Manistee Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Manistee Ranch
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Main mansion of the Manistee Ranch, built in 1897
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| Location | 5127 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, Arizona |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000322 |
| Added to NRHP | April 9, 1998 |
The Manistee Ranch is a special historical place in Glendale, Arizona. It was started in 1897 by Herbert W. Hamilton. This ranch was famous for its delicious citrus fruits and dates. Today, all the old buildings on the ranch have been fixed up and look great. The Parks and Recreation Department of Glendale takes care of it. The Manistee Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 9, 1998. This means it's an important historical site!
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History of Manistee Ranch
Hamilton's Early Ranch (1897-1907)
Herbert W. Hamilton was a very rich businessman. He came from Wisconsin and made his money selling lumber. He decided to start a farm in what is now Glendale, Arizona. This area became popular for farming because the Arizona Canal was finished in 1885. The canal brought water to over 100,000 acres of desert land. This made it possible for people to start farms there.
The Homestead Act was a United States law. It allowed people to get farmland for free. By 1897, Hamilton owned 320 acres of farmland in Glendale. He planted many citrus orchards and date trees. Hamilton also built a unique home for his family. It was a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian style house. It even had a "Sky Parlor," which was a tall, square tower with windows on top.
Sands Family Takes Over (1907-1996)
In 1907, Hamilton sold his farm to Louis M. Sands. Louis Sands was from Manistee, Michigan. He was a well-known businessman and rancher in Arizona. Sands named the farm "Manistee Ranch" after his hometown.
Louis Sands was smart about farming. He found ways to move his cattle to different pastures. This helped keep the land healthy. Besides raising cattle, sheep, horses, ducks, and chickens, the farm also grew dates. Back then, dates sold for 25 cents a pound! The ranch had over 11 different kinds of palm trees. Some of these palm trees are still there today and are over 100 years old.
Manistee Ranch: A Historic Place
Over time, most of the ranch land was sold. It was bought by people who wanted to build new homes. Only four acres of the original farm remained. The Sands family owned these four acres until 1996. Then, they sold the land to the Glendale Historical Society.
The Glendale Historical Society worked hard to fix up the old buildings. They restored the garage, office, barn, and the main house. Inside the main house, in the basement, you can see old photographs. There are also items from Glendale's old grammar schools. Outside, on the ranch grounds, you can see old farm equipment. This equipment was once used to work the land.
The Manistee Ranch is located at 5127 W. Northern Ave. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 9, 1998. This listing helps protect its history for future generations.
Gallery of Manistee Ranch History
- Historical structures in Manistee Ranch
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Different view of main mansion
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Different view of the Manistee Mansion.
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Main door and entrance of the Manistee Mansion.
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Manistee Ranch Outhouse.
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Garage in the ranch built in 1912
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Farm equipment once used at the ranch
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Palm trees at the ranch, some over 100 years old
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Granary Barn built in 1890
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Manistee Ranch office built in 1924, and used as such by the Sands family, until 1947
- Images of the 19th Century interior furnishings and decorations of the Manistee Main Mansion.
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Fireplace in the living room of the Manistee Mansion.
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Children's room in the Manistee Mansion.
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Main bedroom of the Manistee Mansion.
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Bedroom in the first floor of the Manistee Mansion.
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19th century kitchen of the Manistee Mansion.
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Staircase leading to the second floor of the Manistee Mansion.
See also
