Sahuaro Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Sahuaro Ranch
|
|
Main mansion of the Sahuaro Ranch, built in 1886
|
|
| Location | 9802 North 59th Avenue and Mountain View, Glendale, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Area | 2,000 acres (810 ha) |
| Built | 1886 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000763 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1980 |
Sahuaro Ranch started in 1886. It was founded by William Henry Bartlett from Illinois. This ranch was north of what is now Glendale, Arizona. It grew many fruits like figs, grapes, and alfalfa.
Today, all its old buildings are fixed up. The "Sahuaro Ranch Park" is managed by Glendale's Parks and Recreation Department. On March 7, 1980, Sahuaro Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Ranch History
Early Days: The Bartlett Era (1880-1913)
William Henry Bartlett and his brother were rich businessmen. They came from Peoria, Illinois. They claimed land in the desert. This land later became the city of Glendale. William John Murphy founded Glendale.
A big reason to invest here was the Arizona Canal. It was finished in 1885. This canal helped bring water to 100,000 acres of desert land. This land could then be used for farming. The Homestead Act was a U.S. law. It gave people farmland for free.
The Bartlett brothers saw a great chance to start fruit farms. They owned a business that traded grain. They were big traders in the Midwest. By 1891, William Bartlett owned 2,000 acres of farmland. It was near Glendale. He started a 640-acre farm. He called it Sahuaro Ranch. He planted many citrus and pecan trees.
William Bartlett never lived full-time at the ranch. But he was very involved in its growth. He had many buildings built. These were for his family and the workers. He hired managers to run the ranch.
The first building on the ranch was an adobe house. It was built in 1881. It was the home and office for Stephen H. Campbell. He was the first manager. In 1895, the manager moved to the main house. The adobe house then became a home for ranch workers. Bartlett had his workers plant figs, other fruits, grapes, and alfalfa.
Other buildings were added in the 1890s. These included the Foreman's House, the blacksmith shop, and the horse barn. The Fruit Packing House was built in 1891. It was the biggest packing house in the Salt River Valley.
The ranch raised many farm animals. These included cows, bulls, and hogs. In the 1890s, 500 to 1,000 hogs were raised there. Horses and mules pulled wagons, mowers, and other farm tools.
The Guest House was built in 1898. Bartlett's youngest son got sick in Chicago. His doctor said he should move to a warmer place. Bartlett designed the guest house for his son and family. It had everything they needed.
In 1901, Bartlett built a pump house. It had an oil-fired electrical generator. This pump house gave electricity to the ranch buildings. It also helped pump water. By 1905, the ranch used cars. Bartlett built a garage for his wagons and cars.
New Owners: Bradshaw (1913-1927) and Smith (1927-1977) Eras
In 1913, Peter E. Bradshaw bought the ranch. He planted long-staple cotton in 1915. In 1927, Richard W. Smith bought the ranch. He planted many citrus and pecan trees.
In 1928, Smith built a dairy barn. He raised dairy cows to sell their milk. The milk was sold in large amounts. It was shipped in cans to local dairies.
Richard W. Smith passed away in 1944. His son, Richard S. Smith, took over the farm. He started a dairy business on the ranch. It was called the Sahuaro Jersey Dairy Milk House.
In the early 1960s, 120 acres of the ranch were sold. This land was used to build the Glendale Community College campus.
Sahuaro Ranch and the National Register
In 1966, the City of Glendale began to buy the ranch. Mayor Max Klass helped start this plan. The city wanted to buy 80 acres of the original ranch. In 1977, a federal grant helped the city buy the land. Glendale then began to fix up the old buildings. After the city bought the land, Richard S. Smith was allowed to rent the ranch until 1980.
On March 7, 1980, Sahuaro Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The city applied for 17 acres of the ranch to be listed. The ranch is now open to everyone. You can find it at 9802 North 59th Avenue and Mountain View.
The Sahuaro Ranch Fire
In September 2017, the ranch had several fires. They happened on September 18, 23, and 26. The blacksmith shop, granary building, and milk house all caught fire. They were completely destroyed. This was a sad loss for the community.
The park closed on September 26, 2017. This allowed for an investigation into the fires. It reopened the next day. In February 2018, a 14-year-old was arrested. This was for being on the property the night of the biggest fire. However, no proof was found to link the teen to any other crimes.
The damaged buildings were rebuilt. They reopened in February 2020. They were made to look like the originals. Modern rules were followed. The city used old photos and staff memories to match the look. Much of the wood came from Flagstaff. It was kept as natural as possible. This was how buildings were made in the early 1900s.
Gallery of historical Sahuaro Ranch
-
Entrance to Historic Sahuaro Ranch.
-
Different view of the Main Mansion in Sahuaro Ranch.
-
Blacksmith Shop (1890).
-
Outhouse (1890).
-
Case Steam Engine used in Sahuaro Ranch.
-
Farm machinery and 1890s Horse Stable (in background).
-
1901 Pump House.
-
1905 Wagon and auto garage.
-
Well House (1920).
- Images of the 19th Century interior furnishings and decorations of the Main Mansion and Adobe house.
-
The Smith bedroom on the second floor of the main mansion.
-
Small study in the hallway of the second floor of the main mansion.
-
Living room in the first floor of the main mansion.
-
The inside of the old Adobe house, the first structure built in the Sahuaro Ranch.
See also
