On November 10, Hartley’s General Store was dedicated to its generous benefactors, Ruth and Hartley Barker (whose funds were matched by the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society to make the general store a reality). Hartley’s General Store was an interior reconfiguration of the historic Aguila, Arizona train depot 146 and featured hand-dipped ice cream, gourmet coffees, other food items and a gift shop offering a variety of railroad souvenirs. In addition to the Bil Keane “Family Circus” cartoon mural, the station store also featured an operational “G” scale railroad — suspended from the ceiling and circling the store — that was created by railroad park staff.
Nationally-syndicated cartoonist and Paradise Valley resident Bil Keane, creator of “Family Circus,” created and donated a mural – depicting characters Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, PG and mom and dad enjoying the park’s attractions and reflecting on a tasty treat – during Railfair ’99 October 9-10. The mural was displayed in the new Hartley’s General Store. (See Below)
A bronze statue commemorating “Family Circus” cartoonist Bil Keane, a 50-year resident of Paradise Valley until his death in 2011, was dedicated at the park in November. The statue was designed by Keane’s sons Jeff and Glen and placed in a ramada. “Giddy-up Daddy” was constructed by Bronzesmith Fine Art Fountry & Gallery of Prescott, AZ.
