Some views of the Benson streets.  Notice the Horseshoe Cafe at the far end of the third photo.

Vern and Eloise Parker had his studio and their gift shop along the main highway.  It is really undetermined just whereit was, but by comparing two photos, one of the Parker era and one today, it is quite possible that the site is here, although totally changed, of course.  But the mountain range in the back remains the same, thus deciding that this must have been the place.

            

It was a very nostalgic day for me to know I walked where my uncle walked and saw the same things and places that he did.  There is little or no chance that I will return to Benson,  so for me, it was the end of the Odessey, and a very rewarding one.

 

COLOSSAL CAVE MOUNTAIN PARK

Vail, Arizona

       

Colossal Cave, 1929                                              Colossal Cave, 1960

                                                                                     

Photo 1:  Radio and television broadcaster Ray 0dem (left) and Colossal Cave operator Joe Maierhauser pose in front of the camera with the cowboy figure from the cave"s dioramam created by Western artis  Vern Parker in 1959. Photo 2:  Operator Joe Maierhauser jokes around with Colossal Cave's bandit cut-out made by Western artist, Vern Parker.  (pg. 26)

Well-known Western artist and woodcarver, Vern Parker    shows his painting of the Colassal Cave "Bandit's Legend to the cave owner Joe Maierhauser.  Parker is best known for his   postcards of his horses and the West, published by Petley Studios, Phoenix, Arizona, in the 50s.  In the late 50s and early 60s, Parker created dioramas and billboards for the cave. (pg. 29).

Recently a renewed interest has risen regarding the Benson newspaper office during the Vern Parker era.  Merrill Bradley, whose parents were the publishers of the San Pedro Valley News inspired the research.  Parker had carved an elaborate sign for the office.  An article was published announcing the installation.  As the years passed, the sign disappeared, the office changed locations, but curiosity motivated our Benson historian, Stan Benjamin, to track down the sign.  It was located at the museum.  Although it was a shadow of its former self, it remains a piece of history.  It is in pieces, the exquisitely carved pieces at the ends are gone.  The newspaper building still exists.  It is now a crafts shop near the end of town.  Another closed chapter of Vern Parker art.    THE SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS “The Voice of the San Pedro Valley” Benson, Cochise County, Arizona Friday, December 1, 1950 Local Craftsman Creates Distinctive Sign for News           The San Pedro Valley News last week hung out a new and distinctive shingle.              Done in an original Mexican setting, the 16 by 4 foot stained sign was created by Vern Parker of Benson.  It bids all who pass: “The San Pedro Valley News  .., The Voice of the San Pedro Valley .. Benson, Cochise County, Arizona.  Arizona Veteran News.”             Parker, who only recently arrived in Benson from Santa Barbara, Calif., worked with only a handful of simple tools in fashioning the sign.  He carves from pencil and water color sketches of animals and western scenes taken from life.             His art is found at many cattle and horse ranches all over the country, and he said he believed he was the only craftsman in the nation who does not used power-driven tools.  Parker has never solicited work.  Prominent ranchers have sought him out, however, and requested that he create distinctive signs for their ranches.             Lowell Thomas, noted radio commentator, and Red Foley of “Grand Old Opry” fame also are owners of articles fashioned by the craftsman.  Another of his sculptured designs was on display by the Department of Interior at Washington for a time.  It was carved entirely from red wood and depicted a stage coach and horses passing through the hollowed-out redwood in the Mariposa Grove of big trees in California.             He also has worked extensively in other mediums, including oils.  His murals are on the walls of two grade school buildings in Tampa, Fla.  They cover approximately 30,000 square feet.             Parker, son of a wagonmaker, has spent nearly an entire lifetime on his craft.  He studied handcarving of wood under able teachers and now devotes from six to eight hours a day on the job.       The newspaper office during the 50s, located at 5th Street, near Land.  It remained at that location until 1983 when it was purchased by a man name Jans and a new building was built at another location.  The original building was a barracks building brought from the army base at Fort Huachuca.  The photo to the left shows it as it is today.  The sign as it is today, in its final resting place, San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society.  Note the missing carved end pieces. About the time we were busy researching the newspaper sign, Stan sent me this curious email:  "Did Vern Parker paint cows?" Hello again,  here is a picture I located showing the inside of a food store.  I recall that Vern Parker painted some pictures in a grocery store.  This is why I asked you about cows.   The building today and has been for many years an auto parts store.  I will try and get in the building and see if they will let me look around.   Stan       Store owners, De Rossier & Logan                          The Food Center, 1955  Stan's second and informative email:    Hello Joanna,  I came across the attached picture showing the inside of the Benson food center.  I sent you a picture a little while back showing several cows in a painting up on the wall.   I have since found the attached picture.It MAY BE a Vern Parker,  I went to the building that is now an auto parts store.  I explained why I was there and he would not let me look around, he said hehas been in the building for the past 16 years and there are NO paintings orpictures on any of the walls....  I am passing this along just for information.  Stan Also, a confirmation note from Lorene Whaley, whose parents owned the Horseshoe Cafe in the early 50s:  Joanna,  Those are really neat pictures.  I believe those are “Vern Parker” but not positive – I certainly remember those pictures.  Certainly the “Roper” is Vern Parker.  One of the pictures in the Horse Shoe (the large picture with the Stage Coach with running horses) came from the Food Center.  So I know they had “Vern Parker” pictures in the store.  It would make sense that they would all be “Vern Parker”.  Lorene Each time a new discovery appears, it is like another chapter in this on-going, adventurous book!  And, yes, he did paint cows; beautiful long-horned steers as seen in the Odessey.