help out during the filming of Death Valley Days. Dallas told me one day he had moved down just in time for the fire.

On July 13, 1977, Vernon Piehl purchased the studio, according to local newspapers and renamed it Superstition Studios. Artist Ted DeGrazia was involved with the studio for a short time, but later opted to do his own gallery near the base of Superstition Mountain east of Apache Junction.

On Labor Day 1977, Vernon Piehl planned a big, new grand opening for the Superstition Studios. Piehl could never make Apacheland go as Superstition Studio so the property remained in the hands of Stewart Spencer’s daughter, Sue Schilleman (later Birmingham). In January of 1981 the old movie set was put up for auction, but an offer of $400,000 was turned down.

Ed and Sue Birmingham closed Apacheland in 1984. There was another attempt to open Apacheland on January 3, 1990 by a group called Apacheland Tours and Chuck Wagon Dinners. Charlie Graves came down from Colorado looking for a new place for his chuck wagon dinners and theater. This venture failed after a season or so.

Early in 1993, Ed and Sue Birmingham began to restore Apacheland to its original movie set condition. Hard work, sweat and tears helped to build the movie set again. They opened a restaurant and saloon on April 16, 1994, that became very popular in the Apache Junction- Gold Canyon area. Ed Birmingham revitalized an old movie set and found filming companies interested in it. HBO filmed Blind Justice starring Armand Assante.

The Birmingham's worked closely with the Arizona Film Commission and the Apache Junction Film Commission to promote the film industry in Arizona. Ed and Sue helped sponsor the “Elvis Lives” festival with the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce for two years in row. The restaurant and streets of Apacheland once again attracted people from around the country and the world. The Birmingham's were involved in many charitable community events at Apacheland and did everything with class. Apacheland had found new stars.

Those who have enjoyed working at Apacheland and those who enjoyed visiting at Apacheland all know how important the values of our silver screen cowboy heroes have always been to us. Apacheland, for just a few minutes, reminded us of the past and the spirit of the Old West. Apacheland films reminded us that the good often won. This was part of the value of this wonderful place called Apacheland. 

As a foot note, the Superstition Mountain Inn (Grand Hotel) was razed in 2007 ending forever the physical legacy of motion picture industry in the Apache Junction area. Apacheland created a lot of dreams in the minds of men. Today, both museums along the Apache Trail are making an effort to preserve this film history in our community. Visit them and enjoy the film history of the Superstition Mountain region.

To request photos, submit question and donate items, please email Apacheland@gmail.com Copyright © 1993-2009 Sunset Route, LTD. All Rights Reserved .

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