In 1936 , Niels Kristian " Chris " Overgaard , who was the second son of a Danish family , moved to the United States with the intention of earning his living in the lumber mill business . Some time later , he moved to Arizona from North Dakota , " lured by the lush stands of Ponderosa " . Modular mill pieces were hauled by train to nearby Holbrook , and then transported by wagon to " Overgaard ’s stop " . The sawmill was assembled across SR 260 from the present day Overgaard grocery store . Mr. Overgaard ran the sawmill until financial reversals resulted in its sale . He then moved with his wife to Ohio , forever leaving the area . The sawmill was eventually replaced by a senior center that was later lost in the Rodeo – Chediski Fire in the summer of 2002 . The " Rim Country Senior/Community Center " has since been rebuilt . Originally called " Oklahoma Flats " , the town later changed its name in honor of Mr. Overgaard . 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
Rodeo – Chediski Fire
Rodeo–Chediski Fire
Heber-Overgaard, Arizona