Picket Post Mansion's Awesome Stone Walkway

Picket Post Mansion has the most magnificent stone walkway along it's western edge. The stone wall was built by many hands in the early 1920's and surrounds the Mansion in a most creative and beautiful manner. The stones were embedded among the rocks on which the Mansion was built. It is believed that Colonel Boyce Thompson brought over a master brick and stone layer from Italy to design and supervise this amazing venture.

As resident volunteer hosts at the Picket Post Mansion of Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, we have been pruning and tugging at the many overgrown vines on the rock wall and accompanying trellises to display the true beauty of the walkway.
We find that there are crevices in the rocks where small cacti have been planted and in one section, a cacti garden was built to enhance the curvature of the wall and add plant life along the walkway. We were delighted to uncover this unique stone garden from the multitude of vines that were covering it.

There are a number 0f small sitting areas along the stone walkway for the frequent pauses of conversation and relaxation that must have occurred with Colonel Thompson and his guests. One sitting area is enhanced with a huge rock water fountain. The water must have fallen down the rocks at least 200 feet from the Mansion floor to the walkway. A grapefruit tree has also been planted near the waterfall to enjoy this shady spot as one sits and cools off. It must of been a very fine way to spend a hot afternoon. Although the waterfall is no longer in use and the grapefruit tree is in need of pruning, there is a quietness in this spot that speaks of times past. As we uncover plants and rocks that have been forsaken , we know that we are bringing new life to an old house and yard that was so superbly put together.

As one gentleman so aptly put it as he gazed at the gardens carved out of rock and the walkways made out of stones "This is the work of human hands, not machines. You can sense their presence and feel the difference."

We are glad that the Arizona State Parks reclaimed this heritage property and plan to bring it back to it's glory. We love having the opportunity of unveiling the plants and rocks as we work on the Picket Post Mansion Walkway.

Picket Post Mansion Discoveries

One of the best things about being the first resident volunteer groundskeeper at Picket Post Mansion is the opportunity to discover delightful beauties under the overgrown vines and bushes.

One day in December while pruning along the west stone wall , I decided to walk to the front of the Mansion and look at the overgrown vines that were streaming down the main entrance. Once there, I was quite surprized when I saw a large ceramic picture embedded in the stone above the front door. As I came closer, I thought I recognized the heads of Mary and Joseph and wondered if this could possibly be a nativity scene.

The next day with long handled pruners that stretch out at least 12 feet, I balanced myself on the front steps of the Mansion and began to cut the vines until a beautiful Nativity Scene appeared. It is believed that this artwork was made in Italy and placed on thePicket Post Mansion wall when it was built by Boyce Thompson in 1928.

I was thrilled to now see what Boyce Thompson had chosen for his entrance and thought what perfect timing to have discovered this spiritual treasure a few days before Christmas.