Recently a friend of mine suggested that I visit Gammon's Gulch near Benson, Arizona. After reading positive reviews on Yelp I booked a Saturday tour at 11 pm. I printed off directions from MapQuest and they took me right to the old movie set. The Internet makes it seem like Gammon's Gulch is in Benson but it is actually north of town about 15 miles. When I arrived Jay Gammon's greeted me right away and led me into a building where I waited for the rest of the visitors to arrive. The tour itself was about one hour and interesting. Jay took us into each building and described how he had acquired most of the artifacts on sight. Mr. Gammons told many jokes including some at the expense of liberals and Mr. Obama. He also did not hide his utter contempt for Hollywood. Near the end of the tour Mr. Gammons even played a few songs on piano and banjo. If you visit the Gulch make sure to bring water, food and a hat because there is no restaurant on site. All in all this is an excellent location to spend part of a day and I will be back.
History: Jay Gammons bought property in the 1970s with the sole purpose of creating a vintage 1880s western town. Over the years Mr. Gammons has acquired over 20,000, artifacts from towns throughout Arizona including an old cell door from Tombstone. Over the years numerous actors and actresses have filmed movies at this location. Some of these movies include Illyushin, Three Tickets to Paradise, BlackWood, and Ride the Lightning. Jay Gammons has met and worked with many actors and actresses such as John Wayne and Barbara Streisand. Gammon's Gulch has not turned into an attraction like Tombstone or the Old Tucson so it feels like a true 1880s western town.
This place is fantastic because it's all authentic wild west - buildings & everything. Jay Gammons is hysterical & a character, ALL politics aside, as that part wore thin quickly. I took my father here when he visited last year & he loved all of the movie memorabilia.
ReplyDeleteThe only better attraction charging a fee that I have found in that area is Kartchner Caverns State Park. Thanks for the great write-ups on your explorations!
Thank you. Gammon's Gulch was an excellent place to visit. I agree with Kartchner Caverns as well.
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