Legends of the West: Exploring the Tom Mix Memorial and 96 Ranch in Florence, Arizona

[@gstiles7]

I can't tell you how many times I drove past there on my way to and from school and had no clue about its history. Thanks for the continued education of the Southwest!

[@CactusAtlas]

How funny! Granted as kids, we tend not to really grasp things like actors from other eras. I know when I was young, I probably wouldn't have cared as much as I do now. 😅

[@daynavillanueva1732]

I love 96 Ranch. I'm from Florence and It is beautiful out there. It's sad how people have vandalized it.

[@CactusAtlas]

No kidding. Abandoned shouldn't mean target practice. 😢

[@jairustheadventurer3935]

Fyi, I drove 96 ranch road to the house in my 2006 Nissan Maxima without scraping. Go slow and you'll be good! The barn and other out buildings used to be cool but were recently demoslished. Love it!

[@dianejohnson2143]

I’ve loved that marker, even with the bullet holes.

[@susanasalinas4273]

Thank you Glenn n Amy. My mom's brothers would talk about going to the movies to see Mr. Mix n all the other cowboys. Great story.

[@CactusAtlas]

There's very few left it seems. Would be interesting to have been able to experience one in the theater at the time. 👍

[@jairustheadventurer3935]

The stories I have of this place.... I once went out there at night and a quilt was nailed over the door to the cellar. I pulled back a small opening and saw a mf hospital bed and an extinguished lantern and said "NOPE" Btw, bats sometimes occupy the cellar in large numbers so don't go running in there. I once was out there and a blackhawk helicopter flew over about a thousand feet above us. The door was open and a guy was kind of hanging out so I gave him a wave and he waved back. Then, they flipped around and flew over us and the 96 ranch house within probably less than 50ft of altitude. It kicked up a MASSIVE cloud of dust. It was EPIC!! Some army air crew was out there messin around and made friends with us. 😂 I've also seen a plethora of wild animals from gila monsters to javelina!

[@CactusAtlas]

!!! Those are some wild stories! But more than anything... just a little jealous that you've seen a gila monster! One of the two area wildlife that we've not seen when out and about.

[@jairustheadventurer3935]

@@CactusAtlas it may seem spooky, but early evening I've had good luck with them coming up onto the road for some warmth.

[@kevinp2820]

Fascinating story. There’s a restaurant called Los Dos Molinos in Phoenix on South Central Street that was also a Tom Mix home. Very unique place check it out.

[@boriscook6817]

Your right Was a mortuary for many years before it became a restaurant Excellent food 👍🏻

[@Denkiiy]

The roof wooden beams are called "Vigas". Seen a lot in New Mexico style houses.

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

The gate is interesting. It looks like a K and the P would have been known as a lazy P. Pueblo revival architecture was popular in the 30's. Vigas are wooden beams used in ceilings. The ones on the outside of this house were for decoration. Popular in NM on houses from the 30's to the 50's. Cool old place. Thanks for taking us along. Oh, and a really cool root celler.

[@CactusAtlas]

Very cool. Thanks for the information about those details. Much appreciated! 😄

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

@@CactusAtlas you and Slim keep on truckin! I enjoy your videos.

[@richardmorrison2686]

The plaster is cheap ,quick way of doing a mock Adobe structure The 3 prong electric is from the 60-70,s , the original electrical wires use copper wire wrapped in a type of string , when you connected a fixture to it you just removed enough string cover , then twisted your new copper wire around the existing , trunk electric ,mounted on the white glass insulators, the original trunk wires were always run in the attic , as one could get shocked , by touching the bare wire or the string wire insulation . Many times the trunk electrical had no cover on the copper wires

[@TrzCharlie]

Great video and assessment of the Tom Mix memorial and the 96 ranch. Very cool. You inspire me to get in our jeep and get out there to explore. I wish there was more respect for old structures and places that are historic. It is shameful what happens to them.

[@CactusAtlas]

That is awesome! I hope you have some awesome times exploring. And I know what you mean about structures. One of the reasons why we only shoot them with our cameras. Who knows how much longer they will last.

[@richardbeee]

Well now, that was an easy explore. Old goat an I went out there years ago. The way we understood it, is there was a bigger ranch that wanted it. That building without a door was the pump house. The big rancher that wanted that place did all that he could do to run the owners out; including sabotage to the water. Once the water rights were bought up by the big rancher, the owners had to leave. It was a literal game of cat and mouse. Always looking behind you. Where the grill was up top was where the ranch foreman and his wife and kids lived. They were the first to leave. Kids. Back then the cowboys road for their brand. Was very important to them. That big tank by the windmill was a stock tank and a swimming hole. Heard it was a very beautiful place many years ago. Some say that there were actual gunfights there after the trouble started. Some of those bullet wounds could be from that. If you look at your video of that concrete building you'll see a dim outline of a door that they filled in. The idea was to throughly cut off their water supply till they left. One last thing, they still build with Adobe. Helped build one not to long ado in N.M. Tell Slim we said howdy and y'all be blessed by the Best!😊

