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The Courthouse Conundrum LbNA #70582

Owner:cezannie
Plant date:Oct 22, 2022
Location: Courthouse Square
City:Prescott
County:Yavapai
State:Arizona
Boxes:1
Found by: JoySong
Last found:Oct 7, 2021
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Oct 23, 2022
Placed 9/29/16

This is a mysterious parade of interesting sculptural commemorations that dwell IN and AROUND
Prescott, AZ Courthouse Square. You will not encounter rattlesnakes or scorpions but be
discreet about the Courthouse guards and tourists that lurk about. This is an easy hunt. Bring
a pen and a stamp pad along with your stamp and book. Let me know where you are from.
That’s so fun.

1. Start at the Southeast corner of the Courthouse Square, walk past 16 pylons on your right.
Turn left, walk past the fountain (winter =Xmas tree) to the “Rough Rider”. This equestrian
statue was created by Solon Borgrum (brother of Guston Borgrum who sculpted Mt. Rushmore). After being cast in NYC, it was put on a railcar for delivery to Prescott. When
Borglum arrived 2 weeks ahead to install the sculpture, it was no where to be found. Borglum selected the large granite boulder for the pedestal and waited. Desperate, Borglum hired a detective who discovered the sculpture sitting on a side track in Albuquerque, NM. On the final leg to Prescott, the heavy sculpture broke the railcar. “Bucky” was breathlessly installed on July 3, 1907
William Owen “Bucky” O’Neill has been riding his steed for over 100 years. “Bucky”, once mayor, lawyer, and sheriff, earned his name from his penchant for gambling.
Note: he is about to lose his pistol as he is NOT wearing the issued cavalry holster with a cover.The sword disappears occasionally as it comes out of the scabbard for either the high school kids or sheriff have stolen it. Note: the horse has 4 feet on the ground. In equestrian statuary, this symbolizes that Bucky died on the ground, not on his horse, Apparently Bucky died far from the action on San Juan Hill.

2. From the eating end of the horse, go 30 paces to the :Beginning of Time”. When you have past all the time in “Yavapai County”, turn West, pass 3 pylons on your left to find ”Mikes Memorial”. Dogs count in Prescott !

3. Step back, turn left and steps on the walkway. Go 11 pylons on your right. Turn right and walk 20 paces to “5 Wars” by Neil Logan of skull Valley, places 1987.
Note: the torn pants, the anguish, the spent bullet and small bottle on his helmet.
Editorial: there is no more room on the plaque for more lost lives.

4. Continue South on the walkway. Note: the WPA 1936 stamp on the low cement wall. Go past 10 pylons, turn left walk 4 pylons on your left to “The Resting Cowboy”. This sculpture was also created by Solon Borglum but only as a small maquette. The city had it enlarged which explains why the cowboy’s head is out of proportion. All of Borglum’s maquette are owned by Prescott Valley. Note: the rider has no hold on the reins.
Also note the holster has a cover.

5. Return to the Southeast corner of the Square, cross Goodwin, turn left and cross Cortez.
Walk up the hill, cross Marina and you will be at the Prescott Library. Go up “Time’, up 12 steps to Mt. Vesuvius erupting. You will find Heather Johnson Beary’s “Library Lizard”
leaning back reading a book.
When the library did a major renovation in 2008, the Lizard and the Mt. Lion were the art component of the project. Find the bee, the ladybug, the cat and be sure to read the book.


Pg 2 Courthouse Conundrum LB

6. Continue up “Time” to when the Danes invaded England. On your right, on the wall,
lounges a life sized Mt. Lion. by Jesse Homoke. Jesse created the lion in a small
airstream trailer in the hot Prescott summer. Jesse says he has all kinds of animals
hidden in the lion’s fur. For a closer look, go through the library’s front door, turn left
and enter the walled garden. You’ll also find a bare footed young lady happily
reading a book. “Booked for a Day” was sculpted by Dan L. Hill.

7. Return to “Time”, go down to and cross Marina. Go the Corner of Cortez and Goodwin.
Notice the pictorial history on the utility box on your right. Turn left, walk a few steps
and go left up the 12 stairs. Walk to the corner, turn left, pass the grass and turn left
onto the named pavers. You will find the equestrian statue commemorating 100 years
of the world’s oldest rodeo. The sculpture was created by Richard Terry and placed 1987.
Note all the movement in the forms, that the horse’s ears are back and there
is no bit in the horse’s mouth.

To find the Letterbox, go back to Goodwin Street and proceed west, through 2 lights and stay on the right side of the Street. Cross Granite Creek and go down the stairs, turn left and walk 37 paces. Turn left and a little above the trail you'll find a large Cottonwood tree with a hole at the back. You'll find the Letterbox in camouflage cover with some rocks. Please be stealthy as this is the 4th time this box has been replaced.


Hike length: 0.5 miles