Things to see and do... Around Quartzsite
THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY in this area, from the pioneers and settlers who came here and settled into the town that is now Quartzsite; to prospectors and ranchers, whose decedents still live in the town. Many of the old buildings in town are on private property and aren’t accessible due to their deteriorated conditions, but you can still see them from the roads. Some places are open to the public; many are accessible by driving and hiking. TYSON’S WELL STAGE STATION MUSEUM Housed in Charles Tyson’s restored former stage stop, this museum displays mining equipment and houses the old assay office from the Mariquita Mine. The museum also exhibits photographs and personal possessions of some of Quartzsite’s most colorful residents. It is located next to Silly Al’s Pizza on Main Street. A restored stagecoach station operated by the Quartzsite Historical Society. Exhibits relate Quartzsite, its citizens, and locals mines. Collections date from the 1860s and include artifacts, mining equipment, a miniature village, and photographs and personal papers. The Quartzsite Historical Society opened Tyson’s Well Museum in February 1980, after extensive restoration work. The original structurally sound walls were retained and others were rebuilt. A shell of stabilized adobe brick was built around the original walls to protect them. Artifacts were gathered from interested citizens, as well as photographs and old mining equipment. When the building was finished, these articles were placed inside as well as outside the building. The dirt floor in one of the rooms was maintained for authenticity. The ceiling of the main room consists of saguaro ribs, and the original fireplace is still in use dur-
30
ing the winter. Outside in the yard is the original assay shack from the Mariquita Mine, which offers a peek into the everyday life of the miners. Also, in the yard is the handiwork of Walter Barrett, a little village of cement and stone houses built during his retirement and donated to the museum. Just to the west of the Museum are the ruins of the Oasis Hotel, which is our next restoration project, with fundraising currently underway. See: www.quartzsitemuseum.org/ CELIA’S RAINBOW GARDENS Located at the north end of Quartzsite Town Park on Plymouth Rd. This 20 acre section is a beautiful nature trail with several special areas along the trails. It includes a miniature pioneer village, a mining display, rock and gem pavilion, veterans’ area, and much more. It’s a work in progress started by Paul & Joanne Winer, the parents of Celia Anne Winer, an 8-year old who died in 1994. The volunteer project has become one of the most visited parts of the area. Be sure to take your camera to capture your own memories of the flora and fauna while walking the trails. THE GREAT TREE Quartzsite’s Desert Survivor was dedicated as part of Arizona’s Centennial, Witness Tree, verified to have witnessed Arizona’s statehood from February 14, 1912, to February 14, 2012. This Ironwood tree is 1,050 years old. The Trail head is just north of County Court on N. Plymouth. It has witnessed the ages from the same location and recently in its history has become accustomed to the yearly winter population boom of Quartzsite, located along Interstate 10 next to the Arizona/California border.
QuartzsiteVisitorGuide.com
Continued on Page 31
