THE *POSSIBLY* CLEVER HISTORY OF

HOW A REPUTED HORSE THIEF AND VAGABOND INSPIRED WICKENBURG RANCH’S FEATURE DINING EXPERIENCE

BY BEN KEILHOLTZ

Larry McMurtry is perhaps our country’s most respected and prolific chronicler of the American West. His novels underpin the canon of ranch and frontier culture, and his knack for deep, rich, and relatable storytelling are what defined the novelist’s 60-plus year career as a writer. McMurty is perhaps best known for his novels that became feature films – Hud, Terms of Endearment, and The Last Picture Show. However, where McMurtry really shined was in his sprawling multi-volume epics, most notably the iconic Lonesome Dove series. We’ll get back to that in a second.

When Trilogy® first began its work on what would become Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch and the accompanying Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, the design team knew adopting western inspiration would be an unforgiving tight rope act. Lean too far one way, and you’re city-slickin’. Lean too far another, you’re a rhinestone cowboy. Trilogy wanted to honor the heritage of the West, but do so in a way that still felt modern and new. For those Members who experience the final product today, it’s clear the challenge was met. The contemporary western design has been incredibly well received.

What has particularly stood out to both Members and guests at Wickenburg Ranch is the dining experience provided at the community’s feature dining venue, Jake’s Spoon. But who was Jake? And where did he get his spoon? Well, let’s reintroduce our literary legend Mr. McMurtry and how his renowned character-building led to the restaurant’s unique name. In his famous Lonesome Dove series (which included, in order of publishing,

Lonesome Dove, Comanche Moon, Streets of Laredo, and Dead Man’s Walk), a central character in all but Dead Man’s Walk is Jake Spoon. A friend to many but an enemy to more, Jake’s arc is central to the storyline, and one that is particularly compelling to most readers and viewers.

So, what makes Jake so interesting? The mystique of the American West should get the credit. Jake loved all the things that people love to mythologize in our frontier history – exploring the open range, dispensing vigilante justice, gambling at the tables, chasing the ladies who were few and far between. At his best of times, he embodied a heritage many of us have come to revere fondly. At his worst, he fell victim to what many of us fear in life – impatience, isolation, desperation, and flawed judgment.

The mystique of the American West should also receive credit for getting Jake’s name on the front of the restaurant. Granted, “spoon” is a handy surname when it comes to identifying a dining space. The hope was those in the know would recognize the name and the homage to McMurtry. But ultimately, the team who developed the name felt the reference was the perfect way to walk the tight rope. It’s western without being cheesy. It acknowledges the good, the bad, and even some of the ugly of our frontier heritage. And, perhaps most importantly, it sticks in your memory like a good meal to your ribs.

Jake’s Spoon. A name with a story decades in the making. n