Voted the "Most Western" town in the west, the Arizona community of Wickenburg has atmosphere.A couple of years ago, True West magazine, put Wickenburg in the "Top 10 List of True Western Towns of 2008."
In the mid-1800s Henry Wickenburg came to the area in search of gold and discovered the Vulture Mine, where over $30 million in gold was found. There are still relics around the area that stand as a tribute to these early adventurers as well as a walking tour around Vulture Mine, according to the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce.
Wickenburg's western attractions have called tourists to come "Out Wickenburg Way" since the 1930s. To add a contemporary touch with an affectionate nod to its history, the town commissioned realistic life-size bronze sculptures that are threaded through the old section of town.
The sculptures are a series of six old western characters and 16 linking animal pieces by renowned artist J. Seward Johnson. The artist's work is in private and public collections around the world.
An added feature is that each large sculpture includes a button with a narrative on the history of the area.The public art includes "Jail Tree Felon" that depicts "the use of the large mesquite tree as a place to chain prisoners in early Wickenburg days until they could be transported to the nearest jail in Prescott. It is located at the Jail Tree Park on Tegner Street (Hwy-93) by Chaparral Ice Cream Parlor and Circle K."
"Vaquero with Guitar" provided "an evening serenade to downtown visitors in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He strums on Wickenburg Way (Hwy-60) in front of the Gold Nugget Lounge."
The 16 smaller bronzes "depict local desert creatures including gila monsters, roadrunners, tarantulas and rattlesnakes. They provide linkage between the six major pieces."If you go:
Cost: Free
Hours: 24/7
URL: www.WickenburgChamber.com
Phone: (800) 942-5242
Photos: From top: 'Jail Tree Felon,' 'Vaquero with Guitar,'and 'Gila Monster.' Julianne Crane
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