Papa and I have worked diligently in our yard over the past month, filling three large dumpsters with yard debris. About a week ago, I decided we needed a break. Kitt Peak and Baboquivari Peak were on my "to see list," and I was curious about Rancho de la Osa. I made a reservation for Monday night.
We arrived on Monday afternoon after driving through the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent and to the north of Rancho de la Osa. Its history goes like this...
"Native American History: The ranch headquarters was originally a village for Tohono O’Odham (once called Papago) Indians and possibly the Hohokam. Many artifacts, including metates and pottery shards have been found and continue to be.
Spanish History: Rancho de la Osa boasts Arizona’s oldest continually used building that was built at the Indian village around 1720 by Jesuit missionaries who had traveled with Father Kino. The building was a mission outpost which served as a place of worship, a trading post and an inn for travelers.
Mexico: With Mexican independence from Spain in 1812, the ranch became a part of Mexico. The ranch was part of the 1812 Ortiz Brothers Spanish land grant. In 1916 Pancho Villa raided and attempted to take Rancho de la Osa. A cannon ball from that attack was found embedded in the adobe wall of the Hacienda and is on display today.
Ranching: In the late 1800s the ranch was bought by cattle baron Colonel William Sturgis, who built the great Hacienda, which was finished in 1889. The ranch was now part of the United States, following the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. In 1925 Louisa Wetherill, a noted Navajo historian and archeologist came to the area and the ranch, looking for a “lost” tribe of Navajos. They did not find the tribe, but found the perfect place to build a dude ranch. Rancho de la Osa opened to guests in 1926.
Political: A group of Eastern investors with Dick Jenkins as the managing partner bought the ranch in the 1930s. Dick became Chairman of the Arizona Democrat party and through his connections and prominence within the party, hosted several politicians including President Lyndon B. Johnson and wife Lady Bird, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Supreme court Justice William O. Douglas. Two time presidential candidate and senator, Adlai Stevenson had a home on the ranch and William Clayton wrote the Marshall Plan in what is now known as the “Clayton House”.
Hollywood/Celebrities: Tom Mix was an early and regular guest to the ranch. Caesar Romero, Joan Crawford, Margaret Mitchell (author of Gone With the Wind), and Zane Gray also were guests. John Wayne was a frequent guest and had a favorite room that is still in use today."
We had dinner at Rancho de la Osa with other guests and the ranch managers, Ross and Lynn. Ross is also a cowboy poet and after dinner recited a poem he wrote. Rancho de la Osa feels "past its prime." Times have changed since its heyday. Still, we enjoyed our visit!
We arrived on Monday afternoon after driving through the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent and to the north of Rancho de la Osa. Its history goes like this...
"Native American History: The ranch headquarters was originally a village for Tohono O’Odham (once called Papago) Indians and possibly the Hohokam. Many artifacts, including metates and pottery shards have been found and continue to be.
Spanish History: Rancho de la Osa boasts Arizona’s oldest continually used building that was built at the Indian village around 1720 by Jesuit missionaries who had traveled with Father Kino. The building was a mission outpost which served as a place of worship, a trading post and an inn for travelers.
Mexico: With Mexican independence from Spain in 1812, the ranch became a part of Mexico. The ranch was part of the 1812 Ortiz Brothers Spanish land grant. In 1916 Pancho Villa raided and attempted to take Rancho de la Osa. A cannon ball from that attack was found embedded in the adobe wall of the Hacienda and is on display today.
Ranching: In the late 1800s the ranch was bought by cattle baron Colonel William Sturgis, who built the great Hacienda, which was finished in 1889. The ranch was now part of the United States, following the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. In 1925 Louisa Wetherill, a noted Navajo historian and archeologist came to the area and the ranch, looking for a “lost” tribe of Navajos. They did not find the tribe, but found the perfect place to build a dude ranch. Rancho de la Osa opened to guests in 1926.
Political: A group of Eastern investors with Dick Jenkins as the managing partner bought the ranch in the 1930s. Dick became Chairman of the Arizona Democrat party and through his connections and prominence within the party, hosted several politicians including President Lyndon B. Johnson and wife Lady Bird, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Supreme court Justice William O. Douglas. Two time presidential candidate and senator, Adlai Stevenson had a home on the ranch and William Clayton wrote the Marshall Plan in what is now known as the “Clayton House”.
Hollywood/Celebrities: Tom Mix was an early and regular guest to the ranch. Caesar Romero, Joan Crawford, Margaret Mitchell (author of Gone With the Wind), and Zane Gray also were guests. John Wayne was a frequent guest and had a favorite room that is still in use today."
We had dinner at Rancho de la Osa with other guests and the ranch managers, Ross and Lynn. Ross is also a cowboy poet and after dinner recited a poem he wrote. Rancho de la Osa feels "past its prime." Times have changed since its heyday. Still, we enjoyed our visit!
