Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona
A virtual time travel back to the western world when cowboys rule the land is what awaits most visitors on their initial trip to the town of Wickenburg. Once called the world's ranch capital, this western-style community has numerous guest ranches that people from all across the globe will surely want to see.
But ranches are not the only thing that can be found at Wickenburg. The town has been blessed with abundant beauty. From its strategic position north of the Sonoran Desert and the Hassayampa River that practically surrounds the community, one can see that Wickenburg is a natural wonder, with lots of open spaces still untouched by modern advancement. Even now, people from all walks of life travel to this town, some 54 miles far from fast-paced Phoenix, to enjoy its simple lifestyle and quiet surroundings.
Wickenburg is one town in the state of Arizona rich in history. Its many districts are adorned with street names and business establishments put up in honor of the town's important people or some significant historical event. Just take a look at the Vulture Mine site where the founder of the town Henry Wickenburg struck gold and started building the erstwhile undeveloped Hassayampa River-based community into what it is now-- a bustling town teeming with restaurants, shopping centers, museums, parks, amusement centers, among others.
But lest we forget, Wickenburg is a western-based world As such, it has innumerable ranches in the inner parts of the town, aside from having lots of antique stores and art galleries which showcase the town's rich western heritage. There are even period rooms where visitors are given a glimpse of early 1900's life, including an actual exhibit of life in a western ranch.
Western hospitality can also be had in Wickenburg's many dining establishments. Have a taste of various delicacies from German, Chinese, and Italian cuisine served the unique western fashion. Of course, there are also modern fastfood eateries operating in Wickenburg, keeping the town likewise in step with modern advances.
Aside from the restaurants, the town also boasts of brisk local businesses catering to a wide variety of needs like clothes, jewelries, handicrafts, etc. There are even stores where customers are allowed to create their own unique style.
With Wickenburg's many special offerings, one can easily get lost. Not to worry, as there is the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce where kind and helpful personnel are always ready to assist visitors on any questions that they may have, including directions to the town's many distinct places of attraction.
Wickenburg History
Wickenburg considered the western Yavapai people as its first inhabitants. The tribe known among themselves as the Tolkapaya people lived in the banks of the Hassayampa River for several centuries, making a living out of planting various crops such as beans, squash, corn, and tobacco with the river's waters as irrigation tool. Out of this system the tribe named the river Haseyamo from which the present name Hassayampa was coined. Haseyamo literally means “following the water as far as it goes”.
The town lies within the territorial boundaries of both Spain and Mexico. Yet, neither of the two states officially claimed ownership of Wickenburg. The two countries' cultures however did seep in among the Yavapais by virtue of their interactions among the peoples of Spain and Mexico. They were even called by early Spaniards as Cruzados because they have strangely long hair bangs which the Spaniards then saw as having a shape similar to the Christian cross.
Beaver hunters came to the town in the 1820's looking for their prey, the skins of which they sold to hat producers based in Europe. Their encounters with the town's early settlers awakened the West's interest in the town. After the 1848 Mexican-American War, Wickenburg was made part of the then growing United States.
A large gold strike in nearby Colorado River in 1862 led to inspired interest among Californian and Mexican miners to explore the central Arizona region for possible gold finds. These early explorers' names now adorn many famous landmarks in Wickenburg, one of which is the Weaver Mountains.
Among these early gold miners was Henry Wickenburg whose endless gold exploration led him to the Vulture Mine, where he successfully unearthed tons of the precious mineral which at that time was worth more than $30 million. His efforts earned him the entire town who now carries his name.
Besides the miners, ranchers and agricultural workers also came to Wickenburg at around the same time. They established their homes in various areas of the town, giving rise to several ranch farms. Along with Henry Wickenburg and his miners, they planted the seed of the young Wickenburg town in 1863.
Wickenburg Attractions
What proves to be a great attraction in the town of Wickenburg are its natural wonders. Of all of these natural beauties, the Hassayampa River stands out with its rich history dating as far back as the late 1700's when the Yavapai people used its waters for irrigating their crops. Today, the Hassayampa River is home to more than 280 different types of birds which is now housed in the Hassayampa River Preserve. Through this unique water system, water from the Hassayampa is forced to flow above the ground giving life to the many bird inhabitants. Previously, Hassayampa waters run beneath the water surface and are largely unseen.
The numerous bird dwellers in the Hassayampa River Preserve has given rise to a growing tourist attraction in Wickenburg, bird watching. Many tourists flock to the area annually to get a glimpse of the many wonderful birds that have come to make Wickenburg's famous river their new home.
Natural springs also abound in the Hassayampa River Preserve aside from several artificial lakes recently built around the preserve's perimeters. These have also attracted tourists as the place has likewise become home to some exotic bird species such as raprtors, herons, bittens, warblers, hummingbirds, and flycatchers.
Aside from the Hassayampa River, another site worth seeing in Wickenburg is the Vulture Mine. This historical site is the place where the town's founder found his destiny in 1863. A guided tour around the site will definitely inspire awe from visitors as they trace Henry Wickenburg's journey to his gold quest.
Wickenburg Economy
By tradition, Wickenburg has largely been known as a mining community. This is quite understandable considering that the town was founded by a gold miner. Likewise, Wickenburg has been known as a ranching community, which again is understandable given the fact that Wickenburg's early form of livelihood was ranching. These two forms of livelihood continue to be engaged in by many Wickenburg residents, notably ranching, with many Wickenburg folks still owning vast lands devoted primarily to ranching.
Recently, however, manufacturing and tourism have become the newest Wickenburg industries contributing a significant share in the town's overall economy. Tourism, in particular, became a profitable business venture because of the town's many historic sites. Likewise, its famous river has undergone significant changes, including becoming a haven for lots of bird species which has become the town's major tourist attraction.
In 1964, an industrial site was put up by Wickenburg authorities to lure manufacturing investors. This signalled Wickenburg's entry to the more modern forms of making a living. The gamble proved effective, as there are now about nine different industries operating within the park. Town authorities are presently contemplating on selling fifteen vacant spaces of the park to other manufacturers to complement the town's other industries that are concentrated in high-tech businesses.
Wickenburg also boasts of a thriving health care community and several treatment centers and facilities. Yet, through all of these high-tech developments, the town still prides itself as a ranching community, an industry that continues to thrive up to this day.
Wickenburg is a town located in the foothills of Bradshaw Mountains in the Maricopa County. It lies on the northern end of the Sonora Desert. It is the oldest town north of Tucson which was established in 1863 and incorporated in 1909. It has an estimated population of 5,345 as of 2003.
The Vulture Mine was discovered by Henry Wickenburg in 1863. In Arizona’s history, it became the richest gold producing mine. Henry Wickenburg, together with other miners helped in founding the community in 1863 which then named the town “Wickenburg.” The town had a rough start due to Indian wars, the closure of the mine, drought and the 1890 disastrous flood after the Walnut Creek dam burst. Despite the catastrophic events, the town continued to grow. The arrival of the railroad in the year 1895 insured the town’s prosperity. As mining died out, ranching and tourism took over. The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center which was the historic depot still stands today.
Present-day Wickenburg is now known as a leader in medical services sector. It also boasts of tourism. Beautiful structures were built along the town’s main historic district. Unique western experiences are offered to tourists at the guest ranches in the area.
