What keeps a person chasing a Western mystery for more than four decades? For Bob Boze Bell, it might be the hope of finding the place where Wyatt Earp reportedly shot Curly Bill—or the promise of a good roadside burger along the way.

On this episode of Arizona Roundup, Sharlot Hall Museum Executive Director Stuart Rosebrook visits with Bell, the longtime executive editor of True West magazine, about a life spent exploring and sharing the stories of the American West. Bell’s adventures include dusty roads, historic sites, old photographs, and a memorable family road trip that left his pregnant wife wondering why one visit to the O.K. Corral hadn’t been enough.

The good humor is part of the journey. Bell jokes about his “burning bridges tour” as he steps back from long speaking trips, and admits that after decades of searching for the elusive Curly Bill site, he may finally be ready to let the mystery go. What stays with him most, he says, is not the place itself but the people he met along the way.

That idea connects naturally to Rosebrook’s work at Sharlot Hall Museum. The museum welcomes visitors from near and far to experience Arizona history in person, through exhibits, talks, community gatherings, and hands-on learning. The conversation also considers the importance of community, local journalism, print magazines, and preserving a genuine connection to history in a world increasingly shaped by phones and digital media.

Bell and Rosebrook turn to a timely challenge for anyone who cares about the past: how can people recognize trustworthy historical images and stories when altered and AI-generated material can blur the line between evidence and invention? Their exchange makes the case for careful research, responsible storytelling, and institutions that help keep history grounded.

Through it all, the friends bring affection, curiosity, and plenty of laughter to a conversation about the American West—and the enduring power of the stories we share.

Things to Remember

The people encountered along the way can matter even more than the places we set out to find.

Western history continues to inspire writers, artists, travelers, and communities.

Historical photographs and stories deserve careful research, especially as digital tools make it easier to alter or invent them.

Museums and local publications help keep history connected to real people and places.

Things to Share

Share this episode with someone who loves Western history, books, art, old photographs, road trips, or a good story told among friends. It’s also a reminder to support the people and places that preserve local history.

Things to Take Action On

Plan a visit to Prescott, Arizona, and experience Sharlot Hall Museum for yourself. Explore its exhibits and programs, bring a friend, and support the museum’s work to preserve and share Arizona’s history.

A Closing Invitation

The American West lives on through its stories—and through the people who seek them, tell them, and welcome others into the search. Join Stuart Rosebrook and Bob Boze Bell for this warm, funny, and thoughtful Arizona Roundup, then come discover Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott.