Rex Allen grew up in Willcox, AZ...and was a hit at the box office as well as in the music studio. the Rex Allen Museum is well worth the visit and while you are there...you should pick up copies of his movies.
Great tribute to a wonderful singer, cowboy, entertainer!Great stop and wonderful that Willcox recognizes Rex Allen as he was proud of his hometown.Loved his music and many of the movies he was in.Lots of cd's available in the gift shop.Small museum but nice & well worth the stop - no charge, just a donation.
My husband was big fan of Rex Allen when he was growing up. Visiting this museum was one of our primary reasons for visiting Willcox. The "entry fee" is really just a $2 or $3 donation. The museum is small but packed with memorabilia. It is clean and well-organized. We arrived just as they were about to close (4:00 p.m.) but they let us in and gave us a personalized tour that lasted well over an hour. Rex and his horse are buried across the street from the museum and there is a beautiful bronze statue of Rex there. We really left with a sense of nostalgia and longing for the "old west".
If you're a Rex Allen fan, or a country music fan, you will love this step back in time. The museum is full of Rex Allen trivia, photos, and outfits boasting beautiful detail. If you're already in Wilcox, why not? Across the tracks from the museum is the home of Henry Hooker, and about a mile from the museum is the Pioneer Cemetery where Warren Earp is buried. You can see all in a short period of time and the price is right!
What a wonderful tribute to a man that never forgot his roots. It takes you from the beginning of his life, the fame he found with music and TV. There is also Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame in the second part of the museum.it pay tribute to the locals in the area cattle industry. Nice gift shop where you can purchase a copy of his movies or music. Rex's son, Rex Allen Jr. has following in his dad's footsteps as a wonderful entertainer. There is a bronze state of Rex across the street which is also where his horse Ko Ko is buried.
For remembering so little about Rex Allen, hubby and I both felt our visit here would be short. Not the case! Not only the well set up museum was well organized and clean, and the docent was very helpful, but it was nostalgic to trace memories back in the days of the singing cowboys. One of the rooms is full of marvelous paintings of hard-working courageous men in the area. An easy to read book was left to peruse, telling of their hardships. The inspiration of these men was definitely impressed and have given great pride to the citizens of Willcox. The BEST of what visitors should see/do in Willcox. Be sure to read the story of Rex's horse, and we were surprised to learn how many years Rex's voice was used in Disney films. A wonderful,humble, loving, caring gentleman. No wonder each year Willcox celebrates Rex Allen Days!!!!
Small and fun, He and his horse are buried acorss the street. Local cowboy hall of fame is housed there as well. Docents are friendly and knowledgeable. Nice diversion for the small town of Willcox.
Made a special trip to see this as I was a fan, as a kid. I wasn't disappointed because along with the memorabilia comes a docent named Sandy. Since I was the only one there at the time she told me great stories about the museum, Rex, and Willcox as she had grown up there. Down the street was a building that hadn't closed its doors in 100 years but sadly the person who owned it died and his kids didn't want it so it was closed. The Rex Allen statue is across the way in a lovely little park. Koko the wonder horse is buried there and Rex had the artist put a bronze heart inside the statue so his heart would be in Willcox.
This museum is a jewel. So many memories of the singing cowboy era to explore. If you are lucky enough to have Gail show you around your day will be complete. I encourage everyone to stop here if you are in the area or just make a special trip. Would hate to see this wonderful display ever disappear form lack of popularity.
I remember my parents liking Rex Allen but I don't really remember much about him. Walking thru the museum it appears he was kind of the Elvis of country. He wore rhinestone suits and appeared in movies as well as a singing career. Very interesting.