Sedona AZ (March 28, 2018) – The Sedona Heritage Museum is hosting the next in its Living History speaker series on Wednesday April 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the Museum when Don and Chris Godard tell stories about the history of cement and the Clarkdale Cement Plant.
When announced in the mid-1950s, the Clarkdale Cement Plant was to supply materials for the development of Glen Canyon Dam, and close at completion of the dam. The Arizona building boom has kept it open ever since. Originally, the builders envisioned it as the first of several materials processing endeavors in the Verde Valley, including potential wallboard fabrication, rock wool manufacturing and perhaps even pulp or steel plants. Opened in 1959, acquired by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in 1987, and modernized in 2002, the plant is a major employer in the area and produces upwards of 35 percent of all the cement manufactured in Arizona.
This presentation will include how Clarkdale’s railroad presence and limestone deposits led to the plant’s location, and how over time, the plant’s existence and need for fly ash and other resources has led to expanding its reach in northern Arizona with complementary businesses.
Don Godard is a life-long Verde Valley resident, and he worked at the Clarkdale Cement Plant. Don’s background led Chris to study the fascinating and ancient history of cement and concrete and its historical significance world-wide.
This is a free event and open to the public.
Every year, the Sedona Heritage Museum presents a series of Living History talks. Speakers include descendants of pioneers, long-time residents with historical stories to share or other story-tellers about history. The Museum is located at 735 Jordan Road in Jordan Historical Park in Uptown Sedona and is open daily 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 928-282-7038.