COWBOY
MEMORIAL AND LIBRARY
WALKER BASIN, CALIFORNIA
N35.24.14' W118.28.18
661.867.2410
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ~
40371 Cowboy Lane, Walker Basin
Road
Caliente, California 93518
661.867.2410
Cowboy Memorial mad Library
The Cowboy Memorial may be
visited between
10 am and 5 pm (or dusk,
whichever comes first)
Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Easter and Christmas.
Call to schedule a
group tour ~ 661.867.2410
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.
Gifts are tax deductable.
Please support
Cowboy Memorial and Library
We need new American Flags and new
equipment for the
building of your new "Cowtown".
make checks payable to: Cowboy Memorial and Library
snail mail or pony express to:
Cowboy Memorial and Library
40371 Cowboy Lane, Walker Basin Road
Caliente, California 93518
note: include a return address so we my reply with a thank you and tax
deductable reciept.
Thank you,
Paul de Fonville
Founder of Cowboy Memorial and Library and World Class Champion Cowboy !
CowboyMemorial.org
661.867.2410
Cowboy and Cowgirl Links
http://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/
http://www.californiaprorodeo.com/
http://www.wpra.com/
http://www.prorodeo.com/
http://www.iprarodeo.com/
http://www.rodeocanada.com/
excerpts
below are stories from visitors about The Cowboy Memorial and Library.
"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.
As stated by Paul de Fonville, former cowboy and
champion rodeo performer (founder and now president of the Memorial):
"In a hundred years it may be the only thing left to show people what
cowboy life was really like, and who really built the West as we know
it today."
Paul de Fonville rides the range at the Cowboy Memorial
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION. The Museum is the brain child, dream and the
magnificent obsession of Paul de Fonville and his wife Virginia. Paul
experienced the cowboy's life first hand, being brought up on a working
ranch. In his youth he was a rodeo rider, an early participant in what
is now the "PRCA" (Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association). He was a
"calf roper". Paul is Gold Card Holder (#480) and among the "Turtles",
the Founders of the Rodeo World. Later, he acted in many western
movies. He was "Marshal of the Working Western" in the 1980 Pasadena
Rose Parade, and also rode in the 1978 and 1979 Rose Parades.. Paul has
since received recognition from both Presidents Reagan and Bush for his
many achievements related to Cowboy life.
Paul believes that the modern world is fast
exterminating the history of a group of brave and strong men who
fostered the development of cattle ranches"
COWBOY
MEMORIAL AND LIBRARY
www.CowboyMemorial.org
WALKER BASIN, CALIFORNIA
661.867.2410
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©2009