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 historic place in Glendale, Arizona. It was started in 1897 by Herbert W. Hamilton. This ranch was famous for growing lots of citrus fruits and dates. Today, all the old buildings on the ranch have been fixed up. The Parks and Recreation Department of Glendale takes care of it.
On April 9, 1998, Manistee Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
The Ranch's Story: A Look Back in Time
How Manistee Ranch Began (1897-1907)
Herbert W. Hamilton was a very rich businessman from Wisconsin. He made his money in the lumber industry. He decided to settle on land in what would become the city of Glendale. This area was perfect 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. The Homestead Act was a special law in the United States. It allowed people to get farmland for free if they promised to live on it and farm it.
By 1897, Mr. Hamilton owned 320 acres of farmland in Glendale. He started a big farm where he planted many citrus orchards and date trees. He 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 square tower with windows on top.
The Sands Family Takes Over (1907-1996)
In 1907, Herbert Hamilton sold the farm to Louis M. Sands. Mr. Sands was from Manistee, Michigan. He was a well-known businessman and rancher in Arizona. He decided to name the farm "Manistee Ranch" after his hometown.
Louis Sands was very smart about farming. He developed special ways to move his cattle around. This helped the land stay healthy and productive. Besides raising cattle, sheep, horses, ducks, and chickens, the farm workers also harvested dates. Back then, dates sold for 25 cents a pound!
The ranch also had over 11 different kinds of palm trees. Some of these palm trees are still there today. They are more than 100 years old!
Manistee Ranch: A National Historic Place
Over time, most of the ranch land was sold to people who wanted to build houses. Only four acres of the original farm remained. The Sands family continued to own these four acres until 1996. Then, they decided to sell the land to the Glendale Historical Society.
The Glendale Historical Society worked hard to fix up the old buildings. These include the main house, a garage, an office, and a barn. In the basement of the main house, you can see old photographs. There are also items from Glendale's early 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.
Pictures of Manistee Ranch's 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
