Wickenburg, Desert town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Wickenburg is a settlement in two Arizona counties, Maricopa and Yavapai, with houses and buildings spread across sandy ground between low hills. The center sits near the edge of a dry riverbed, surrounded by cacti and desert shrub vegetation.
A German immigrant named Henry Wickenburg discovered gold in the mountains west of the present town in 1863 and founded the Vulture Mine. A settlement then grew along the Hassayampa River, attracting miners and traders.
At the Western art museum, visitors see paintings and objects from the time of cowboys and prospectors. The collection shows saddles, clothing and tools once used on ranches and in the mines.
The drive takes about an hour and a half from Phoenix on highway 93, which runs through open terrain. Lodging ranges from hotels in the center to guest ranches outside the settlement.
A multi-day festival in February honors the gold rush era, where visitors can pan for gold flakes in sand themselves. The event includes horseback demonstrations and parades with historical costumes.
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