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Exploring the art of the Stairizona Trail

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If you enjoy hiking, urban art or quaint western towns, take a trip to Globe and explore the Stairizona Trail. Concrete stairs, sidewalks and even bridges are scattered along paths through the heart of the historic mining town. Embellished stair risers and murals featuring local plants, animals and culture add to the fun. From the 84-step Pascoe staircase featuring Brandt Woods’ cascade of over 3,400 painted poppies to Katie Stewart’s magnificent mosaic quail steps on Yuma Street to 14-year-old Aili Sneezy’s huge mural of cacti against the Arizona flag, the variety of art will amaze you. Many of the art projects were spearheaded by I ART Globe, but other organizations independently sponsored several other artworks including the giant Globe postcard on Broad Street.

Stairizona’s three loops range from 1.4 to 6.4 miles, allowing hikers of all abilities to enjoy the journey. The two shorter loops wander through downtown neighborhoods before returning to Broad Street with its collection of restaurants and shops. The long loop offers a view of downtown from G Hill and a chance to visit the historic Globe cemetery, final resting place for several buffalo soldiers, Phin Clanton (of the Tombstone Clantons) and many notables from the early years of the area. Continuing further on Loop 3, hikers can visit the Globe dog park, with its portraits of local canines, and enjoy the view of downtown Globe from the High Street Bridge.

Why do the stairs exist? In the early 1900s, automobiles were rare and miners walked to work or to the bus stop or across town to visit friends. Everything was uphill or downhill, often via steep dangerous trails. Stairs made walking easier and safer in towns like Bisbee, Miami, Superior and Globe. Although some people believe they date to the WPA projects of the late 1930s, no one really knows when they  were built. A panoramic photograph predating the WPA shows the Pascoe stairs stretching uphill. The 1929 Sanborn Insurance map shows the Sutherland Street pedestrian bridge.

As the years passed, weeds grew where people no longer walked and the stairs were almost unremembered. A decade ago, former Globe Councilmember Dezi Baker saw their potential for recreation and dubbed the project “Stairizona.” The project languished for a decade. Then the Old Dominion Park was closed due to environmental and safety concerns and people began investigating alternative recreational venues. Baker’s dreams for the stairs of Globe gained new support and a champion in Thea Wilshire.

Wilshire saw urban art as a way to restore civic energy after the COVID lockdown. She invited 76 groups and people to join her in the creation of I ART Globe. The group’s goal was completing 12 art projects in 12 months. But the project grew and Wilshire decided she needed help. Wilshire remained executive director of I ART Globe, but Regina Ortega joined her as art director. The scope of projects grew beyond art installations to events, such as a Chalkathon and educating artists about the paperwork and procedures involved in becoming recognized professionals.

The current map of the Stairizona paths shows 31 different artworks, but more are planned. Check out I ART Globe on Facebook to keep updated on events and new art installations.