Nebeker Sculpture Mounted on SR 89 Roundabout

The cowboy may be looking the wrong direction to see the buck deer in hiding, but his horse misses nothing.
Drivers in and out of Prescott, however, can see it all at the intersection of Deep Well Ranch Road with state Route 89. The bronze sculpture — the largest renowned Western artist Bill Nebeker ever created — is mounted high on a roundabout and visible from all directions.
When the 6-ton “If Horses Could Talk” sculpture was being hoisted by a large crane into place atop its concrete pad, Prescott resident Nebeker and his wife Merry stood nervously by, watching every twist and turn as the piece was being lowered.
“It was nerve-wracking for both of us,” Merry said. “The cranes had to be extended so high that the airport required we put a warning flag on its tip to alert aircraft of its presence.”
Bill echoed Merry: “Our hearts were pounding as the crane lifted the sculpture from the flatbed semi into the air to swing it over to the mounting pad.” 
When it was done, both Bill and Merry thanked all of those present for attending the Aug. 9 installation of Nebeker’s latest statue.
The Nebekers especially thanked Ed Reilly and his colleagues at Bronzesmith Foundry in Prescott Valley for their support in helping him cast the sculpture. He also praised their careful efforts in transporting and then installing the massive piece atop the roundabout.
Among those present were Ron and Laura James, whose family trust helped fund creation of the sculpture. Ron James said that morning, “We’re so happy to see Bill’s creation welcome people at this north entrance into the city. We’ll soon have the entire roundabout landscape appropriately, with a large descriptive plaque telling about its history.” 
Prescott Mayor Pro Tem Billie Orr thanked the James family for its support. She also thanked the Prescott Area Arts Trust for its support. 
Orr noted that while the roundabout is the property of Arizona Department of Transportation, it will be maintained by the City of Prescott.
Photo: Bill and Merry Nebeker as they waited for the crane to hoist the massive statue.