Happy Jack Arizona
A permanent logging camp was established in 1947 by Southwest Forest Industries, according to an Arizona Republic columnist named James E. Cook who once lived in the area. This new camp was named “Happy Jack.” This logging camp was located approximately 40 miles south of Flagstaff on the east side of County Highway 3. It was a small community packed with house trailers and other dwellings which served the loggers and their families. The name “Happy Jack” was never determined if it came from “lumberjacks” or from a happy-go-lucky fellow who was one of the employees that time.
During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, the Long Valley forest service station was moved to Happy Jack. Therefore the forest service station and the logging camp were at the same site, but with a Happy Jack mailing address. It didn’t take long and the Long Valley Ranger Station later became known as Happy Jack Ranger Station.
The Mongini family of Cottonwood, Arizona bought the property in 1994 which is now known as “Happy Jack Too.” It was then remodeled into a beautiful RV park with cabins for rent, a restaurant and a steakhouse, a Laundromat, a small county store and other amenities for visitors.
