Superstition club keeps history alive, US 60 clean

One of my favorite roles managing Adopt a Highway Volunteer program data is recognizing new groups just discovering this meaningful opportunity to improve Arizona and groups that have given back for decades. 

The Dons of Arizona name recently surfaced in a volunteer report, and the name intrigued me. I dug in further and discovered the title represents an organization founded in 1930 that shares the namesake of past president Don Strobaugh, who came up with the idea to adopt a highway as an opportunity for the club to do a community service project. Years later the name still honors the founder and members' ambitions for preserving the history, legends and lore of Arizona and the Southwest.

The first volunteer permit was issued December 1992, and that launched the 33 years of Adopt a Highway service. Since then, ADOT estimates about 6,000 pounds of trash has been bagged along the group’s scenic stretch.

I had the opportunity to communicate with Don and group leader Sergio Rimola, who shared more about the history with me.  

“Our first cleanup was held on Feb 7, 1993, and we've done two cleanups every year since. One in February and one in October,” Rimola said. “Our stretch of highway is in the vicinity of Peralta Trail, which is where our Dons’ Basecamp is located on Superstition Mountain.”

The club's main objective is to study and disseminate Arizona’s history, including the fabled Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, which is believed to be located in the Superstition Wilderness.

The Dons activities include hosted field trips of the area for Arizona third-graders, and they also maintain the 95-year-old monument dedicated to the Lost Dutchman.

When asked what advice he would have for other potential adopters, Rimola said, “Find a stretch of highway that has special meaning to you.” 

Thank you to Dons of Arizona President Dean Monday, Group Leader Sergio Rimola and all of the Dons and Donas who have contributed to 33 years of meaningful volunteer service. You can see photos from the group’s recent cleanup here.

Hundreds of miles of state managed roadway are ready for adoption. If you’d like to help keep Arizona grand, please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway.