By Madison Cerro
CAVE CREEK – Harmony Hollow has evoked whispers of wonder, concern and curiosity in Cave Creek.
Much like a childhood story of a lost treasure chest, there is imagination and ideas of what the treasure beholds.
Judy Zimet and Hannah Warde have opened the chest to offer an inside look at the rich history and information of the treasured Harmony Hollow. Judy Zimet is the real estate agent for the Harmony Hollow property. Hannah Warde is assisting Zimet with the property. According to Zimet, Warde is particularly well versed in environmental properties.
NATURE AT HARMONY HOLLOW
Harmony Hollow is a 28-acre piece of land that is surrounded on three sides by the Spur Cross Conservation area. There is an abundance of naturally growing desert plants and greenery—as well as a seasonal watercourse that serves as a wildlife corridor.
Warde described the vegetation on the land as unique. “Because of the water that runs through Harmony Hollow, you’re going to see different plants—and you get an interesting element of biodiversity because there are so many different parts to Harmony Hollow,” Warde said.
THE CROSS FAMILY
For Judy Zimet, the history of Harmony Hollow would not be complete without knowing the story of the Cross family.
In 1969, the land was purchased by Jeffrey Cross—a metal artist and bell maker, said Zimet.
Cross started a company known as “Harmony Hollow Bell Works,” while living on the land. In the mid-1970s’, the bell company moved to Michigan where it became recognized internationally, Zimet said.
In 1977, Jeffrey Cross passed away. Since then, the Cross family—including his siblings: Bradley, Harry and Joan—have funded the Jeff Cross Memorial Art Award.
This award, according to Zimet, is a scholarship given to a high school seniors in Cave Creek who exhibits high dedication to the arts and a desire to attend art school. This is the 41st year the Cross family has awarded the scholarship to a local student.
“For over 30 years since their brother’s passing, the Cross family allowed many artists to live at Harmony Hollow where they could create their art,” according to Zimet.
Zimet described the Cross family as supportive of those who share their respect for the land. “Now, after the Harmony Hollow resident artists moved on, and as the Cross siblings prepare for their retirement, they must sell the ranch.” Zimet said.
PRIOR TO OWNERSHIP
The history of Harmony Hollow began long before Jeffrey Cross purchased the ranch. Evidence shows that the first human visitors on the ranch date back to A.D. 500, according to Zimet.
After A.D. 675, Zimet said the Hohokam tribe arrived to Harmony Hollow—followed by the crossing of Yavapai and Apache tribes until the 1870s’.
Although the land is known for its history of being home to Native American tribes for many years, Zimet confirmed that there haven’t been any ruins, pit houses or pueblos found on the property.
MORE THAN LAND
“Harmony Hollow is not just raw land,” said Zimet. Artists built the three-story house that sits on the property. Across the way, there is a strong producing well that once fed a tree farm.
In the early 1970s’, several artists and metal workers lived in the home with Jeffrey Cross. Because nothing has been done with the property since then, entering the house is like taking a step back in time, Zimet said.
On the inside of the home, the wood is branded with “J+”—a Jeffrey Cross signature. There are also colorful stained glass windows of differing designs.
Just outside the home is the area in which Cross would create his metal pieces.
According to Warde, “This is a place where artists were living and breathing their craft.”
