Corral-ing the Past
Harold’s Celebrates Nine Decades of Legends and Lore
Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer // Photography Courtesy of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral
At the height of the Great Depression in 1935, Johnny Walker began construction on the original A-frame structure of the Cave Creek Corral. Little did he know that his modest bar would expand over nine decades into a 12,000-square-foot restaurant and iconic country-western institution, attracting thousands to what former Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia called “the center of the universe” for the desert community.
Times were harsh then. Many of the bar’s early patrons lived in temporary construction camps, enduring long days in the unforgiving desert while building the Bartlett and Horseshoe dams on the Verde River. After grueling shifts, they’d seek refuge at The Cave Creek Corral, nursing A-1 beers or hard liquor at the 1880s mahogany bar Walker had purchased from Tombstone’s legendary Crystal Palace Saloon. On milder evenings, they’d gather at picnic tables shaded by ancient mesquite trees.
The dam construction brought an economic boom to Cave Creek for nearly eight years. Six more bars opened in the rural area, but by 1947, when the dams were complete and the workers departed, only the Corral survived.
Around 1950, Harold and Ruth Gavagan purchased the building and named it Harold’s Cave Creek Corral. Though Harold passed away years ago, his legacy endures through wild tales, local lore and countless photographs adorning the walls — visual proof that some of those “crazy stories” are absolutely true.
The Piacquadio Era and a Pittsburgh Invasion
In 1987, Daniel Piacquadio Sr. purchased the restaurant after relocating from Pittsburgh. He orchestrated a comprehensive remodel to bring everything up to code, adding the kitchen and expanded dining area. Many of his original recipes remain on the menu today, and he established the foundation for success when his son Danny joined the operation in 1991.
Danny vividly remembers his father’s grand-opening party in 1988, which coincided with the Cave Creek Rodeo weekend.
“I’d moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University,” Danny recalls. “I remember people on horseback riding right up to the bar. Cave Creek had just incorporated in 1986, so it still retained much of its authentic Old West character.”
When Daniel Sr. returned to Pittsburgh, Danny assumed management duties. As a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he began hosting viewing parties in 1993 with about 75 fans per game. Two years later, he formally launched Harold’s Steelers Fan Club with 80 charter members. Today, the club boasts more than 3,000 members.
Now fondly known as “Heinz Field West,” Harold’s transforms into a sea of black and gold on NFL Sundays. The restaurant serves traditional Pittsburgh delicacies while a DJ spins more than 40 Steelers anthems. The special menu features Primanti Brothers sandwiches, “Ben Roethlis(burger)s,” Iron City beer, pierogies and other Yinzer favorites. Harold’s walls showcase photographs from two massive celebrations when tiny Cave Creek hosted more than 4,000 Steelers faithful during the team’s 2006 and 2009 Super Bowl runs.
Community Champions
By 2003, Carefree residents Bill and Marie Vale joined as co-owners, working alongside Danny to elevate Harold’s profile throughout Phoenix’s burgeoning North Valley.
Affectionately dubbed Harold’s “mayor,” Bill loved to give newcomers tours of the restaurant while sharing colorful anecdotes. He’d point to photographs of actor Dick Van Dyke, a local resident who occasionally stopped by to play drums with the house band. Bill’s tours invariably produced belly laughs and wide-eyed amazement, particularly when guests spotted images of lions and tigers Harold once kept behind the restaurant as a marketing ploy to lure Phoenix residents north.
Harold’s became renowned as a gathering place. The diverse clientele spans generations, with some families counting three generations of regular patrons.
“Harold’s has always maintained this warm, welcoming atmosphere,” Danny explains. “People often joke that you’ll find a horse, a Harley and a Hummer all parked side by side here. Our eclectic mix includes cowboys, country and rock music fans, hippies and artists alongside CEOs, stockbrokers, teachers and everyone in between.”
Many patrons have discovered romance within Harold’s walls, including Danny himself. He met his wife, Meri, when she visited from Pittsburgh with friends. Though Danny was working in the kitchen, a co-worker convinced him to abandon his cooking duties to meet the group. They married in October 2004.
