John Woodjack was a long time resident and caretaker at Harmony Hollow. We understand that he was an interesting guy, master woodworker and gardener, artist, and intellectual. We’ve been told that he lived mostly from what he grew in his garden area, and rode his bike for miles, often going into town to sell his garlic. I’m not sure if that’s what the kids were calling it back then, or if it was really garlic. 🙂
It has been said that he could sometimes be seen wearing just a loin cloth, and enjoyed sweat lodges in a self-made teepee next to his Airstream trailer.
As I started to write this article I reached out to the Harmony Hollow Preserved facebook group for stories, information, and photos. Here is some of what I collected:
This is such a beautiful picture of him [below], really captures the whole energy of Mr.Woodjack Esq., He was quite the artisan and intellectual, I had never met anybody like him. He dressed androgynously and was quite gorgeous.! like an indigenous person with beautiful coral, jewelry, and squares of turquoise and beautiful eyes, he was literally the embodiment of a fox .There was a sharpness to his being and I’m really glad I got to witness some of the times at Harmony Hollow, how precious in my memory. I do remember a heated argument between he and Bradley Cross,we were in the basement!! And I was 18!
It was my job to pack all of Jeff Cross’s belongings to go back to Michigan.
John Woodjack lived at Harmony Hollow in the early seventies, along with Jeff Cross and Richard Mocco. Here he is at the Mill Ave. Art Fair with Jeff’s donkey helping sell Harmony Hollow Bells in 1975.
John was the Arizona Native Tree Manager and caretaker of the HH property for over 45 years. He was the glue that held the place together for many, many years. He fixed the driveway, repaired the hot tin roof, painted the wooden structure every year with clear sealant, and built all the cabinets inside. He kept the tree farm immaculate and beautiful.
Woodjack was a legend in his time!! Countless memories the main one being that I never saw him in anything other than sandals. Even when he was walking the rafters and trusses on jobs… Original Teva all day every day!!!
I remember him on a bicycle. Protecting the desert fiercely.
John’s feet were connected to the earth.
We’d love to hear more stories about Woodjack!
