Time capsule reveal marks courthouse's 50th anniversary

Last Thursday, Gila County celebrated the county courthouse's 50th birthday with a time capsule opening.

“Ninety to 95% of all time capsules are forgotten,” said speaker James Dawdy, whose grandfather — also named James — was among the county supervisors who dedicated the courthouse on July 4, 1976. The younger Dawdy did not forget this one. 

“A few months ago, I remembered my father telling me about a time capsule in the courthouse,” said Dawdy, who lives in the Chicago area. 

He contacted Robert Bigando, Gila County Historical Society’s executive director, whose research confirmed the time capsule's existence. A 1976 newspaper photo helped them locate it.

Dawdy added that his baby picture was apparently put in the capsule. 

“I'm just here to get my baby picture back,” he quipped.

Bigando summarized the history of the courthouse. As the county's third courthouse, it was designed by Tucson architect Anne Rysdale. 

County supervisors Steve Christensen, Woody Cline and Chairman Tim Humphrey also spoke.

“It's kind of crazy how the stars align,” said Humphrey, noting how the building's 50th anniversary coincided with the nation's 250th.

The capsule held six sealed envelopes from various individuals, including former supervisors James Dawdy and Adolph “Fito” Trujillo; a sealed envelope from Lawrence Hickey & Sons, the firm that built the courthouse; newspapers and other documents; carpet samples; and photos and a floor plan of the new building.

Joe Sanchez, board member of Bullion Plaza Museum, opened Trujillo's envelope. It included an article on Miami's 1951 high school basketball state championship team, on which Trujillo played, as well as some coins. In his grandfather's envelope, Dawdy found, among other things, a photo spread of the 1976 supervisors, and his baby picture.

Humphrey said the next step will be photographing the envelopes' contents to put on the county website, adding that the items would then probably be offered to family members. As for the time capsule itself, the board is considering adding items and putting it back where it was found.