Florence, Arizona

Tom Mix Monument

At an isolated roadside rest area stands a monument marking where famous Western star Tom Mix died in 1940.

Situated midway between Florence and Oracle Junction, Arizona, deep in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, is a remote roadside park containing a monument to cowboy, actor, and Western star Tom Mix.

About a 100 yards or so to the south of the marker, on October 12, 1940, Mix wrecked his Cord automobile in the nearby wash while driving at a high speed.The crash cost him his life, though accounts from the time vary as to the exact cause of his death.

Mix’s fans were heartbroken, and decided to erect a monument to their beloved star. Ever since, this monument has caught the eye of motorists passing by on Arizona State Highway 79; there’s even a geocache placed at the site in the Western star’s honor.

One of the covered picnic tables next to the monument displays memorabilia about Mix, copies of newspaper accounts of his death, and a register for guests to sign. Just down the road (to the south), the desert wash where Mr. Mix died is aptly named Tom Mix Wash.

Know Before You Go

The monument and roadside park is located on the west side of Arizona State Highway 79 (a.k.a. Pinal Pioneer Parkway) between mile markers 115 and 116.