[@CactusAtlas]

Ooooooooh. INTERESTING. It's funny... when we were there, I just didn't notice anything about that pump house (kinda figured that was what it must be) but when I was editing I noticed what looked like a door sized area that looked different (would be facing the road). I know from other videos I watched that across from that was the barn. Amazing how quickly all that lumber disappeared. I can believe that some of the damage to the buildings could have been original but considering the INTENSE amount of casings (probably saw upwards of close to 100 just in front of the adobe house alone)... I can't help but think the vast majority is recent. Which sucks a lot.

[@richardbeee]

@CactusAtlas so is the place for sale now? The last time we were there it was still owned but left by new owners. We may be interested. If we could get water.

[@CactusAtlas]

I don't believe it is for sale now, no. The listing we saw online appeared to have been from some time back by Headquarters West.

[@richardbeee]

@@CactusAtlas ok 👍

[@rogerharris8081]

Maybe a property search in Florence could reveal a historical ownership that could help in dating the renovations to the original ranch house. I hunted in that area in the early 80’s, but didn’t explore the buildings. Nice video of a little known road.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you. Not a bad idea. We're definitely curious about that house and dating some of it. Just gotta find the time to dig a bit more. 😅

[@garyandjessbullock]

Hey Glen, could you and Slim please give us a tour of 17 mile road neer Wikiup and perhaps see if the two of you can find an all dirt road way into the north east shores of Alamo Lake? We own Slims two wheel drive Chevy Colorado counterpart and hope to way find a safe passage, but could use your and Slims 4x4 help to scout it first.

[@markely7587]

I have done that run before, but I didn’t step on the property. Pretty cool run. I’ll have to do it again and walk around more.

[@CactusAtlas]

The signs are faded but used to welcome people to explore so long as one doesn't vandalize. Given there are no updated signs stating no trespassing, we're under the assumption the rule still stands.

[@upallnightgolf]

You found the filming location for a Disney movie. "Charlie Crowfoot and the Coati Mundi"

[@CactusAtlas]

Whaaa? How have I not heard of this? 100% going to have to watch this little film. Just watched a short bit and it looks quite cute!

[@327journal]

Love the shirt. Did you wear it because Tom Mix drove a Cord?

[@CactusAtlas]

Nope. Just a favorite shirt. 😊

[@robertlyman9789]

Creosote smell in railroad ties

[@MargaretMcIlvenna]

I've seen that style of cast iron bathtub in homes built in the 1920s. Treasure!

[@CactusAtlas]

Very cool! I wonder if this one dated that far back? 🤔

[@buckwheatsofia]

So sad about Tom Mix. What a beautiful piece of land. Interesting house. Thanks for this great video

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 😄

[@adampolselli597]

Interestingly enough, the stretch between Saguaro National Park and Phoenix on the AZ State Route 79 is America's fastest road (according to Forbes in 2010). They claim that the fastest drivers routinely hit speeds between 87-90 MPH. Tom Mix isn't the only one to speed on this length of highway.

[@CactusAtlas]

Interesting information! Thanks for sharing it with it. 😄👍

[@theinstructor2687]

When I was young, it was legal to drink and drive in many states. Not legal to drive drunk, but to have a drink, often referred to as a 'traveler' you could sip on while driving. Tom Mix was indeed the King of the Cowboys. Thanks for another fun and informative video. Oh yeah, and say hi to Slim for me.

[@CactusAtlas]

Different times than now for sure. 😅 Slim honks his hellos back at'cha. 😂

[@Rfk1966]

Crazy enough, people referred to light beer as “driving beer” … growing up in the Midwest

[@kevinfranck6520]

The Palm is a California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera), but they are native in several wild places in Arizona.

[@CactusAtlas]

Appreciate the info! 👍

[@Feribrat99]

Camera on roof better than the dash by far

[@CactusAtlas]

Fantastic! We've got more footage using the same mount coming in the next week. So far it seems to be holding on and a completely workable solution. Thanks for the feedback. 😄👍

[@jefflilyea4669]

Tom Mix birthplace home on rt.318 near rt.14 upstate New York

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

The "suitcase" was a heavy Haliburton metal case. It flew from the back seat upon impact and hit him.

[@Radd_AZ]

So I've been trying to decipher the brand on the gate and it's got me flumoxed. The figure on the right is either a Lazy P or, most likely, a Lazy 9. But I can't tell if the figure on the left was meant as a "K" or a West-pointing arrow. So, if I had to give my best guess, I'd say the "West 9" or "9 West" ranch or gate? Just guessing though. I appreciate the videos of our beautiful state. Keep up the great work!

