Bates Well Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bates Well Ranch
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Bates Well Ranch bunkhouse
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pima County, Arizona, USA |
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| Nearest city | Ajo, Arizona |
| Built | 1913 |
| Built by | Growler Copper Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000493 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1994 |
The Bates Well Ranch (also known as Juñ Ka:ck in the O'odham language) was an important cattle ranch in Pima County, Arizona. It was one of about fifteen ranches and camps owned by the Gray family. This family ran a large cattle business in the Sonoran Desert, near the US-Mexico border.
The ranch operated for almost 60 years. Today, it is part of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. It helps us understand what ranching life was like in the early 1900s.
Contents
What Was Bates Well Ranch?
The Bates Well Ranch was a key part of the Gray family's cattle business. They managed many ranches across the desert. This ranch was known by several names, including Bates Well, Growler Well, Gray Ranch, and El Veit.
The Ranch House and Its History
The main house at Bates Well Ranch has an interesting story. It was moved to Bates Well in 1942 from the Growler Mine. This was a common practice back then, reusing buildings in new locations.
The house might have started as a cabin for miners. The northern part of the house was likely added after it moved to Bates Well. This shows how people adapted and built things on the frontier.
The Wells and Early Operations
The ranch is named after its wells, which were vital for cattle. The first well might have been dug around 1870 by W.B. Bates. Later, Reuben Daniels dug another well around 1913.
In the early 1900s, there was also an arrastra at the site. An arrastra was a simple machine used to crush ore, like a basic mill. This suggests there might have been some mining activity nearby.
The Gray Family's Role
Robert Louis Gray's son, Henry Gray, played a big part in developing the Bates Well property. He started working on it from 1935 onwards. Henry lived at the ranch until he passed away in 1976.
The Gray family was very important in the region. They controlled almost all the ranching in the area that is now Organ Pipe National Monument. This included many other wells and camps.
Why Bates Well Ranch is Important
The Bates Well property is a great example of a frontier ranch. It shows how ranching worked in the Sonoran Desert during the early 1900s. It gives us a clear picture of what life was like for ranchers.
Ranching operations at Bates Well and the other Gray family properties stopped in 1976. Today, the ranch is preserved as a historic site. It helps visitors learn about the history of the American Southwest.
