Way Out Wickenburg Way

Discover the Old West history and heritage of one of Arizona’s oldest towns.

- Leo W. Banks

Prussian immigrant Henry Wickenburg’s founding of the Vulture Mine in 1863 brought this town to life. He discovered gold 15 miles southwest of today’s downtown, and word spread.

The mine became a bonanza, although Henry, not much of a businessman, saw little profit and died a pauper in 1905.

But his story lives on at the Vulture Mine’s modern reincarnation, complete with 12 restored structures including the stone-and-adobe assay house, tin-roofed homes and an assortment of mining gear and artifacts.

See the ironwood tree where, according to legend, high-graders, or gold thieves, met rope justice.

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum earns its reputation as one of the West’s best. March is an exciting month with the opening of Cowgirl Up!, the 15th annual exhibition and sale of more than 200 pieces by 60 of the best female artists in the Western genre.

Executive Director Dan Finley says the popular event is the only one of its kind in the country. “Our last show grossed more than $800,000, and for a town the size of Wickenburg, that’s a huge deal,” he says.