So, what's the deal about the monument? First off, if you've looked elsewhere on the internet for information, I can state with assurance that what you read is probably wrong. If it conflicts with any of the following, it is definitely wrong. How do I know? I went there several times to check it out for myself, took notes, and built this site.

First, location: The monument itself is between mile marker 115 and 116 on Pinal Pioneer Parkway, between Oracle and Florance. That's about 50 miles north of Tucson, 20 miles south of Florence.  It's about 20 miles north of the junction of SR77 and SR79, and about 1/4 mile north of the 'Tom Mix Wash.' Anything else you might hear, read, or see is wrong. Either that, or someone's moved the monument since 24 August 2002.

Second, the plaque on the monument reads (verbatim):

TOM MIX

THE OLD WEST IN THE MINDS OF LIVING MEN.

Third, the monument was dedicated on December 5, 1947. It was also rededicated July 19, 1980, and again on February 19, 1994. I publically want to thank the helpful staff at the Arizona Historical Society Research Library for helping me uncover these bits of trivia. Even seven years after his death, the respect for Tom was such that 300 people attended the dedication, including Gene Autrey. The following article is from the Arizona Daily Star, December 6, 1947. Although the picture is very dark, it is possible to see the outline of the monument.

Finally, what's the monument like today? Pretty much unchanged, I would guess. You might read that the riderless horse is riddled with bullet holes, but that's not true either. When I was out there there was just one hole. I wouldn't really call that riddled, would you? Now, I have read that the the riderless icon of Tony the Wonder Horse has been stolen several times over the years, now whoever does that surely wouldn't come close to filling Tom's boots.  So, after all these years, how is Tom remembered? That's up next, just click Next to find out.