Canoa Ranch is one of the oldest ranches in the Santa Cruz River Valley. It was established in 1820 as the Spanish land grant, San Ignacio de la Canoa. From the earliest historical records (including those of Father Kino and Captain de Anza), this site was known as a reliable source of water, and archaeological evidence has uncovered Archaic Period as well as Hohokam Period sites. Although a number of enterprises were attempted on the land grant, including farming and a lumber operation, it was ranching that provided the most continuous occupation of the land from 1876 to 1951. The ranch extended over 100,000 acres and provided housing and a school for 35-40 ranch hands and their families. Remaining ranch facilities included a main ranch house, a “long” house, guesthouse, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and remnants of corrals, barns and storage facilities. Pictured below are but a few of the remaining buildings.
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