The New Rodeo Parade Museum in Tucson
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On a Saturday in mid-January 2023, Ms. Karen and I were invited to visit the Rodeo Parade Museum at Irvington and 6th Avenue in Tucson. We had been there many years ago but wanted to see what they have done to it after receiving a sizable grant to upgrade. The grant covered the materials, but not much else, so much of the work was accomplished by volunteers.
We parked right in front of the museum and met Stan Martin, who would be our tour guide for this trip. And a great guide he was. In fact, we recommend that if you visit the Rodeo Parade Museum, you call ahead and arrange for a docent to guide you through it. A knowledgeable guide is invaluable here, as there are so many old Western coaches, wagons, carriages, and other artifacts, no layman can know much about them and their interesting history.
One of the many upgrades Stan and his many volunteers accomplished was to make this Museum ADA-accessible. Since I was riding my trusty electric scooter, Zippy, I really appreciated that particular improvement. The museum has been totally rearranged. There are four buildings, the first is the entrance, the Adobe, then the old hanger, and two more out back. Each one of these buildings holds a different theme. Along the sides of the main building and hanger booths or cribs have been built each containing another piece of historical interest, funded by donations. In answer to the question, “What do you do in a pandemic?” Update the museum was the answer. The museum is much better organized now and easier to see all that the museum has acquired, (as opposed to a storage place for historic wagons and artifacts). Some of the wagons have names, stories, and descriptions, but there is still more work to be done. Heat would be nice, impossible, but nice. Dress warmly in the winter.
Some starred in Western movies, others are actual relics of the Old West with no movie history at all. For example, one horse trailer and saddle belonged to Duncan Renaldo, aka, “The Cisco Kid” and his wonder horse, “Diablo” As a youngster growing up in a Los Angeles suburb, I enjoyed many hours watching the Cisco Kid on our old Black and White television. What great memories!
Another 6 wagons were built right here in Tucson in the late 19th century by Fred Ronstadt’s Wagon Company, Linda Ronstadt’s grandfather. Fred Ronstadt first came to Tucson in 1882 as an apprentice blacksmith at the wagon shop of Dalton and Vasquez. By 1888 he had mastered his craft and in 1892 opened his first wagonmaking establishment. In 2022, Linda continued the family tradition with the Old Pueblo when the Music Hall at the Tucson Convention Center was named in her honor.
Another classic there is the coach that once belonged to Emperor Maxmillion of Mexico. It was built in Europe, then shipped over to the New World. It eventually ended up in Sonora, Mexico, and now here. It has quite a story.
When the Museum first acquired the Emperor’s coach, it was green and in need of substantial repair. Tucson no longer had a wagonmaker in town who could repair it so the Museum had to send it back East to an Amish coach repair shop. There they discovered the original paint and the emperor’s emblem.
Each one of the dozens of horse-drawn coaches, wagons, and other artifacts has an interesting history, which is why you’ll need a docent handy to explain it all to you. So, take the time to go out there before the Rodeo Parade. Take a docent tour and leave a donation. It’s worthwhile. You can learn much more by visiting the Rodeo Parade Museum Website below. And Yes, there are plans for a gift shop. We hope to be able to have our books there.
Check with the museum before going as there are several closures due to the Fiesta de Los Vaqueros.
Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum
4823 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ.
Hours: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Thurs. thru Sat.
Closed: SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS
NOTE: This does not apply to privately arranged tours.
