We drove through the town’s historic area and parked in the parking lot of a small shopping mall. Time to get out and wander around and take a look at all the shops....
This is the Maricopa County Municipal Center...
The 'Jail Tree'...a 200 year old mesquite tree that once served as the town jail. From 1863 to 1890 outlaws were chained to this tree--escapees were unknown...
The entrance into a patio bar and grill (on the left) and a bunch of shops...
Wow...is that kale?...
Very cool little shopping area...
Lots of restaurants and shops...
Now this is a very interesting shop inside an old house...quite a collection of antiques...
More street views...
This is the Desert Caballeros Western Museum...it is known as one of the finest museums in Arizona. We went in and spoke to the receptionist but the tour would take at least an hour and a half and we didn`t feel like expending that kind of time today...maybe another time...
Inside more shops...
Miner Leading Donkey...depicts the importance of early mining in the area...
The Santa Fe Depot--this station was acquired by the Town of Wickenburg from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1984. It was restored and dedicated as the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce in 1987. The Chamber maintains the Deport as Wickenburg`s Official Visitor`s Center...
Railroad Engine No. 761 and Drover Caboose...the railroad line behind the Chamber of Commerce is called the ``Peavine Line``, and built in 1893 from Phoenix to Prescott....
Hassayampa Building (1905)...The Vernetta Hotel was originally a hotel specifically built to serve overnight railroad passengers and early day tourists to the Wickenburg area. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, a black businesswoman from the East, contracted one of Arizona`s Finest architects at that time, Mr. James Creighton, to design and build the hotel. The building was heated by nine fireplaces, has a community kitchen and an outdoor barbecue area. Now known as the Hassayampa Building, it contains offices for Remuda Ranch.
Garcia School (1905)--This red brick schoolhouse replaced the wooden school on this land donated by Don Ygnacio Garcia. It was restored and opened as a bank in 1984. The Wickenburg Children`s Cultural Organization inherited the building in 2003...
After wandering around for a couple of hours, we were back at the truck...time to go to Safeway for some groceries before heading home.
We got home at about 3:00 and while I put the groceries away, Steve off-loaded the ATV’s from the truck and fixed the mount for his flag. He wanted to reverse the way he had attached it to the rack...he had done mine a little differently and changed his to be the same...because his had bent slightly.
We went for a ride through the campground and across the road to the rodeo grounds...just checking the area out a bit more...plus we wanted to find water. We eventually found a tap at a horse trough...hopefully its potable water! As predicted, the wind was really getting strong so when we got back, we tried sitting out in our chairs but I found it very uncomfortable and headed inside. Steve decided that since there was a chance of showers tomorrow that he would dust off the truck and trailer.
Just as he was finishing a fellow came by and invited us down to their place for a glass of wine...we had talked to his wife yesterday when she was out walking the dogs...they are from Sechelt, BC. So a few minutes later, we drove the quads down to site #20 and spent about an hour or so visiting Doug and Julia.
We were back home at about 6:30. The wind had moved our satellite dish out of position so Steve had to reposition it in the howling wind. After dinner, we spent our evening watching TV...as the wind rocked the trailer. Tomorrow the forecast high is only 56F/13C...a big change from the high 20’s C low 80’s F we have been enjoying lately. Weather permitting tomorrow we hope to get a quad ride in before our new quading friends arrive from Quartzite.
No comments:
Post a Comment