Giving Back to the Desert Community
Throughout its 37-year tenure under the Piacquadio family, Harold’s has expanded dramatically. When Daniel Sr. purchased the establishment in 1987, it employed 25 people. During peak season, Harold’s now employs more than 100 team members.
“One reason Harold’s has thrived is our dedicated, hardworking staff,” Danny emphasizes. “Many are longtime employees who’ve been with us for decades. They share our commitment to preserving Harold’s legacy — we couldn’t have reached 90 years without them.”
Margaret Carver exemplifies this loyalty, having been part of Harold’s team for more than 35 years. Her daughter, who once caught the school bus at Harold’s as a child, has now followed in her mother’s footsteps and worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years.
Harold’s has become the venue of choice for numerous nonprofits and civic organizations hosting monthly meetings or fundraising events. The restaurant regularly supports community causes through in-kind donations and special fundraisers benefiting the Foothills Food Bank, Kiwanis Club of Carefree, Desert Foothills Library, Foothills Caring Corp., the Holland Center and other organizations supporting families, children, veterans and animals.
The COVID-19 pandemic particularly tested local resilience, and despite operational challenges, Harold’s stepped up dramatically. Like restaurants nationwide, Harold’s initially closed its dining room, offering only curbside and takeout service. But the establishment went further, partnering with the Kiwanis Club of Carefree to fund an innovative community support program.
With a goal of feeding more than 2,300 people, Harold’s designed a unique commitment: For every family-style meal ordered (feeding four to five people), the restaurant donated an identical meal to families in need through the Cave Creek Unified School District’s assistance program. Additionally, Harold’s provided individual meals to the Foothills Food Bank.
Both Harold’s and the Kiwanis Club provided initial funding for the program, which ultimately served more than 5,000 meals. Harold’s prepared all meals while CCUSD and the Foothills Food Bank handled pickup and distribution.
“When coronavirus arrived in Arizona, restaurants had no playbook,” Danny recalls. “Thankfully, we were positioned to help our community during an incredibly difficult time.”
New Ownership, Expanded Vision
In March 2025, Harold’s welcomed new co-owners Jim “Z” Ziebart and Kris Ziebart of Carefree. Bill and Marie Vale passed the torch to the Wisconsin natives, who joined co-owners Danny Piacquadio and Meri Piacquadio in continuing Harold’s success while honoring its nine-decade legacy.
The Ziebarts share the same family values and community commitment as the Piacquadios. They spend summers in Wisconsin, and the fact that Harold’s transforms into “Heinz Field West” on NFL Sundays doesn’t faze them.
“I may have my own barstool with a hidden Packers sticker underneath,” Jim jokes. “And Kris insists she looks better in black and gold, so we’ve acquired some Steelers gear.”
Jim’s passion for live music particularly excited him about joining Harold’s. Over the years, the venue has expanded its outdoor facilities to accommodate large-scale productions featuring national acts including Craig Morgan, Rodney Atkins and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers.
Jim and Danny recently partnered with Moonlit Nites, a production company specializing in boutique Western festivals and country concerts. Through this collaboration, Harold’s will launch its 90th anniversary celebration with two major outdoor productions: Rodney Atkins on Oct. 3 and Brian Kelley on Oct. 4. Sponsored by Sanderson Ford, both concerts begin at 7 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $37 for general admission to $99 and up for VIP packages.
Harold’s is also constructing a large pavilion to host weddings, concerts, and special events.
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
The world surrounding Cave Creek’s original Wild West saloon and restaurant has transformed dramatically since Johnny Walker envisioned a bar in the middle of a rustic desert town. Yet Harold’s core mission remains unchanged: delivering exceptional food and drinks, live music, dancing, friendship and unwavering community support.
As Harold’s Cave Creek Corral celebrates its remarkable 90-year journey, this iconic country-western institution looks toward the future with the same pioneering spirit Walker embodied when he began construction on what has become one of Arizona’s most beloved destinations for locals and visitors alike.
The swinging doors that have welcomed nine decades of patrons continue to open wide, inviting new generations to become part of Harold’s ever-expanding family of legends and lore.