[@CactusAtlas]

We don't have a lot of experience deciphering brands so always appreciate others info. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I'll dig up some info on it someday. I want to say I came across a listing of brands at one point when I was working on another video. You never know...! Could be on there. 😅

[@SwiftyTravels]

I like the GoPro set up. I always have a dirty windshield. I should try something like that. Glad to know it doesn’t fly off when you speed up or if it’s windy outside 😂 You presented some interesting history that I was not aware of! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh yeah. The new set up really will help out with having to keep a clean windshield. Though I guess now we just have to keep an eye out for a clean lens on the GoPro. 🤣

[@kathietee291]

Nice video! Love the historical info and views of the beautiful saguaros on the hills! The camera appears to do great on the top of truck. I enjoy your videos and historical stories, and, by the way, you DO NOT talk too much! How weird would it be to have a walk/drive through in silence, with no explanation of what we are seeing. Keep doing it your way, please!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! 🤣 It would be weird. I just edit Glenn how he is. Not trying to make him into anything other than who he is. 😊

[@RobertGlazier]

The room in that house with the windows is called an Arizona room, most of the time built in the north or south side of the house so as to be cooler in the summer. The tile looks like the thin sitio tile. Great video. I live in Sierra Vista.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you!

[@joywyse6996]

Glenn and Amy, enjoyed this video very much. I am really getting a good Arizona education from your videos. I'm soon to be an Arizona resident again. Love it!! Thanks.

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure! Arizona can't wait to have you back. 😊

[@senchirai]

The roof footage is instantly noticeable and lovely. I commented on it to Spouse immediately. Yes please and hi from Old Pueblo

[@CactusAtlas]

Fantastic! We'll have to see how it works out when the temperatures rise but we're hoping a nice little breeze will help out with the overheating issue. 😅

[@wallacerobertsconsulting2894]

We camped at 96 Ranch about 16 years ago, & that bare concrete foundation was part of a barn that has fallen down or was demolished & removed.

[@CactusAtlas]

I saw that on a different video! I think it was only a couple of years ago that the barn was still there. 😟

[@mariebrundridge2679]

Reminds me of the James Dean car accident in California on Hyway 46 on the way to Paso Robles.

[@CactusAtlas]

It does. There's a number of famous crash sites out there sadly.

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Go pro roof mounted is a nice feature. I suppose inclement weather might require it to get tucked away. Great video Glenn.

[@CactusAtlas]

Probably. They are waterproof (we dunked one in the Colorado River) but raindrops on the lens wouldn't make for the best filming. 😂

[@01Lenda]

The tub is cast iron with enamel, my guess. Great video! 🌿💙

[@CactusAtlas]

Yes! Thank you! 😄

[@CJ-fz2fm]

Tom Mix was a friend of the old west legend Wyatt Earp! That‘s a pretty cool story.

[@CactusAtlas]

Indeed. I read somewhere online that Wyatt would come down to the set and watch production sometimes.

[@ENJIMEEREBAY]

Glen and Amy, this is an impressive production. Keep up the great work.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks, will do! 😄

[@BUD100ify]

I had a house in Tampa built in 1954 with an identical bath tub and fixtures.

[@CactusAtlas]

Our best guess is that the original structure was added to over different periods of time. 😄

[@dallaswright7591]

That traffic noise is people going to Cadillac Chaparral for steak dinner👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Interesting! Never been there before. 👍

[@willies330]

👍🫡

[@BikerGeek]

I heard everything was torn down at the 96 Ranch. We did a video on it a few years back.

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah, many buildings appear to be gone.

[@BikerGeek]

@@CactusAtlas I think I'll head back down there. Didn't do any drone footage because the wind was so high. Another neat place to visit down there is the Butte View Cemetery near Adamsville. Haven't checked on Doug in a year or so. He's single handedly restoring the cemetery.

[@michaelwalker6121]

I'd love to have been able to see that ranch in it's hey-day.

[@CactusAtlas]

Us too. Heck, I would have loved to see the ranch a couple years back. From videos we've seen, there were a number of buildings which aren't there anymore. 😞

[@VVv-c2m]

That electric is called ' nob n tube"..

[@CactusAtlas]

Interesting! Will have to look that up and/or inquire with family. Half the time when we're inquiring about electrical stuff in videos, we're also asking them. 🤣

[@VVv-c2m]

@CactusAtlas it has a porcelain round piece / nail in center . Copper wire wraps around porcelain . They usually run positive next to negative. At one time it was bare copper wire , then switched to isolated w/ cotten .

[@29VK05]

I like watching your videos and appreciate the information you provide. However, you just talk too much!! A picture speaks more than a thousand words. Let your pictures do the talking and just add information where appropriate.

[@kiethcalvert911]

Salt cider trees out there.