Thayer Collier
Cashion - Maricopa County
Inducted in 2016
Thayer Collier saw Arizona grow from a territory to a state, watched Roosevelt Dam being dedicated, and developed his farm in Cashion. He served his community by allowing hungry families to help themselves to vegetables in the fields, serving on the Salt River Project board for 54 years, and helping to establish the Littleton School.
Thayer Collier was born in Gonzales, Texas, in 1891, the middle son of a family of three boys.
At the tender age of nine, in 1900, Thayer's family relocated to the Valley due to his father's ailing health. Tragically, his father passed away five years later, compelling Thayer and his older brother to leave school and work to support their family. Despite these early hardships, Thayer's resilience and determination shone through, inspiring all who knew him. One of his responsibilities was transporting sugar beets to the factory in Glendale, a journey that often required him to camp out overnight.
In 1911, when Roosevelt Dam was dedicated, Thayer and his buddy Charlie Luke, brother of Frank Luke, for whom Luke AFB is named, rode horseback to see and hear Theodore Roosevelt. This journey was not just a physical feat, but a testament to Thayer's determination and his eagerness to witness history in the making. It was a long trip, necessitating them to camp out along the way. The young men were prepared. In anticipation of the long ride, they had wrapped up a ham to take with them to eat.
Thayer married Pearl Jackson, the daughter of a ranching family from Kirkland Valley, in 1915. In 1918, they bought a section of land east of the Agua Fria River, bordered by Buckeye Road on the south and Van Buren Street on the north. He could only cultivate 100 acres because the rest were deserts with many washes and trees, such as cottonwood and mesquite. The land had a special water allotment from the Salt River Project (SRP) from farms to help in the war efforts during World War I, which supplied their water.
The property came with a small house. Water was pumped outside and carried in, and a wood stove was used for cooking and heating. It is said that Pearl cried when she saw her new home. At night, only one light could be seen, and that came from Billy Moore's Coldwater Stage Stop across the river, where Avondale is now located.
Over the next few years, Thayer used a team of mules and horses to pull the equipment needed to clear more of the land. He started with a herd of 200 beef cattle and grew the corn and grain for feed on the property. His brand was the Lazy T Bar, symbolizing his hard work and dedication to his farm. The Lazy T Bar became a well-known mark in the Valley, representing the quality of Thayer's products.
When the threshing time came, the crew would come in to help. Pearl would go into the field and set up a cooking camp to make hot meals for the men. Eventually, Thayer could convert the rest of the 460 acres to usable land. The house was remodeled several times over the years.
They had a herd of dairy cattle, so in 1930, a dairy barn was constructed to milk 24 cows at a time. The milk was sold to Webster's Dairy IN Glendale. The dairy operated until the mid-1970s.
After his service in World War II, Thayer's son-in-law joined him and helped him manage the farm. They leveled more land, drilled another well, and put in cement ditches. This well is still being used today to water the golf course at Coldwater Springs. Four houses were built for farm employees. For the next 40 years, the farm was a busy place, employing around 15 workers.
Thayer's compassion and sense of community were evident during the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships, he opened his fields to hungry families, allowing them to take what they needed. This act of generosity, along with his diverse farming endeavors, reflects his deep-rooted commitment to his community and his warm, giving spirit.
Thayer served on the SRP board for many years. A substation on 107th Avenue is named for him. He helped establish the Littleton School and was on its board for 54 years. In 1995, the school opened the Thayer Collier Resource Center. In 2002, Collier Elementary was a bullet on the farm property. Thayer's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all attended Littleton School.
Thayer and Pearl were also involved with the Maricopa Farm Bureau for many years. When he retired in 1960, they spent much of their time traveling the world.
Thayer's legacy continued long after his passing in 1979. The farm he nurtured and the values he instilled in his community lived on. The farm continued to operate until the late 1990s, a testament to Thayer's enduring impact on the Valley. His memory and contributions, revered by all who knew him, continue to shape the Valley's history and community spirit.
Thayer and Pearl had one daughter but raised several other children. When Pearl's sister and brother-in-law died at young ages, the Colliers took their children in and raided them as their own. They were humble and generous people and true farming pioneers in the Valley.
Affiliations
Salt River Project — Board Member
Littleton School — Board, 54 years
Maricopa County Farm Bureau — Member
Awards
SRP substation on 107th Avenue
Thayer Collier Resource Media Center named, 1995
Thayer Collier Elementary School, named, 2002
