Pinal County Historical Museum

Reviews

1. TravelGal

   Take a step back in time at the Pinal County Historical Museum

   ‘Okay’ rating Posted over 3 years ago

   Your trip to Florence would not be complete with out stopping in and browsing at the Pinal County Historical Museum. A not-for-profit organization admissions by donation, well worth a generous offering.
   The Pinal County Historical Society Library and Museum affords the visitor opportunities to view artifacts as well as research Pinal County area history and people. They have outstanding Indian exhibits, and extensive bullet and barbed wire collection and an outdoor display of antique farm machinary, blacksmith shop, 1928 pioneer cabin and old fire engines.
   The museum also houses the archives for the Arizona State Prison in Florence. Of particular interest are the 28 actual nooses used for hangings at the prison. The double execution chair, used for the first gas chamber execution in Arizona, is also on display. View lists of death row prisoners last meal requests.
   The Historical Society has a collection of Tom Mix memorabilia and information about his life and death. Tom Mix was a western film star who was killed in an automobile accident south of Florence in 1940. Other popular items are the 1890’s Saguaro cactus furniture made in Florence and the 1884 square piano. With a recent addition of more pieces of cactus furniture on display. They are just gorgeous!!
   The six shooter classic of the century the gunfight between sherriff Peter Gabriel and his ex-deputy Joe Phy, began in a local saloon and ended on Main Street with Phy mortally wounded and Gabriel critically injured. Learn the details of what led up to this shoot-out and see the bullet ridden window from the saloon.
   The Pinal County Historical Society’s library and archives has a non-circulating collection of rare and out-of-print books, documents, letters and photographs about the people, history, flora and fauna of Pinal County and especially Florence, as well as “Arizona Highways” magazines dating back to 1937.
   Florence is a great town to spend the day or stay overnight in. It's no wonder that is was chosen by "True West Magazine" as #4 of the Top Ten True Western Towns of 2009!

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