Editorial Note: For those of you following along, this is the last out-of-sequence post on my travels to my current spot on the Texas coast. Not that my previous several posts would indicate, but the trip was a direct route from the southern California desert, through southern Arizona (with stops in Yuma, Dragoon, Tombstone, and Willcox), followed by a speedy “peddle to the metal” drive through New Mexico (didn’t get to see anything) to Texas. After this post I will have finally caught up to my current location! Thanks for hanging in there with my crazy and unintended sequencing.

Evidence of the Wild West is alive and well all over the southwestern states. Tributes to fallen outlaws and admired cowboys abound.

The city of Willcox, Arizona may be small is size (population roughly 4,500) but it is large in western history.

Downtown Willcox, Arizona, high noon.

Warren Earp, youngest of the Earp brothers, was shot and killed on a corner in Willcox, Arizona in 1900. He is buried in the Old Cemetery.

The Rex Allen Museum and Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Actor, singer and songwriter Rex Allen, known as the Arizona Cowboy, was born 40 miles from Willcox, and he died in Tuscon in 1999. His legend lives on in a  museum dedicated to his memory in downtown Willcox. Also known as the Last of the Silver Screen Cowboys, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Rex Allen statue overlooking Koko the Horse’s resting place.

Like the caption says, Rex Allen really is overlooking Koko’s resting place. The much loved Koko the Horse was almost as famous as his owner. Back in the day of the old western movie, the studios required the cowboys/actors to provide their own horse and wardrobe. Can you imagine any of today’s spoiled actors and actresses gong for that? Hell no.

At Allen’s request, Koko was buried here in Railroad Park, right across from the museum. Allen’s ashes were also scattered around the park when he died.

Life-size replica of Koko the Horse.

Liberace would be proud.

Dining in Style

I love odd and whimsical buildings, homes and restaurants, but I didn’t get a chance to eat here. If you’ve been, feel free to give a revue in the comments.

Dining in style – railroad car style.