Wickenburg Historical Preservation Society

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Wickenburg Historical Preservation Society

Wickenburg Historical Preservation SocietyWickenburg Historical Preservation SocietyWickenburg Historical Preservation Society
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Henry Wickenburg

TOWN FOUNDER  and Discoverer of the Vulture Gold Mine 1863

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.


  • 1851 Henry worked for the “Pacific Mail Steamship Company”, as a fireman on the ship “Cortez” (Cortes).
  • Henry arrived in Sand Francisco in 1852 and was Naturalized in 1853 (1870 Census) Henry helped dig the first artisan well in Fresno, CA.
  • Thomas E. Farish, the first State Historian, (1912) credits Henry with working for the United States Government (Tuscon) in 1862.
  • 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).
  • In October 1863 Henry discovers the “Vulture” Gold Mine.


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


Mrs. Helene Holland, who inherited Henry’s property, received his personal property in 1903, while he was still alive, and the remainder of his estate in 1905 after Henry Wickenburg died from a gunshot wound in the head. His death was deemed a suicide, but many questioned this ruling. 

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Henry Wickenburg (Johannes Henrichs Wickenburg) was born in Essen,  Germany on November 21st, 1819.

Accomplishments:

  • Became a member of the 7th Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1873
  • Served on the Mines Committee, the Roads and Ferries Committee, and the Claims Committee
  • Wickenburg Postmaster (Resigned in 1877)
  • Was and inspector and trustee for the Wickenburg Schools
  • Donated land for the first church in Wickenburg (Catholic Church documents)
  • 1890-1895 Ran a general store
  • Granted an easement to the railroad in 1894
  • Developer - Sold city lots
  • Was Justice of the Peace, a judge and served on Coroner’s Panel
  • Census taker
  • Farmer, miner and rancher
  • President of the Wickenburg Mining District
  • Help finance Jack Swilling’s Ditch Project, which later became known as the Salt River Project. Jack Swilling’s idea led to the development of Phoenix





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Henry Wickenburg's Houses

Henry Wickenburg’s first Wickenburg home: “Tunnel House” circa 1862. The tunnel was timbered and had a 10x12 foot rock room constructed at one end of it. The tunnel was a get-a-way from the Indians. Henry also kept his perishable food in it. 

Henry Wickenburg’s 1864 ranch house and farmland were destroyed by the 1890 Walnut Dam flood. 

FX Ranch

Henry Wickenburg sold a portion of his original homestead to F.X. O’Brian in 1903. FX Built the ranch house called “La Testa”. It was named for the orchards that were planted and ‘tested’ there. The house still stands and is currently part of the Simpson Ranch along with the remains of the “Tunnel House”. 


Henry Wickenburg is credited for planting the palm trees. 

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Henry Wickenburg’s last home, the Wickenburg-Boetto home built in 1903, is located at 225 S Washington Street.


Henry Wickenburg is buried at the Henry Wickenburg Pioneer Cemetery located off of Howard Court.

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A History of Wickenburg to 1875

Helen Hawkin’s Book- Available for $16 at the Henry Wickenburg Home

Wickenburg Historical Preservation Society

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