Empire Ranch Foundation

Empire Ranch Foundation The Historic Empire Ranch
(4)

06/01/2026

August 9, 1876—Last Day at Happy Valley

Hislop writes (9/23/1876): “The next morning we were up again at dawn of day and had the same breakfast as we had had the night before for supper and started for another ride on the ranch. He (the owner) took us to his marble quarry that he had there and it was one of the prettiest places I ever saw. Between the two sides of the quarry there was a good stream of water running through and over marble as white as snow, having little waterfalls and natural bridges which had been formed by water and time. This went right between two high mountains and was about 20 ft. wide. It was the most picturesque and romantic place I think I ever saw. We returned to the ranch at about 4:30 p.m. and partook of another sumptuous meal of dried venison and baked flour and water, and then the same programme as the night before.”

Historical note—though Hislop and Vail did not purchase the Happy Valley Ranch in 1876, Walter Vail purchased the ranch in 1882 as he expanded the land holdings of the Empire Ranch.

Photo caption/credit: 1881 survey map of Charles Paige’s homestead. Source: BLM General Land Office Records

What great energy at the 20th annual TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Run/Walk tonight! Congratulations to all of the participant...
05/31/2026

What great energy at the 20th annual TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Run/Walk tonight! Congratulations to all of the participants. We hope to see you at the Empire Ranch Trail Run in January.

Thank you to our amazing Volunteers who helped at the tent! And many thanks to for having us there!

https://runtucson.net/
https://empireranchfoundation.org/

05/30/2026

August 8, 1876—Arrival at the Happy Valley Ranch

Hislop writes (9/23/1876): “Waking at day-break, about 5 a.m., we got up and lighted a fire, partaking of coffee and bread and then started for the ranch. After leaving our camping place we killed a large rattle snake about 100 yds. from our sleeping place, and taking away his rattle we left him behind and journeyed on, reaching the ranch at 8 a.m. where we had some curds for breakfast and then started for a ride round the ranch, which took us 4 hours to go over about 10 miles of it as it was very hilly and rocky. On my return I acted as doctor as there was a Mexican woman ill with fever and I gave her a dose of Pyretic Saline and then a hot cup of tea afterwards and the next morning she woke up a great deal better and felt very grateful to me for it. or dinner and supper combined we had dried venison with onions and rice, this went down pretty well as we were hungry, and after having smoked the calumet of peace, I retired to my lowly bed and rolled myself in my blanket.”

Photo caption/credit: Mohave rattlesnake. Source: Arizona Game and Fish

05/30/2026

For 100 years, dude ranches have offered an enduring vision of the American West — places where families gather, traditions are preserved, and the rhythms of horseback travel and open country still matter.

In our June/July issue, we mark the centennial of The Dude Ranchers' Association with an in-depth look at the history, culture, and continued appeal of these singular Western institutions, alongside Call of the West, a visually stunning documentary filmed across seven iconic ranches.

Read the full story: https://www.cowboysindians.com/2026/05/dude-ranchings-big-moment/

📷: Scott T. Baxter

05/30/2026

We are so excited to announce our May Valley Voyager winner! is always exploring the Santa Cruz Valley NHA, and we wanted to highlight their visit to The Patagonia Museum and even collecting their NHA Passport To Your National Parks stamp stop along the way ⚒️✨.

Even though a lot is slowing down throughout the SCVNHA, summer is a great season to get out and explore the places that help tell the story of the Santa Cruz Valley. Join the Valley Voyager Challenge by visiting sites across the Heritage Area, checking them off your list, and sharing your adventures with us!

📸 Share your visit with and tag us , or email your photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

05/30/2026

August 7, 1876—Setting Out for the Happy Valley Ranch

Vail writes ( 8/6/1876): “Hislop and I expect to start out in the morning to look at a ranch that belongs to Mr. Page and we will probably be gone for about four or five days so if you don’t hear from me for some time you needn’t feel worried. Page’s [Charles Paige] place is about 45 miles from Tucson and is situated between two high mountains which are as good as a fence as they are too rough for cattle to travel over which would make it a very easy range to manage stock on as they could not be driven off without being found out.”

Hislop writes (8/7/1876): “Today, August 7th, we start again for the mountains to see some more ranches and I hope to tell you in my next letter that we are settled, but until then I’ll just wish you good bye.” (9/23/1876): “We rode for 23 miles and then halted for dinner, lighting a fire and broiling some beef and bacon over the coals and most delicious it was, better by far than having it served up in fine style. Then we rode on through mountain passes for over 8 miles farther and halted for the night, picketing our horses and letting them get what grass they could, rolling ourselves in our blankets we went to sleep after having lighted our camp fire. In the night we were woke up by the wolves coming round us and giving us a treat of some of their music, but they soon got tired and left. They will sometimes come and gnaw the rope or rawhide that you tether your horse by and you always have to look out for them on account of this.”

Photo caption/credit: The Happy Valley Ranch was located on the east side of the Rincon Mountains. Image source: An Englishman’s Arizona, 1965

05/29/2026

Email from WOG/Run Tucson With packet pickup, schedule, weather, and more info Thank you for signing up! Hello to the 2000+ runners and walkers who have registered as of May 27th for Saturday's TMC Me

05/29/2026

August 6, 1876—Report on Tucson Weather

Vail writes (8/7/1876): “The weather is very warm in Tucson now it is over a hundred most every day. Last night we had a sandstorm which lasted about forty minutes. There was so much sand and dust in the air that everyone had to retreat to their houses and keep the windows and doors shut while it lasted.”

Photo caption/credit: Southeastern Arizona’s summer rains (monsoons) result in spectacular vegetation growth, as show in this recent photo at the Empire Ranch by Sally Reichardt.

Address

E Empire Ranch Road
Sonoita, AZ
85637

Telephone

+18883642829

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