Jose M. Subia was an ardent conservationist and distinguished citizen of Greenlee County whose grandfather was an early pioneer and rancher in the upper Gila Valley. He quietly cherished his family, cared for the people of the county and nation, especially the youth, served in Europe during World War II, and was actively involved in community affairs. He crossed the bridge daily from the family's ranch downstream, and after his death in April 1997, his exemplary, unselfish service was long remembered. The State completed the Old Safford Road Gila River Bridge in 1918 using prisoner labor, and this link connected the Gila Valley farming communities with the Morenci Mining District. In 1951, the road was transferred to Greenlee County. The patented, double Luten Arch Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1997 its crumbling guard rails were replaced with improved near-replicas using an Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act grant and county funds.