Page City celebrated its 50th year of establishment on March 1, 2025 by opening a time capsule buried in 1977. Time capsules are containers that were buried in the ground at one time in history and even excavated decades later. Most people never witnessed the opening of the time capsule, and many people were able to see the public. The audience included current and former residents and visitors to the area, many of whom had discovered the event.
From left to right, Phil Clark’s photo:
The bronze plaque at the top of the concrete monument signified the day the time capsule was opened.
Uncle Sam joins the parade.
One of the oldest companies on the page, Page Steel carries large steel pipes.
Red Heritage Dance Group will perform at Lake Powell Boulevard.
One of the three old tractors reminded us of the parade watcher that it had gone by.
Park rangers will hand out stickers as “T-Rex” assists.
Time capsules and their contents.
Amanda Boston is opening a photo album.
About 50 years ago, a steel box, the size of a large briefcase, was buried in front of Page Town Hall, beneath a concrete monument with plaque. The bronze plaque at the monument reads “The City of Page Time Capsules, which opened on March 1, 1975 and March 1, 2025.” People who have been doing business at City Hall for the past 50 years have seen plaques and many have wondered what is in their time capsules since then. Some residents have guessed whether there are eight-track tapes, “pet locks,” or other popular items.
Page was originally founded in 1957 and was called a “government camp” as the place where workers and their families lived during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge. According to the city on the page, the city occupying Manson Mesa and nearby land. Approximately 17 square miles were exchanged for the New Mexico land and Navajo tribe. The dam and bridge were completed by 1963 when Lake Powell began to fill behind the dam. In 1975, around 4,000 people lived in Page. According to a review of the World Population, the population on page 2024 is 7,287.
March 1, 2025 began just like the perfect day, as expected in early March. The calm and sunny morning was perfect for a massive vote at the 50th anniversary parade and the opening of the time capsule. Many current residents of Page have been joined by former residents. Visitors also came to see what would happen. One man had worn a high school letter jacket since 1976, indicating that it was still fit. Others brought yearbooks and other memorabilia in the late 1960s and 1970s. Page received a surge in growth as a Navajo station was built in 1975 and Lake Powell began to become popular. Fifty years ago, the lake was 3,645.41 feet tall and was rising.
Before the time capsules were opened, Lake Powell Blvd had a parade celebrating the city of Page for 50 years, with a wide variety of floats and vehicles, including local businesses, residents and more. One of the floats was filled with a family descending from Mayor of Lawrence O’Neill on March 1, 1975.
The parade began at Page Memorial Park and continued to parts at North and South Navajo and Lake Powell Boulevard. Members of the Warner Family took to two eras in the 1920s to display a banner with the words “Warner Family founded in 1958.” Page Steel drove a very long semi truck and trailer, with very long, large Aqua-colored steel pipes, “It’s time we were here!” Native dancers from Red Heritage danced along the parade route, and golf carts zagged the main streets. When the parade was over, many spectators walked a short distance to Page City Hall to find seats and prepared to witness the opening of the time capsule. The outdoor amphitheater was filled with spectators. The audience remembered bringing a folding chair.
Current Mayor Stephen Kidman welcomed the audience and led the crowd with a pledge of loyalty. District 4 Chairman Judy Begay read the county declaration for the event. Lawrence O’Neill Jr., the son of the mayor in 1975, spoke about how he grows on the page. Eli Secody introduced herself in the traditional Navajo method, both in Navajo and in English. Sekodi prayed ritual prayers and blessed the event with pollen on the horn. Deputy Mayor Mike Farrow has announced the city of Page Declaration.
The time capsule was on display in front of the audience. It was very rusty, but unharmed. Amanda Boston, education manager at the Powell Museum and Archives, opened the box. A lid covered the top of the box and there was a rubber seal. Boston wore white cotton archive gloves to prevent damage to the box, gently remove the lid, carefully remove the contents from the box, and lifted each piece for the audience to see. One of the typewritten papers, one of the first papers in the box, reads as follows: “This time capsule was prepared and sealed by Page Fire Chief John S. Olson on February 25, 1977. The container was vacuumed for 3 hours – 20 psig and filled with nitrogen gas to a pressure of 5 seconds. God bless you all!” The contents are listed in the framed documents and boxes on the table.
Bicentennial patch
Establishment ceremony tape
Bicentennial 25 cent coin
5 seed samples
Red white and blue ribbons from cutting ribbons of urban buildings on March 1, 1976
1 pack vostrum photos and electronic modules
A pack of local newspapers on bicentennials and establishment
The City of Facts and Numbers on the Page
Bicentennial 50 cent pieces
Bicentennial Dollar Coin
Public Law 485-84 (Act for Approving the Colorado River Storage Project, 1956)
Public Law 868-85 (Munson Mesa Land Exchange, 1958)
October 20, 1973, the establishment hearing of ser.93-34
Photos from March 22, 1975
Photos from March 1, 1976
Page Police Station Patch
Page Fire Station patch
calendar
(Page) First Birthday Program
Arizona Bicentennial Committee Letters, Information, Postcards
Minutes and resolutions for the Coconino Supervisory Committee dated December 31, 1974
The items were removed and placed on the table, so despite the steel box and lid having rubber seals and pressurized with nitrogen gas, the box lost watertightness, and city officials in 1977 did not survive. When Boston removes most of the items, the audience is invited to see the content, lined up in line with gazes at artifacts from the last century.
After the curator evaluates and stabilizes the item, the time capsule and its contents will be displayed for the remainder of 2025 in the Page Public Library. The final resting place for Artifacts is located in the Powell Museum and the archives. The City of Page will celebrate its golden anniversary in 2025 with many activities. For more information about the upcoming celebration, please go to visitpageaz.com/ City – 50th Anniversary Alley – Celebration. This and other events are listed in events.cityofpage.org Alternatively, call Page City at (928) 645-8861.
