Grace Marion Sparkes: "Mother of Coronado National Memorial" by
Jim Connell, Volunteer If George Washington has the title of
"Father of Our Country," then the title of "Mother of Coronado
National Memorial" could very well be bestowed on Grace M.
Sparkes. Who was this kindly looking lady? Ms. Sparkes has been
described as the matriarch of early tourism in Arizona. Early
on, when she was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in
Prescott, Arizona, she worked tirelessly for civic projects and
promoted attractions of Arizona at every opportunity. Although a
person of very modest means, throughout her life, she was
nevertheless known as savvy and politically astute when
promoting Arizona. She was well regarded in political circles
and was on a first name basis with at least two U.S. Senators
(Carl Hayden and Barry Goldwater) as well as an Arizona Governor
and Presidential assistants. What prompted her interest in what
is now Coronado National Memorial? In 1938 she inherited several
mining properties from her father