Cowboy Memorial

THE AUTHORITATIVE MUSEUM ABOUT
THE REAL AMERICAN COWBOY
A "hands on" museum, the mission of the
Cowboy Memorial
is to preserve and teach the heritage of the
true American Cowboy, the unsung hero in history.

wild hoses

As stated by founder Paul de Fonville,
"In a hundred years, it (cowboy memorial) may be the only thing left to show people
what it was really like, and who actually built the West as we know it today."

Establishment of the Museum and Library is a
commemoration of the life styles that won the West.

It is the dream of Paul de Fonville, himself a
long-time cowboy, former rodeo performer,
national and state working western champion.

The Cowboy Memorial is an educational,
tax exempt, non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation
with provisions to preserve its function as a
national educational resource for the
American people.

VISITOR ACTIVITIES

There are hiking trails and sites dedicated to Native Americans,
Mountain Men and early Explorers and Settlers.

There's even an authentic Cowboy Bunkhouse
and a Chuck Wagon more than 120 years old.

In addition to the Museum, a campground and horse corrals are available to visitors.
Exhibits presently available to visitors are housed in several huge trailers.
The trailers contain branding irons by the hundreds, saddles and tack,
photos of famous cowboys, paintings by western artists and other memorabilia.

HISTORIC WALKER BASIN

Once the scene of Gold Rush days, sod busters, cattle barons, miners, sheepherders,
and ranches of 50,000 acres or more, beautiful Walker Basin is still a unique natural sanctuary
of rolling hills, pines, oak and meadows. Walker Basin adjoins and is protected by Sequoia National Forest,
and boasts a mild, four season smog free climate. Approximately 4,000 feet altitude.
Walker Basin is home to the 400 acre Cowboy Memorial.

TRAILS
There are ten miles of hiking trails, including one to the top of a nearby mountain.
Many hiking trails lead into Sequoia National Forest.
Trails lead to Indian sites, Outriders area, Ancient Rock House,
Spring I, Spring II, The Cairn and the Mountain Man site.
Children will enjoy viewing the TeePee and imagining cowboy and indian adventures.
miles of walking trails

OPEN RANGE
The Cowboy Memorial is surrounded by "open range" (no fences required),
a land use that is disappearing all to rapidly in today's world.
Cattle are able to roam at will, and have equal rights on the highway.
It is a common sight to see a cowboy on horseback herding cattle along the road.
The local scenery is magnificent, with towering walls, waterfalls (in season),
and open country suitable for camping, hiking, and trail riding. You will enjoy
a new sense of freedom while driving through this unique cattle country.

GUEST BOOK
The Guest Book at the Cowboy Memorial bears the signatures of thousands of visitors,
including many from foreign countries. Europeans, in particular, have a great interest
in the American West and it's foremost representative, the American Cowboy.
Interviews with Paul de Fonville (founder) and articles about the Cowboy Memorial,
have appeared in both French and German publications.
Representatives from Europe have visited Paul personally to gain first hand
information about the Cowboy Memorial and about Cowboys.

guest book

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
For many years Paul de Fonville has hosted school classes or visited students in their school rooms.
He has spoken on the American Cowboy, and inspired young people with true stories
(not movie versions) of what the West was really like, and how the genuine cowboy lived his life.
Paul has addressed Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, and other community organizations.
Videos and DVD's about the Cowboy Memorial are available at the museum.
educational tour

PAUL DE FONVILLE

This museum is the brain child, dream and the "magnificent obsession"
of Paul de Fonville and his wife Virginia. Paul experienced the cowboys
life first hand, being brought up on a working ranch. Pauls life has uniquely
qualified him to promote his obsession, which is to preserve and pass on
the history of the American cowboy. To this end he purchased a large spread
in Walker Basin, California, "cow country".
In 1980 this became the site of the Cowboy Memorial.

In his youth he was a rodeo rider, an early participant in what is now the
"PRCA" (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association".
He was a "calf roper". Later he acted in many western movies.
Paul is Gold Card Holder (#480) among the "Turtles",
the Founders of the Rodeo World.
He was "Marshall of the Working Western" in the 1980 Pasadena Rose Parade,
and also rode in the 1978 and 1979 Rose Parades.
Paul has received recognition from both Presidents Reagan and
elder George Bush for his many achievements related to Cowboy Life.

Paul believes that the modern world is fast forgetting the history of a
group of brave and strong men who fostered the development of cattle ranches.
Life was very difficult, and the cowboys life span was short.
Yet, these men persevered under conditions that most of us today
would find unbelievable. Soon it will be to late to preserve the true history of
these courageous Americans of all backgrounds.

~ Bring your tent, bedroll, cowboy or cowgirl hat, cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, horse, friends and family ~
~ 100 acre Campground . Corrals . Trails . Water . Tour the Museum ~

"Walker Basin is Very pretty country and we were all enjoying the ride, as we came around a corner. Much to our surprise, there were long horn cattle in the road - and I mean long horn cattle. I found it a bit unnerving; luckily they were mild mannered beast."

"Fittingly enough we next found ourselves at the Cowboy Memorial in Walker Basin. Which is run by a fellow none of us will ever forget "Paul De Fonville? Let me tell you, Mr. Fonville takes the subject of Cowboy history very seriously!! He is the real deal and he is going to tell you and show you all about the harsh lives they endured. Its best I believe to not stop by unless you have the time, because has I said. Once you're in his place Paul's got ya, and your going to stop, sit down and listen - Hear That Partner!! It was quite the experience and most got a real kick out of it. We had lunch there and the sandwiches were quite good. Next we were all brought into Paul's little trailer for a film presentation on Cowboy life and Paul's efforts to preserve the history of how the Cowboys finalized America. The SoCal Chapter shatters yet another record, as Paul told us that was the most people ever in his trailer at one time. First we have the most motorcycles ever on an AMCA run at Borrego and now this, the records just keep falling - stick with us kids! Paul has multiple trailers full of Cowboy memorabilia and is an authority on it all, he and his wife Virginia have dedicated their lives to keeping that memory alive. In today's world I am afraid they have no easy task ahead of them. We would probably still be there, as Paul was going to show us every branding iron he had - some 2000 of them. When we decided we had better run for it, or we might never finish our ride. So just that quick we were back in the saddle, we pulled away as Mr. Paul De Fonville was telling us that we were leaving as a ship without a rudder. But alas we had to keep moving, we found the Memorial interesting and Paul unforgettable and its all become part of another fond memory of our club get together.