Clarkdale in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Great Clarkdale Bank Heist

Great Clarkdale Bank Heist Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Great Clarkdale Bank Heist Marker

Inscription.
On Thursday June 21st, 1928, Clarkdale was robbed.
At 11:00 A.M., Willard Forrester and Earl Nelson stopped in front of Clarkdale's Bank of Arizona.
Forrester stepped into the bank and emerged shortly carrying $50,000 dollars. As the pair sped off down the street in the getaway car, the bank manager appeared and began shooting. Just then 70 year old Jim Roberts, Special Officer for the United Verde Copper Company (UVCC) stepped off the curb pulling his Colt six-shooter from his jacket pocket and commenced firing, hitting Forrester in the neck and causing the car to swerve onto the Clarkdale High School sidewalk. After becoming tangled in a power pole guy cable, the car came to a stop. Nelson jumped out and a foot chase commenced for about 60 yards. Nelson was apprehended by bystanders and handcuffed by Officer Roberts.
Thus ended one of Arizona's more colorful bank robberies.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1928.

Location. 34° 46.269′ N, 112° 3.427′ W. Marker is in Clarkdale,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 9th Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Located at the Arizona Copper Art Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 849 Main St, Clarkdale AZ 86324, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Verde Valley

and in the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clark Memorial Clubhouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); United Verde Copper Company Smelter (about 500 feet away); Rocks, Rituals, and Resources (approx. 1.7 miles away); Rich in Minerals (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Pueblo's Plaza (approx. 1.7 miles away); Caring for Traces of the Past (approx. 1.7 miles away); Moving On (approx. 1.7 miles away);

Clarkdale Bank Heist Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Clarkdale Bank Heist Marker

Clues in Architecture (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarkdale.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Great Clarkdale Bank Heist Marker

In front of the former high school, now a museum.

Clarkdale High School image. Click for full size.

courtesy Clarkdale Historical Society

4. Clarkdale High School

Today it’s the Arizona Copper Art Museum, and the location of this historical marker.

courtesy Clarkdale Historical Society

5. Pocketwatch

A bystander struck by a bullet was saved by his pocket watch.

Bank of Arizona image. Click for full size.

courtesy Clarkdale Historical Society

6. Bank of Arizona

Prosperous copper operations meant large sums of money regularly passed through town.

Getaway Car: 1927 Chrysler "Model 60" image. Click for full size.

courtesy Clarkdale Historical Society

7. Getaway Car: 1927 Chrysler "Model 60"

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.