Wickenburg’s resting place to be moved to Boetto Park

By Janet DelTufo, Assistant Editor

Cindy Thrasher of the Wickenburg Historical Preservation Society received approval from the Wickenburg Town Council earlier this week to begin the process of moving the grave of Town Founding Father Henry Wickenburg.

The process must begin with four weeks of legal advertising, allowing possible family members to be notified of the movement of Wickenburg’s grave.

The remains of at least four additional individuals are located at the same gravesite, including Henry and Lydia Cowell, James Ouncell and W. Weske. The Society is unsure if any other remains will be found once these graves are moved.

After the legal advertisement runs in both the newspaper and on the Town of Wickenburg’s Web site, the Society will then be required to wait another six months before it can start moving the graves.

“We don’t know yet if a family member is going to come forward and request the remains of any of these individuals,” Thrasher said. “And from what I understand, a family member of Henry Wickenburg can take his remains.”

The graves are expected to be moved to the Wickenburg Boetto House historical property at Boetto Park, located on Washington Street. They are being moved due to deterioration of the hill where they are presently located.

The Society will also need to obtain relocation permits, and it is possible this can be done with the assistance of the Wickenburg Funeral Home or through the town’s attorney.

Wickenburg Funeral Home is already assisting the Society in volunteering to store the remains during the movement process. If necessary, the law firm that represents the town during council meetings said it would offer its time to prepare the permits.

“We can certainly assist,” said attorney Susan Goodwin. “And if it is not in the thousands of dollars, we will donate our time for this cause.”

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