The Girl of the Golden West
This photogr
aph of my grandmother, “Nana,” of prolific postcard mailing fame, was probably taken in the early 1930s in Wickensburg when she was in her early twenties. As a young adult she traveled from the East for several winters to a dude ranch to enjoy the semi tropical climate of the high desert.
She referred to the place where she stayed as “Wickenburg Ranch,” so I’m inclined to think that of the three possibilities in 1930 that it was the Bar Fx Ranch. (Doesn’t it sound more like a place George Lucas would make movies?) The home of the town’s founder, Henry Wickenburg, discoverer of the Vulture Gold Mine, was originally on this particular cattle ranch’s property.
“Nana” had not yet met my grandfather. Most of what else I know is speculation. She probably went with her mother and perhaps, a best childhood friend. The trip may have been motivated by someone’s ill health. Sometimes guests would arrive by two seater planes that would land in the soft dry river bed, but most likely my grandmother and her party traveled by train. According to a current day brochure, guests were met at the Wickenburg train station in a Packard touring car with the ranch brand on the radiator cap.
Collection 1507: Frank Jay Haynes Family Photographs and Papers, 1866-1969
I found the above photograph on Flikr. It was labeled “Dudes with Horses and a 1929 Packard.” Doesn’t say exactly where in the West it was taken. Clearly, it pretty much screamed to be shared.
The only thing I know for sure is that my grandmother totally rocked the wardrobe. Her custom-made suede leather cowgirl outfit was the stuff of legends – at least to me. The matching vest and Stetson hat aren’t in my photograph, but I know they existed because she blessed me with their presence on several occasions over the years. Whenever my grandfather heard her whispering to me of handsome young cowboys and painted deserts, with gentlemanly, light humor he’d refer to her for the rest of the day as “my girl of the golden West.”
Once when I was a young adult, Nana reluctantly loaned her prized western wear to me to don at a costume party. I never saw where she stored it, but I’ve always imagined it to be carefully wrapped in tissue and cedar and tucked under her bed. The party, at a generic apartment complex clubhouse, was some sad thing from the perspective of the outfit’s history.
Looking back, I wish I never returned it. I know it was very important to her that she wanted it back so promptly, but the fact is I never saw it again. I’m pretty sure she would have gotten over it and still loved me. And I know she wouldn’t have wanted it’s closing act to be at a keg party. If I ever find the picture from that party where I could only pretend to be the “girl of the golden West,” for a couple of hours, I’ll let you know.
I bought my first historic postcard today of a dude ranch in Wickenburg from 1930. I figured that I found one so easily of a dude ranch that is of the same ranch where my grandmother most likely stayed was appropriate. If that does not fly with my husband, I’ll blame Marie’s Postcard Friendship Friday, and the fact that I can use a new respectable and legal obsession. Besides, a “girl of the golden beach” could do a lot worse things on Ebay.
And now that I’ve crossed over, you can be sure I’ll share my new old postcard with you soon!
I love that picture. I love history and looking at pictures from the past.
That western wear is pretty cool too.
Howdy
What a thrilling story .
This is yet another reason why I love postcard friendship Friday
Thank you so much for sharing this card and your Nana today.
Happy PFF to you .
You made my day !
Have a fabulous weekend.
Happy Trails
Your anecdote about borrowing your granma's treasured western outfit was told beautifully. Thanks for sharing your photos and memories. And next week we do hope to see the postcard.
Especially now, I think, we all yearn for a few more trips down our Grandmother's memory lane.
I have about ten gazillion gorgeous, hand-embroidered cashmere sweaters. They were all sewn by my great aunts, at a time when women's upper torsos were no bigger than a cat's.
But I digress.
As WhisperingWriter said, thanks for the "history" and "pictures from the past." We need to seem them, we need to be reminded.
Thank you for sharing this interesting story and postcard. Happy PFF.
How interesting! I wish I had more stories…
WOOOOOW! I'm weak at the knees… swooning…What a Nana! She certainly was a girl of the golden West.. somebody pinch me!
I cannot tell you how MUCH I loved this picture, this fanciful post about your grandmother. It is special beyond words, really. How sad that you didn't come to own the special outfit. But it seems fitting somehow that it has gone to the ether where dreams are made.
Congrats on your eBay postcard purchase, and a dandy one it seems. Isn't it fun to find and buy them? Great stuff!
Your grandmother looks so beautiful, and at the same time quite a character. Great story, thank you!
OMG, what a fantastic western skirt! Thanks so much for the telling of your Nana being the girl of the golden west… she's lovely.
Thanks for the interesting post. That's an awesome cowgirl outfit.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. and the photos added so much to it. It's always so nice to have memories to tell everyone else. Happy Trails
Aloha
Neat stuff …
Love the story. Surely someone in the family must know what became of the outfit. They probably have it hidden!
How romantic! How sad! I wonder where the outfit is….a Life in the Short Lane mystery!!!!!!!
Too bad you were not able to retrieve the outfit!! Very sad. Her clothing was definitely a keeper.
Did an evil relative procure the clothes???
That is so amazing. Your Nana rocks!
WOW!!!! These are awesome, love the girl of the golden West.
debby
Well, I certainly loved the story of your Nana, the old west, the desert, the outfit and the memories – kegger and all. Thank you
You put a real big smile on my face today.
Your Nana was so pretty. The outfit is adorable. I wish you had kept it too. Remember how everything western was so popular in the 80s? I was really into that. I miss the 80s. We a had great President and the economy was good. [sigh] Anyway, loved the story. Now you're the "golden girl of South Carolina". [giggle] Happy PFF!
) xx