If you’re looking for a unique, fun, and educational activity to take part in now that the weather is more temperate, consider visiting a historic ranch in Southern Arizona. These historic ranches have been in operation for between 50-150 years, and have spent those years serving Arizona’s residents, workers, and animals. Here’s a look at a few historic ranches you can visit in Southern Arizona to learn more about the history of our area, experience a day in the life of a working ranch, and take classes in science, nature, folk arts, ranch skills and traditions, and land conservation efforts.
Brown Canyon Ranch
Brown Canyon Ranch in Hereford, AZ has been occupied by working ranchers since the early 1800s. It is protected by the existence of an endangered species of frog, located in a pond behind the house. The land is part of the Coronado National Forest and maintained by the Friends of Brown Canyon Ranch. Brown Canyon Ranch now hosts a Western Heritage Educational Program for school children in September and October to motivate curiosity, interest, enrichment of knowledge and participation. You can visit the ranch and ranch building to get a sense of what life was like in the early 1900s.
Canoa Ranch
Canoa Ranch was a cattle ranch in what is now Green Valley, AZ between 1820-1970. It was originally owned by Tomas and Ignacio Ortiz, and was 17,000 acres large. It changed hands many times, being purchased by Thomas Dricsoll and Frederick Maish in 1876, and Levi Manning in 1912. The Manning family lived on the ranch until 1953, at which point they began selling off parcels of land. Canoa Ranch is now part of the Pima County Parks and Recreation Program and has been preserved largely through the efforts of Representative Raul Grijalva. Canoa Ranch is now a historic park that is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. It contains Canoa Lake, a cienega, a pollinator garden, and the Anza Trail.
Empire Ranch
Empire Ranch was established in Sonoita, AZ in the 1860s as a 160 acre homestead. It was later used by Edward Nye Fish and his family. Fish was an early Tucson pioneer and a successful businessman. Empire Ranch was later purchased by Walter Vail, for whom the town of Vail, AZ is named. Vail never made the ranch his home, but did expand it to over 100,000 acres. Empire Ranch now hosts many fun, family-friendly events and docent-led tours year-round, including a special event every year on July 22 for National Day of the Cowboy, and a special Christmas event every December. The Ranch also hosts youth education programs and volunteer work days to sustain the beauty and safety of the Ranch. You can take a self-guided walking tour, trail ride, or docent-led tour or organize a group event.
John Slaughter Ranch
The John Slaughter Ranch, also known as Rancho San Bernardino, is now a museum in Douglas, AZ that is dedicated to the life of Texas John Slaughter. Slaughter acted as the sheriff in Cochise County between 1886-1890 and was credited for cleaning up the area after the departure of the Earps. The Ranch initially was acquired by Slaughter in 1884 and was 65,000 acres. It was later expanded to 100,000 acres. Now, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 am and 3:30 pm, with a $5 admission fee for adults and free admission for children. You can enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and ambience of a historic ranch that once housed one of the Southwest’s most beloved and feared lawmen.
White Stallion Ranch
White Stallion Ranch was built in the 1900s in Tucson, AZ and began as a cattle ranch. It was homesteaded by David Young in 1936 and then bought by Mary Varner in 1949. Varner operated it as a guest ranch and provided long-term rentals to the Marana Army Airfield. The ranch changed hands many times until 1965, when Cynthia and Allen True arrived from Colorado and made the ranch their home. Since then, the True family has maintained it as a guest ranch and it now contains 3,000 acres, containing 43 guest rooms, a 5-bedroom hacienda, tennis courts, a movie theater, a pool and hot tub, and a spa and fitness center. They have established one of the largest privately owned herd of horses in Arizona, as well as a large herd of cattle.
Ready to Move to Southern Arizona? Contact Castle & Cooke Today
At Castle & Cooke, we have been part of the Arizona community since our founding in 1851 as a general store. We continue to serve the Arizona community we love so much by designing and building unique homes and communities throughout Sierra Vista and the surrounding areas. We believe that there is the perfect home available for every family in Sierra Vista, Chaparral Village North, Holiday, and the Oaks. To learn more about our thoughtfully-designed homes and see the properties we have available, call us today at (520) 441-8580 or contact us online.