| Wickenburg is located 50 miles northwest of | | | | And it's all just a small part of Wickenburg's idea |
| Phoenix. It's pretty far out from the city so that | | | | of how to keep the old west feeling alive. |
| it would be tough to try to include it within one's | | | | Wickenburg can offer you desert, history, and the |
| idea of the greater metropolitan area. | | | | promise of a changing future. If you're looking at |
| However, with the galloping growth of the | | | | Arizona then that's what you're interested in the |
| Phoenix area Wickenburg is getting closer and | | | | first analysis, right? |
| closer every day. Wickenburg is at an elevation of | | | | The town gives its residents the comforts of city |
| 2,100 feet- and this is a good thing because it | | | | living. An adjacent airport, curbed streets, town |
| offers some relief from the scorching | | | | utilities, and paved streets are some of the |
| temperatures that mercilessly pound down upon | | | | benefits this small town provides. |
| the dusty desert plain. | | | | Wickenburg has reconciled with the past and is |
| Residents of Wickenburg can high-tail it into, or | | | | ready to play an active part in the changing |
| out of, town by taking State Highway 93 (Grand | | | | Arizona tapestry. |
| Avenue), which travels northwest diagonally from | | | | So find your pleasant paradise as you sit blissfully |
| metropolitan Phoenix. This route is the quick way | | | | along the banks of the lazy Hassayampa River |
| to go. | | | | watching time march by. |
| Wickenburg is right next to Hassayampa River, | | | | Wickenburg Entertainment |
| which means "river that flows upside down." The | | | | There are a wide range of services available in |
| Native Americans living in the area gave the river | | | | Wickenburg, along with a relaxing Western |
| its name, due to the fact that the river actually | | | | lifestyle that so many residents enjoy. With more |
| flows 20 feet below the surface for most of its | | | | than 400 businesses in town, residents have a full |
| 100 mile course through the desert. | | | | range of services, stores, and specialty shops at |
| Today, it is still one of the last free-flowing rivers | | | | their disposal |
| in the Arizona desert. | | | | Wickenburg is no "plains Jane"- the people just |
| Water in the desert? | | | | prefer a low profile style with a minimum of |
| What a concept! | | | | commotion. The Desert Caballeros Western |
| This makes the area unique and attractive in a | | | | Museum situated in downtown, showcases |
| very remarkable way and the river makes the | | | | acclaimed collections of Western art and artifacts. |
| town of Wickenburg is a great place to live. | | | | Modest and tasteful special events and shows are |
| Nestled in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, | | | | offered throughout the year at the museum for |
| along the Hassayampa River, the town of | | | | residents and visitors. |
| Wickenburg has grown to become a popular place | | | | Main Street has been preserved. Luckily for the |
| to call home. It was the first town built north of | | | | historically minded visitor the urban sprawl and |
| Tucson, making it one of the oldest towns in | | | | extensive development never took place here. |
| Arizona. Wickenburg is a progressive community | | | | Not so much as a tace- so that you can be here, |
| that carefully maintains a high quality of life. | | | | and see here, what people were all about when |
| Climate | | | | some folks were advising others to save their |
| The climate is typical of the southwest. There is a | | | | Confederate currencies! |
| mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry | | | | Even the old Santa Fe Train Station has been |
| summer. Many have claimed that the dry, hot | | | | converted into the Chamber of Commerce |
| summer conditions have helped to relive many of | | | | building. Wickenburg residents spend most of their |
| their allergy symptoms. | | | | time strolling uncluttered downtown streets, |
| Summer days are clear and spectacular and the | | | | talking about the weather and sharing the |
| temperatures are truly remarkable. Spring and | | | | hospitality they've brought along from so many |
| autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons. | | | | other wonderful places. |
| There is a brief monsoon season that is truly | | | | Wickenburg Outdoor Recreation |
| extraordinary. | | | | The town of Wickenburg once held the title of |
| History of Wickenburg | | | | Dude Ranch Capital of the World. It is hard to |
| Town historians have agreed to begin | | | | imagine who could have wrestled this distinction |
| Wickenburg's city timeline in 1863. It was then | | | | away- but the matter must certainly be under |
| that Henry Wickenburg, a German immigrant, | | | | appeal. |
| came to the area and discovered gold. This | | | | Today, the town still has several dude ranches. |
| discovery eventually became the well chronicled | | | | However, one of the biggest pastimes in town is |
| Vulture Mine. | | | | the sport of golf. There are several courses |
| Henry found his fortune in the stark Arizona plains | | | | available in and around the surround area that are |
| so long ago as the Vulture Mine proved to be the | | | | available play year round. With warm weather and |
| most profitable gold and silver mine in the desert. | | | | sunny skies, a round of golf is the perfect way to |
| And people have continued to pass through this | | | | spend a day in Wickenburg. |
| cozy town ever since on the way to their | | | | Outdoor recreation is something everyone likes to |
| destinies in the important metropolitan areas | | | | do. It is good for you, too. Probably 9 out of 10 |
| farther west. | | | | doctors would say that active participation in |
| The few settlers, names unknown, that first | | | | exercise strengthens the body; helps stave off |
| dwelt here were small time ranchers. Then the | | | | disease and lengthens life. |
| gold fever hit and this nondescript area shone | | | | Just be careful of injuries! |
| brightly for its 15 minutes., In the 1920's and | | | | Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and much more |
| 1930's, dude ranches, offered cookouts, trail rides, | | | | are part of living in Wickenburg. Residents enjoy |
| and hayrides, started popping up in Wickenburg. | | | | spending time outside. People often say, "You will |
| These dude ranches probably provided much of | | | | be sure to find it all out Wickenburg way!" |
| the material to the series of delightful comedies | | | | The Hassayampa River Preserve is a popular |
| that have appeared on film recently in these | | | | outdoor spot for many people. A nature trail along |
| settings | | | | the Hassayampa River allows hikers an |
| Today several functioning dude ranches remain on | | | | opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the 220 |
| the edge of town plying their assortment of | | | | species of birds that call this preserve home. |
| goods and services for the voracious appetite of | | | | Wickenburg is a terrific place for those who want |
| eager tourists from all over the globe. It's a living | | | | to combine the history of the old west with an |
| chronicle- a town run amuck in history and | | | | outdoor lifestyle. |
| tradition. | | | | |