By Marguerite Madison Aronowitz
The city of Prescott is known for its many attractive features, including the historic courthouse, Whiskey Row, and a collection of five outstanding monumental bronzes that grace the downtown area. Residents and visitors alike often ask about the stories behind these impressive works of art.
The first and most famous of these beautiful bronzes is the William O’Neill Rough Rider Monument that stands in front of the historic courthouse and was dedicated on July 3, 1907. Recently restored, this monumental bronze depicts one of Prescott’s most famous sons, William Owen (Buckey) O’Neill, upon a spirited steed. O’Neill led a local contingent of over 200 men to war on May 4, 1898, when he and his volunteers left Prescott by train to join Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders bound for Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War. Unfortunately, Captain O’Neill was killed on July 1, 1898, just prior to the attack on Kettle Hill (followed soon thereafter by the Army’s famous charge up San Juan Hill). Buckey was buried on the battlefield, but his body was retrieved a year later and interred in Arlington Cemetery near the grave of his father, Captain John Owen O’Neill, who had fought in the Civil War.
The Rough Rider Monument is the creation of renowned artist Solon Borglum, whose brother Gutzon designed South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore. Solon Borglum accepted the commission to create the sculpture even though the $10,000 fee (approximately $400,000 in today’s dollars) was far below his normal asking price. Borglum loved the West, and the idea of creating a monument to fallen hero O’Neill caught his fancy. When the monument was dedicated, he attended the ceremony, along with Buckey’s son Maurice and many Prescott residents. This magnificent bronze, which rests on a 28-ton granite boulder taken from a nearby hillside, is considered to be one of Borglum’s finest works. Commissioned by the City of Prescott, it was paid for by area adults and school children.
The impressive grouping Early Settlers at the intersection of Gurley and Sheldon Streets was created by Prescott artist Bill Nebeker, C.A.A., and dedicated in 1985. It is comprised of a mule skinner, gold panner, cowboy, and bonneted woman who shields her eyes against the bright Arizona sun. Originally Nebeker considered adding a soldier from Fort Whipple to the grouping of three men, but after talking to his wife and father, chose instead a pioneer woman to represent the many married and single females who were instrumental in settling the rugged Southwest. During his early years, Nebeker worked with western artist George Phippen where he learned the art of bronze casting. Today his work can be found in galleries and museums throughout the United States.
The exciting Early Rodeo by Richard Terry, dedicated in 1988, is located in front of Prescott City Hall on Cortez and Goodwin. This beautiful piece was commissioned by the Prescott Community Art Trust to celebrate 100 years of rodeo in Prescott. The artist, a graduate of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, worked for the Buffalo Bronze Works in Sedona at the time he did Early Rodeo. Terry now resides in Whitehall, Montana, where he continues to work in bronze. Early Rodeo was cast at Skurja Art Castings in Prescott.
The moving All Veterans Memorial, on the west side of Courthouse Plaza, is the fourth of the five bronzes, having been dedicated in 1989. This inspiring tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces was created by native artist Neil Logan as a memorial to Yavapai County veterans who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The two soldiers depicted are in Vietnam where one is signaling for a medical helicopter to land and rescue a wounded man. Artist Logan attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff after having served in Vietnam for 27 months.
The most recent addition to the downtown bronzes is Cowboy at Rest, on the south side of the courthouse. It was "pointed up" (enlarged) from a miniature by Solon Borglum and dedicated in 1990. The smaller version, entitled The Lookout, was sculpted by Borglum prior to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri (also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair) where it was exhibited. Prescott’s thought-provoking horse and rider was approved by the Borglum family, commissioned by the Prescott Community Art Trust headed by former Prescott mayor Jerri Wagner, and cast at Skurja Art Castings. Those wishing to see more work by artist Borglum should visit Prescott Valley’s Civic Center, where an outstanding collection of 27 small bronzes is currently on exhibit. A brief written guide is available at the Public Works Department reception desk.
Over the years Prescottonians have continued to promote the creation and installation of major works of art such as the beautiful downtown bronzes. From the 1907 campaign to honor Buckey O’Neill to the continuing efforts of local people and organizations such as the Prescott Community Art Trust and Yavapai College, the residents of Prescott have created a showcase of significant art that is a reflection of the city’s history, traditions, artists, and true pioneer spirit.
(Marguerite Madison Aronowitz recently published the guidebook Art Treasures and Museums In and Around Prescott, Arizona, now available in the museum store, area bookstores, and the Prescott Visitors Center.)
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb110f2p13). Reuse only by permission.
The Courthouse Plaza filled up on July 3, 1907 when Prescott’s most famous statue was dedicated. The author has recently published a detailed guidebook to Prescott’s "art treasures" that tells the story of all of the statues on the Plaza as well as others in our area.