William Parker Lyon was a big, colorful character and as intriguing as the collection he amassed at his Pony Express Museum. A man born in the Civil War era, he personified the old rough and ready West. Of large stature, he decked himself out in a ten-gallon hat and wore a heavy gold watch chain on a huge watch. He spoke of his early days and experiences, usually having to do with some humorous incident or adventure. Always the extrovert, Lyon loved to pose for photographs in his rooms at the museum bringing to life some item or artifact at his disposal. Even at age 80, he was ready with a joke to suit the occasion he saw, and never turned an eye from a pretty woman.
It can be said that hundreds of thousands of visitors toured the Pony Express Museum in Arcadia during its 20-year life span and most likely W. Parker Lyon visited with most all of them.
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Carol Libby and Karen Hou
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Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society