Arizona, Pinal County, near Oracle
![]()
On this site on April 14, 1912, Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody – Pony Express rider, plainsman, Indian Wars scout, and Wild West showman – staked the High Jinks gold mine, after investing in Oracle mining for ten years. He sometimes stayed and entertained at a cabin here until his death in 1917.
In the 1920s, Mexican stonemasons helped Cody's foster son Lewis H. "Johnny" Baker, wife Olive Burgess Baker, her sister Marie Burgess Way and husband Forest Ranger Lewis Claude Way build this unique house. Buffalo Bill memorabilia graced La Casa del High Jinks until its sale in 1945.
E. Dean Prichard – writer, horseman, environmentalist, purchased High Jinks in 1975 and spent 20 years restoring it. He routed the Arizona Trail off Oracle Ridge to link High Jinks, the American Flag Historic Site and Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education so all could enjoy this magical place, which was his life.
The United States Department of the Interior listed High Jinks in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
(Entertainment • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 8 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
On this site on April 14, 1912, Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody – Pony Express rider, plainsman, Indian Wars scout, and Wild West showman – staked the High Jinks gold mine, after investing in Oracle mining for ten years. He sometimes stayed and entertained at a cabin here until his death in 1917.
In the 1920s, Mexican stonemasons helped Cody's foster son Lewis H. "Johnny" Baker, wife Olive Burgess Baker, her sister Marie Burgess Way and husband Forest Ranger Lewis Claude Way build this unique house. Buffalo Bill memorabilia graced La Casa del High Jinks until its sale in 1945.
E. Dean Prichard – writer, horseman, environmentalist, purchased High Jinks in 1975 and spent 20 years restoring it. He routed the Arizona Trail off Oracle Ridge to link High Jinks, the American Flag Historic Site and Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education so all could enjoy this magical place, which was his life.
The United States Department of the Interior listed High Jinks in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
(Entertainment • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 8 photos, GPS coordinates, map.