Oro Valley was once a ranching community. Ranching in Oro Valley was marked by three distinct eras.
1869-1900: Open Range Ranchers
Early settlers occupied federal land in the late nineteenth century in what would later become Oro Valley. They had no title to the land, but built corrals, wells and simple adobe homes. These settlers branded their cattle and let them roam the area between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains. Once a year, the ranchers would cooperate in a round-up to gather the cattle and take them to market. They raised Mexican cattle and longhorns. In the 1870s, these settlers still had conflicts with Native Americans. Francisco Romero and his wife, Victoriana, settled in former Hohokam ruins (now Romero Ruins in Catalina State Park). Some of the settlers eventually filed for homesteads.
After 1900, the land in Oro Valley was surveyed by federal agents and was available for sale. Homesteaders paid between $25 and $35 to claim 160 to 640 acres of land. By law, they were required to live on the land for a period of time and make improvements. Many constructed small homes of adobe or wood frame. Some raised Short Horn and Hereford cattle, but their properties were too small to raise large herds. They fenced the best pasture land and stream bed areas with barbed wire and raised cattle in these confined areas. The homesteaders suffered from frequent droughts and changes in consumer prices for beef. Many were forced to sell their land after they “proved up” and gained legal title to their properties.
1930-1960: Wealthy Eastern Ranchers
Starting in the 1920s, wealthy Eastern businessmen came to winter in the Tucson area. They enjoyed the climate and open spaces. Some of them purchased land in Oro Valley to run cattle ranches. A number of these individuals held from 2,000 to 7,000 acres of land and leased additional federal land. They did not run the day-to-day operations, but had foreman and ranch hands do this work. Starting in 1934, the federal government limited the number of cattle to be grazed on public lands to prevent over-grazing and soil erosion. These ranchers built spacious, modern homes to reside here in the winter months. Starting in the 1950s, they began to sell off land to developers for the construction of suburban housing developments.
This piece (on display at the Pusch House Museum) was researched and coordinated by Jim Williams, local author and historian, by Pat Spoerl, PhD, Archaeologist, by Joyce Rychener, OVHS Heritage Garden and Education Committee Chair and by Sue Chambasian, OVHS Collections Committee Chair.
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The last opportunity to see “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch” will be on Saturday, January 29, from nine to noon at the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle). Beginning Saturday, February 5 (and Saturdays only through February 26 from nine to noon) the Pusch House Museum exhibit will focus on Black History. Consider becoming a member of the Oro Valley Historical Society! We can’t do it without community support. Visit www.ovhistory.org for more information, to join, or to donate.
1930-1960: Wealthy Eastern Ranchers
Starting in the 1920s, wealthy Eastern businessmen came to winter in the Tucson area. They enjoyed the climate and open spaces. Some of them purchased land in Oro Valley to run cattle ranches. A number of these individuals held from 2,000 to 7,000 acres of land and leased additional federal land. They did not run the day-to-day operations, but had foreman and ranch hands do this work. Starting in 1934, the federal government limited the number of cattle to be grazed on public lands to prevent over-grazing and soil erosion. These ranchers built spacious, modern homes to reside here in the winter months. Starting in the 1950s, they began to sell off land to developers for the construction of suburban housing developments.
This piece (on display at the Pusch House Museum) was researched and coordinated by Jim Williams, local author and historian, by Pat Spoerl, PhD, Archaeologist, by Joyce Rychener, OVHS Heritage Garden and Education Committee Chair and by Sue Chambasian, OVHS Collections Committee Chair.
- - -
The last opportunity to see “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch” will be on Saturday, January 29, from nine to noon at the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle). Beginning Saturday, February 5 (and Saturdays only through February 26 from nine to noon) the Pusch House Museum exhibit will focus on Black History. Consider becoming a member of the Oro Valley Historical Society! We can’t do it without community support. Visit www.ovhistory.org for more information, to join, or to donate.
