Henry Wickenburg-Town Founder

As young men, Henry and his brother were caught illegally mining coal on 'their' family farm.  Both men fled to avoid prosecution.  Henry joined the Prussian army and after his military service, lived in Rotterdam, Netherlands for a year.  He eventually arrived in New York, in 1847.

• In 1851, Henry worked for the “Pacific Mail Steamship Company”, as a fireman, on the ship “Cortez” (Cortes).
• Henry arrived in San Francisco, in 1852, and was Naturalized in 1853 (1870 Census).  Henry helped dig the first artisan well in Fresno, California.
• Thomas E. Farish, the first State Historian, (1912) credits Henry with working for the United States Government (Tucson), in 1862.
• In 1863, Henry sets up camp on the bank of the Hassayampa and takes over the Indian gardens, known as the “Pumpkin Patch” (Joseph Fish Manuscript).  
• Henry discovers the “Vulture” Gold Mine, in October, of 1863.  Many people felt that the discovery of gold led to the development of the Territorial Government and then ultimately to Arizona becoming a state.
• In 1866, Henry Wickenburg sold a portion of his interest in the Vulture Mine to a New York firm.  Henry never received the full purchase price for the sale.
• In 1879 Henry Wickenburg was deeded 160 acres, certified by President Rutherford B. Hayes, which later became the Town of Wickenburg.

Henry Wickenburg never married, but Mrs. Helene Holland, inherited Henry’s property, in 1905. It should be noted, that while Henry was still alive, his personal property was gifted to Helene, in 1903.  Henry Wickenburg died from a gunshot wound to the head.  His death was deemed a suicide, but many questioned this ruling.