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The Horseshoe Café
Benson, Arizona
Vern Parker was located in Benson from about the mid 50’s to the late 60’s. There is in Benson a café that holds a wealth of his art.
The Horseshoe Café is a family-owned restaurant that dates back to the 30’s. Lorene Whaley and her husband, Bill, are present owners of the café. Lorene is the grand daughter of the original owners. When it was decided to restore the café, the front siding was removed, and revealed paintings of Vern Parker, remarkably preserved from the elements, still vivid and stunning in color.
 
  
Inside the café, the walls are graced with extraordinary paintings of his favorite model; horses, colorful and detailed, depicting them as is customary to the Parker style, in the western prairie and vast landscapes. It seems the counter was at one time in the shape of a horseshoe, but one side was taken out to make a side room.
 
Elegant Brown Arabian Horse in a Lasso Frame Rugged Quarterhorse in a Lasso Frame
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Appaloosa Grazing in the Valley Pastoral Scene of Mare with Her Colts
Palomino Stallion with a Mare & Her Colt
One amazing discovery is the original “Black Velvet,”
a favorite of the postcards that had been produced from Parker’s paintings.
Lorene had said that the Butterfield Stagecoach had been painted on a wall in in her family's grocery store "The Food Center." Her mother, Irma Zedaker had the painting cut out of the wall, although it was on plaster, had it framed and brought it to the Horseshoe Café. It is a replica of the famous mural that is now on display at the Community Building in Hugo, Colorado. The grocery store became an auto parts store - probably back in the 1960's.
My friend, Linda Surmacewicz, who graciously supplied me with these pictures, said, “I discovered another Vern Parker painting
from the Horseshoe Cafe. Last time we were there the waitress mentioned to me that there was an image in the back area of the
restaurant that wasn't in the same shape as the others. She said she would take a picture of it for me so I gave her my camera.”
It was an incredible painting of a cowboy on a reared horse that covered the entire wall of a back room. A portion of it had been
destroyed during a remodeling, but it appears that at some time, it stretched from ceiling to floor, and wall to wall. It would be my
guess that this marvelous painting was inspired by the late Hugh Bennett, famous cowboy and rodeo star who lived
in Colorado Springs. Parker had done some carving for him in the early 50's.
 
Postcards from the Horseshoe Cafe:
Interior of Horseshoe Cafe, Benson, Arizona (Prior to 1958, notice blank walls, missing the Vern Parker Art. )
At the Junction of Highway 80 and 86, operates 24 Hours a day. It is noted for a fine menu and fast service for travelers. |
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Interior of Horseshoe Cafe, Benson, Arizona (1958, now famous for the Vern Parker Art. ) Murals and paintings now decorate the once bare walls.
At the Junction of Highway 80 and 86, operates 24 Hours a day. It is noted for a fine menu and fast service for travelers. | |
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A short time later, another message from Linda; "We went to Benson yesterday afternoon and I discovered another building that has
Vern Parker artwork. This place is a bar called the River Side Inn. I've seen this place before, it's right next to the Ford dealer, and
I liked the artwork but I didn't think that it was actually painted by Vern Parker because the images look too simple. While we were
having our truck serviced, we went into the bar. The woman working there told us that, Yes, Vern Parker had painted the outside of
the bar and that the image was restored. She said that for years the building had a brick front and the owner had the brick removed
and the painting restored. That's why it looks like a Vern Parker but is different, more simple. " (In my humble opinion,
the painting had not been restored, more like defaced. However, it is verified as Vern Parker's art, and therefore, respected.)
"Better yet, behind the bar is a Vern Parker wood carving. It is a long carving that has Indian pueblo type buildings carved into it and
windows cut out with lights behind each window. Then on each end is a large piece of wood that has paintings of a cowboy on a rearing
palomino. Very Nice! "
   
 
As more discoveries unfold, we will continue to add them, it seems there is always an exciting road to take as we follow the steps of
Vern Parker.
Joanna Parker Hagman
Since the publication of this page, the Horseshoe Cafe has since closed indefinitely, and the future of this valuable and irreplaceable art is unknown. Further developments will be published.
As of August, 2009, the Horseshoe Cafe is opened under new management. The art remains the same, and some Vern Parker art is available for sale.
News Article on the Horseshoe Cafe
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