Wickenburg, AZ

We left Kearny this morning, thinking of staying in Apache Junction. But once we got their it was like staying in Phoenix. We kept on going till we felt right about the stop. We make it to Wickenburg, AZ. for the night or maybe two. Tiger and I have been through this town alot of times, just never stopped to see what it is all about.  Thinking a town like this should have a Wal-Mart, we can stay in their parking lot and buy fresh food as well. Nope!!! No such luck. But they did have a Bashes food store and we parked their for a while. Made our way to old town, (across the street) and found the Legion and it was open so we stopped in an had a $2 beer. (It’s hot out). Since we were there we decided not to be unfriendly so we had another beer.

 

After breakfast of two beers we decided to walk around some and see the rest of the town. As we walked out and went around the corner, Low and behold there is the ELK’s Lodge #2160. Well now it must be lunch time,  (some where) so we went in a ordered a $2.25 beer. Now you can’t find out a bout a town less you stay and ask people. (So we did). I think about 3 more beers worth and it was time to go eat.

We had Mexican food at a Nana’s cafe. 

Now its time to go see the rest of the town. So we did. We found the library,police sta., and the park. Also a famous tree. That’s right this tree was an important part of Wickenburg, from the days of yore and still is for the tourist. I’ll let the picture speak for it’s self.      

Just cause you can’t read the sign I’ll quote it for you,“The Jail Tree from 1863 to 1890, Outlaws were chained to this tree for lack of a Hoosegow. Escapes were unknown.” They stayed their tell their sentence was up and it could be for a day for drunk or for months’ (This guy is doing life).

For centuries, the western Yavapai (or Tolkapaya as they called themselves), made the banks of this oasis their home, irrigating their crops of corn, beans, squash, and tobacco with river water. They named this place Haseyamo, "following the water as far as it goes," from which the word Hassayampa derived.

Hispanic culture and trade reached the Yavapai who were nicknamed the Cruzados because they wore their unusually long bangs in what the Spanish thought was the shape of a cross.

In the early 1820's, hunters and trappers explored the Hassayampa River in search of beavers, whose pelts were sold to hat makers back east and in Europe. Their reports helped pique American interest in the West. The Wickenburg area and much of the West became part of the United States following the Mexican American War in 1848.

An 1862 gold strike on the Colorado River near the present-day Yuma inspired prospectors and miners, predominantly from California and Mexico, to search for minerals throughout central Arizona. The names of these miners now grace many of the surrounding geographic landmarks, including the Weaver Mountains and Peeples Valley.

Among the gold searches was the adventurer, Henry Wickenburg. He came from far-off lands, lured by the dream of abundant gold. His quest was rewarded by the discovery of the Vulture Mine, where over $30 million in gold has been dug from the ground.

The old train station across the street from the Elk’s Lodge. We like this little town, you can walk to almost everything. But we have to go for now.

Till later from Tiger and Stu.