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Courthouse Conundrum LbNA #28282 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Dec 13, 2009
Location:
City:Prescott
County:Yavapai
State:Arizona
Boxes:1
Planted by:Ann
Found by: Okie Travelers
Last found:Oct 4, 2009
Status:FFFaaFFFFFFaFFaaaaaa
Last edited:Dec 13, 2009
THE COURTHOUSE CONUNDRUM
Replaced 12/13/09 (4th try)

This is a mysterious parade of 8 interesting commemorations that dwell
IN or AROUND The Prescott Courthouse Square. You'll probably not encounter rattlesnakes or scorpions, but look out for the Courthouse guards and the tourists milling about. The box has been removed 3 times so use discretion retrieving and placing the box ! This is an easy hunt.
We want to know WHERE YOU'RE FROM so bring along a pen. There is a stamp pad in the box.
Contact: cezannie@hotmail.com with comments or if the box is missing.

1. Begin with a REST: "The Resting Cowboy" at the south end of the Courthouse Square. You will learn more about this sculptor, Solon Borglum, later on. Just know this sculpture started out as a miniature. The city enlarged it at the foundry and placed it here in 1990. When the piece was enlarged all the artist's mistakes were magnified. Note the cowboy's large head. Also note that Solon gave the cowpoke a covered holster. You will see later why a hooded holster is so important when you visit "Bucky". Why are there no reins on the watchful horse? Both cowboy and horse appear to be wearing chaps.
Prescott bought over 20 of Solon's miniature sculptures. They've been under wraps for years. Just recently some smart folk in Prescott Valley offered to exhibit them. Call Prescott Valley's City Hall to assure they are showing in their Courthouse.

At the eating end of the cowboy's companion, turn west. Go past 4 pylons to the corner. Note the recent fossils in the cement. At the corner, turn north, go past 10 pylons. At the 10th note the inscription: WPA 1936. This good public work still stands!

2. Walk north a few paces to "5 Wars" ( No more !!) This statue was created by Neil Logan of Skull Valley and placed in 1987. Notice the torn pants, the soldier's anguish, the spent bullet and the wee bottle on top. Also: note the plaque is full !

3. Walk 20 paces up the path with the war memorial on your right. Turn left . If you go straight you'll end up in the women's bathroom!. Head north leaving 11 pylons on your left. When you reach the end, step up on the grass to your left and look for the low plaque in honor of "Mike". Dogs count in Prescott !

4. When you've dried your eyes, turn east and walk past 3 pylons to "The Beginning of Time". It's a trip through our local history.

5. When you are finally standing in Yavapai County, turn so Gurley is to your back and face our illustrious hero statue: "The Rough Rider". This equestrian statue was created by Solon Borglum and installed breathlessly just a few hours before the ceremony on July 3, 1907. The sculpture was cast in NYC, put on railcar and then it got lost. It was lost for over three weeks. The sculptor arrived a few weeks ahead of the dedication, found the large granite base just outside the city and waited for his sculpture. And he waited. The sculpture didn't arrive. A detective was hired and found the piece discarded on a side track in Albuquerque. Sent immediatly to Prescott, the rail car broke due to the weight of the sculpture. It arrived just hours before the dedication to honor William Owen "Bucky" O'Neill's death 9 years before. Bucky has been riding his steed up the Cuban San Juan Hill now for over 100 years. Bucky served as Mayor and sheriff of Prescott. The name "Bucky" came because of his penchant for gambling. Note Bucky is about to loose his pistol as he's not equipped with the standard covered cavalry holster. Remember THE RESTING COWBOY? That sculpture was done much later and I'm sure someone pointed out this error to the artist. During the 30's, the sheriff had to hide the sword in his office as the local high school kids were privy to the fact that the sword comes out of the scabbard. The horse's four feet are on the ground, which symbolizes that Bucky died on the ground not on the horse. Solon's famous brother, Guston, sculpted Mt. Rushmore.

From Bucky's front end, walk back to Gurley, turn right and continue to the east corner. Along the way note the memorial to a tree.
At the corner, turn right and walk to the corner of Cortez and Goodwin. Cross Goodwin, then Cortez. Still walking east, walk 17 paces leaving the "poodle bushes' on your right. Turn right, ascend 7 white steps and turn right to

6. "The Rearing Rodeo" sculpture. This piece celebrates 100 years of the world's oldest rodeo right here in Prescott ! It was created by Richard Terry and installed in 1987. Try to find the two cowlicks and note the hairy chaps. Why doesn't the horse have a bit in its mouth? The sculpture was placed here only temporarily. Where do you think would be a good final resting place for the sculpture?

7. There have been a few more recent additions to Prescott’s central sculpture collection:

Return down white stairs and turn right. go up Goodwin St., cross S. Marina and continue up sidewalk as you age. At the top of 12 steps and where vesuvius erupts (AD 572), you will find the “Library Lizard”. It took Heather Johnson-Beary 9 months to create this interactive piece. Weighing in at 500 lbs. this horny toad doesn’t squirt blood from its eyes but it reads. Be sure to read over this contented lizard’s shoulder and sit in lizard’s lap. Gently knock on the bolster and listen to the hollow lizard tone. Did you find the butterfly and the cat?

8. Cats get bigger as you proceed up the ramp. Go towards the library door but turn a sharp left near the door and go down the ramp. Turn right and 4 paces up the ramp you’ll discover “ Lucy the Library Lion”. Jesse Homoke created this 240 lb. cat in the depth of winter and his clay was frozen most of the time. The lion is hollow too but the fur holds a few surprises. Jesse’s sense of humor is hidden. Look for the tiger on the tail, the rabbit on the foot and the dog on the paw. Is the lion male or female? If you enjoy these pieces stop in and tell a librarian of your admiration.

To finally find the Courthouse Conundrum letterbox continue up the ramp. at the “ World’s History Time Line” turn right and walk along the sidewalk 8 paces,leaving the brick planter on your right. Turn left, go 13 paces, right 11 paces, left 5 paces, right 53 paces to the library history sign. Be sure to pay homage to the 300 year old oak on you right. The letterbox is under the ivy, 2 feet along the east wall from the SE corner of the retaining wall. Be discreet as I have replaced this box 3 times” Camouflage it when you're done.

ENJOY!

The box has an originally carved stamp, a stamp pad, pen and note book. Please contact me that you found the box. cezannie@hotmail.com
12/14/09