Lon Megargee

Lon Megargee was a renowned Western artist known for his vibrant depictions of cowboy life. At just 13, he left his privileged home in 1896, heading west in search of adventure. He worked as a cowboy, bronco buster, and poker dealer before studying art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Art Students League, and Pratt Institute.
Returning to Arizona, Megargee settled in various locations, including Phoenix, where his home later became the Hermosa Inn. By 1910, he was one of the state’s most recognized artists, earning acclaim for his murals in the Arizona Capitol after statehood in 1912. His work, Elemental, was the first Arizona-based painting acquired for Phoenix’s Municipal Collection. Megargee created commissioned works for the Santa Fe Railroad and the Arizona Brewing Company, blending humor and realism. His legacy endures, with Cowboy’s Dream featured in The Saturday Evening Post after his passing