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| A tribute |
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| BNSF rolls through Wickenburg |
TUCSON, AZ - - It's been a couple of days without internet on our swing through the 'out there' of southwestern Arizona. Thursday along AZ 85 we encountered a Memorial State Park dedicated to the Granite Mountain Hot Shots. On June 30, 2013 tragedy befell 19 individuals trapped while fighting the Yarnell Hill Wildfire. A trail with 19 separate granite plaques, based on rank and tool of the individual, recounts their story. Additionally, hikers can visit the fatality site with 19 gabions (wire mesh filled with rocks and linked by an unbroken chain) to pay their respects.
Wickenburg, a former gold mining town was down the road. Henry Wickenburg didn't find gold in the 1848 California Gold Rush. But he struck paydirt (1863) while prospecting in AZ. The Vulture Mine became the largest gold and silver producing mine (ever) in AZ...so they named the town for him. After about 80 years, the the mine became unprofitable. The town survived as the unofficial "Dude Ranch" capital of the U.S. The railroad continues to rumble through with about 15 freights a day.
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