Near Oracle in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
La Casa Del High Jinks
National Register of Historic Places
— Historic Site —
On this site on April 14, 1912, Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody – Pony Express rider, plainsman, Indian Wars scout, and Wild West showman – staked the High Jinks gold mine, after investing in Oracle mining for ten years. He sometimes stayed and entertained at a cabin here until his death in 1917.
In the 1920s, Mexican stonemasons helped Cody's foster son Lewis H. "Johnny" Baker, wife Olive Burgess Baker, her sister Marie Burgess Way and husband Forest Ranger Lewis Claude Way build this unique house. Buffalo Bill memorabilia graced La Casa del High Jinks until its sale in 1945.
E. Dean Prichard – writer, horseman, environmentalist, purchased High Jinks in 1975 and spent 20 years restoring it. He routed the Arizona Trail off Oracle Ridge to link High Jinks, the American Flag Historic Site and Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education so all could enjoy this magical place, which was his life.
The United States Department of the Interior listed High Jinks in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Erected by The Oracle Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2005.
Location. 32° 34.286′ N, 110° 44.303′ W. Marker is near Oracle, Arizona, in Pinal County. Marker can be reached from South Highjinks Road, 0.7 miles north of Campo Bonito Road. Marker is at the end of Highjinks Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oracle AZ 85623, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. American Flag (approx. 1.2 miles away); Acadia Ranch (approx. 3.1 miles away); All Saint's Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); Lemmon Rock Lookout Tower (approx. 9.9 miles away); The San Pedro River Valley (approx. 12.2 miles away); Honorable Frank Harris Hitchcock (approx. 14.1 miles away).
Also see . . . La Casa del High Jinks. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.