The Snowflake Monument
By Naomi Hatch
The history of Snowflake began when William J. Flake left the United Order in Old Taylor, about five miles below Allen’s Camp, and purchased the Stinson Ranch along the Silver Creek. Flake obtained the water rights and sold the land for the same terms as he purchased it. Destitute pioneer families began settling in the little community. In September 1878, while en route to Utah to get supplies, Flake met Erastus Snow, Jesse N. Smith and Ira Hinckley, who were heading south to the Arizona Territory. Flake told Snow about his withdrawal from the United Order, the purchase of the Stinson Ranch and the sale of land to other families. Flake asked if he had done right and Snow assured him that he had, and made him bishop of the community. Flake asked what he could name his post office, and Snowflake replied, “Snow Flake,” after himself and Flake. In 1997 Glen Flake, who was president of the William J. Flake family organization, decided it was time for Snowflake to honor its founders. What began as a dream became reality in 2000 when a monument depicting the naming of Snowflake was dedicated. Sculptor Justin Fairbanks designed a monument of heroic proportions that gave the townspeople and descendants of Snowflake’s early pioneers an opportunity to unite and pay tribute to a beautiful little community located in northeastern Arizona. Fairbanks, whose wife Loree is a descendent of Flake, donated many hours to making this monument. The Snowflake Heritage Foundation sponsored the project. People from the community donated time and labor to make the project happen. Lynn Johnson, daughter of John and Evelyn Taylor, was the project chairperson, with Cleone Solomon serving as the Snowflake chairperson. The committee raised $180,000 to build the monument. The monument was to be dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he was ill that weekend so his second counselor, James E. Faust, gave the dedicatory prayer in 2000.
