James Bell Girand - McGuireville, AZ
N 34° 40.346 W 111° 46.365
12S E 429204 N 3836989
This plaque honors the accomplishments of James B. Girand, Arizona's first highway engineer.
Waymark Code: WMWGAY
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 09/01/2017
Views: 5
This bronze plaque is attached to a concrete cube at the Northbound McGuireville Rest Area on I-17. The plaque reads as follows: The McGuireville Rest Area dedicated to the engineering achievement of James Bell Girand 1873 - 1949.
An Arizona builder whose broad professional abilities were applied to highways, railroads and irrigation water rights. He was the first and only territorial highway engineer, appointed in 1909. He served through February 14, 1912, statehood day, to March 12, 1912, giving him the distinction also as first official state highway engineer.
His engineering studies, printed and approved by his successor, established the two basic East - West routes across Arizona and also the North - South route from Phoenix through Prescott and Camp Verde to Flagstaff. His bridge over the Verde River at Camp Verde on the county road North of town was in use until 1972.
Dedicated July 4, 1976 by the Arizona State Transportation Board in cooperation with the Arizona section, American Society of Civil Engineers.
Location: McGuireville Rest Area North I-17 Arizona
Website with more information on either the memorial or the person(s) it is dedicated to: Not listed
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