Heber–Overgaard is a census-designated place (CDP) in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Situated atop the Mogollon Rim, the community lies at an elevation of . The population was 2,898 Overgaard, adjoining Heber, was settled ca. 1936 and was named after the owner of the first sawmill, Kristen Kristensen (Chris) Overgaard.
Heber–Overgaard's early economy was founded on dry farming and ranching while tourism, retirement and timbering are the basis for present-day industry.
History
Founding
thumb|left|Black Canyon
In March 1873, Mormon pioneers from Utah were sent to the Little Colorado River area under the direction of Horton D. Height. In 1876, a large group of these settlers established four settlements on the Little Colorado River, which they named Brigham City, Sunset, Obed, and Allen's Camp (Joseph City). In Allen's Camp, a dam had been built on the Little Colorado River in April, but high waters in July washed it out. By August, many settlers had returned to Utah. Eight married couples and six single men were all that remained in Allen's Camp. By 1882, the Obed settlement had collapsed and both Brigham City and Sunset were near collapse due to several years of drought. John Bushman, of Allen's Camp, was sent by Lot Smith, then president of the Little Colorado Stake, to scout the forests to the south in anticipation of relocation. Dry farming in the forested mountains was thought to be easier due to higher rainfall, lush grasses, and plentiful timber.
On December 6, 1882, Bushman set out for the forest with five brethren: W.C. Allen, J.H. Richards, J.C. Hansen, H. Tanner, and J.E. Shelley. Upon arrival they began digging wells in search of water. They were later joined by Hans Nielson, Lehi Heward, and John Scarlet. By April 13, 1883, two cabins had been built and grain planted, but only four families remained (Heward, Scarlet, Nielson, and Shelley). Bushman never settled in the area, but he and his family contributed time and encouragement to the local settlers. The first summer, houses were built, land cleared, and corrals constructed. Crops were planted not only for food, but also to barter for goods that could not be made at home. The growing season was four months long. On one such trip, he passed through the settlement on his way to Phoenix, and stayed with the Shelleys in their cabin. The townspeople latter named their settlement after Grant.
The post office in Heber was established in 1890, and on September 11, 1890, James Shelley was appointed the first postmaster of Heber. The sawmill was assembled across SR 260 from the present-day Overgaard Food Center. Overgaard ran the sawmill until financial reversals resulted in its sale.
The post office in Overgaard was established on October 14, 1938. William T. Shockley served as the first postmaster in 1938, followed by Christ Overgaard in 1939.
thumb|right|Early logging between Heber and Overgaard
On February 1, 1971, the local sheriff's posse formed a committee to promote the construction of a Fire Department for the Heber–Overgaard area. By March, land was secured for the location of the new fire department. In February 1972, the posse disbanded because some members had moved out of the area. In early 1973, the newly formed American Legion Post 86 took over the task of forming a fire department and fire district for the area. They obtained the signatures necessary to call an election to form a fire district. A petition was used to propose the formation of a fire district to the County Board of Supervisors. The American Legion put up the funds for an election. On June 4, 1973, by unanimous vote, the Heber–Overgaard Fire District was established. It had an area of 102 square miles. On June 14, Ivan Wilson was elected as the first fire chief of the new district, and Larry Rhodes was the secretary-treasurer. Walt Downs and John Shaffery Sr. were the first to sign up as firefighters.
The first Fourth of July parade was held in 1976. In recent years, the parade and fireworks displays have been moved to the weekend nearest the 4th of July as a convenience to non-locals.
In 1988, Heber–Overgaard celebrated its first Oktoberfest event at Tall Timbers County Park. Originally taking place in October, the festivities were eventually moved to September as a convenience to seasonal visitors. The event primarily consists of food, live music, a beer garden and arts and crafts booths. The controversial shutdown affected eight large mills, several small mills, and hundreds of jobs. Many Heber–Overgaard residents were forced to relocate and find work elsewhere. Black ribbons were placed throughout town to raise awareness of the situation, and to show support for the loggers and their families. Environmentalists argued that "jobs would vanish no matter what, for if cutting continued at its current rate, the old-growth forests would be gone within thirty years and the mills forced to close anyhow". The forests remained closed for over eight years. In 2002, the Parker Mill, in Clay Springs (16 miles away), and the Snowflake Mill (35 miles east) were two of the first mills to start up again. , nearly 66% of the houses were second homes. While the full-time resident population was then 2,822, summertime population numbers climbed to nearly 12,000.
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Flora and fauna
thumb|left|Bull elk
thumb|right|Pinyon-juniper woodland west of Overgaard
While some of the native flora and fauna of the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest can be found within town limits, most are found in the rural and the undeveloped forest areas surrounding Heber–Overgaard.
Native mammal species include antelope, Arizona gray squirrel, beaver, black bear, coyote, deer mouse, desert cottontail rabbit, elk, gopher, ground squirrel, gray fox, harvest mouse, hog-nosed skunk, jackrabbit, javelina, kit fox, Mexican wolf, mountain cottontail, mountain lion, mule deer, porcupine, raccoon, red squirrel, rock squirrel, striped skunk, white-footed mouse, white-tailed deer, and various bats.
There are many species of native birds, including the acorn woodpecker, crow, bald eagle, broad-tailed hummingbird, cooper's hawk, flammulated owl, gambel's quail, golden eagle, greater roadrunner, great horned owl, hairy woodpecker, hooded oriole, pinon jay, red-tailed hawk, kestrel, northern cardinal, robin, steller's jay, raven, turkey vulture, wild turkey, and western bluebird, as well as a variety of songbirds.