Grand Canyon Historical Society

2003 Pioneer Awardee...

George H. Billingsley
Geologist

The Grand Canyon Pioneers Society Pioneer Award for 2003 was presented to George H. Billingsley for:
  • serving the public as a Park Service ranger at Havasu and as Colorado River boatman;
  • his pioneering research of the mining history of Northern Arizona;
  • his assistance in developing new, modern geologic maps of the Grand Canyon, and almost single-handedly mapping of most of the Arizona Strip, primarily without the benefit of modern technology;
  • discovering a new geological formation in the Grand Canyon, the Surprise Canyon Formation;
  • providing insight into geological history and processes across the Colorado Plateau and as far afield as Mars, and;
  • diligently recording his field experiences in the Grand Canyon and on the Colorado Plateau, and graciously sharing typewritten diaries and photographs with all who asked.
       George is famous for mapping the entire lower Grand Canyon, much of it by foot. A lasting contribution to the science of geology is George's discovery of a new layer in the Canyon, The Surprise formation. This is located on top of the Redwall. It is late Mississippian. George credits his success in geology to his mentor and former NAU professor, Dr. Stan Beus. Stan accompanied George on many of the geological forays into the Canyon, even dangling from ropes to gain access to specific areas. George also credits the influence of Edwin D. McKee, park naturalist from 1929-1940. George's master's degree thesis is on Tuckup Canyon. His mapping of the Arizona Strip was done mostly without modern technology, although George says there is still work to be done on this.
       George confesses that he just loves the Canyon. The thrill of discovery is what keeps him going all these years. He hopes to inspire young people to keep looking—there are still amazing discoveries to be made. George encourages the use of helicopters for research purposes, as the Canyon is just too vast to explore fully by foot.
       George was fortunate enough to hike with Harvey Butchart in 1963. He noted that Harvey made a point of writing down the details of each trip after returning. George picked up on that clue and has been keeping hiking journals ever since. We can only imagine these treasures! George was a river runner 30 years ago, completing 70 trips on the Colorado River. He has been working for the USGS for 23 years in the Flagstaff office. His current project is mapping an area from Seligman to Winona to Tuba City to Grand Canyon.
       George wanted to be sure to mention the biggest influence in his life—his wife, Susan. The only reason she wasn't here to watch George receive his well-deserved award was because she had to take their granddaughter to pony camp. Susan is an avid hiker and river runner herself. George is also proud of his two children, Marija who is currently running the river with Canyon Explorations and Ryn who works in the Flagstaff Walgreens.
       George's book "Quest for the Pillar of Gold: The mines and Miners of the Grand Canyon" was co-authored with Dove Menkes and Earle Spamer.
       George is currently working on a story of how the Canyon was formed, and what does it mean. But getting 70 geologist to agree on anything is not going to be an easy task!
       Our hats are off to this worthy recipient of the Society's Pioneer Award.

[Article by Nancy Green; photo by Diane Cassidy]