May 2005 Volume 6, Issue 2 EMPIRE RANCH FOUNDATION NEWS P.O. Box 842 • Sonoita, Arizona 85637-0842 • (520) 881-1510 www.empireranchfoundation.org

Empire 100 Art Show — Another Success Story The fifth Empire 100 Art Show closed at Northern Trust Bank, Tucson, on Febru- ary 23, 2005, after seven successful weeks on display. Each year the crowd of art enthusi- asts has grown so that now the show re- Empire Ranch House and Adobe Haybarn viewed from the West (photo: courtesy quires two opening receptions to accom- TuleReed.com Photography) modate all of the excited viewers. A third Help Keep Us At the Top promises a unique, educational family ex- of the exhibition sold within the first two perience for members and new friends. days, and nearly five thousand people Message from the President viewed the show throughout its duration. This could not be a better time for me to • Membership numbers over five hun- dred strong with individuals, corporations The Empire 100 Art Show features ask you to consider new or renewed mem- high quality, affordable art by well known bership in the Empire Ranch Foundation. and foundations from around the world. We are indeed at the top of our game. • The Empire Ranch Headquarters was When I say at the top, I mean the selected, from a long list of widely known Foundation has achieved impressive candidates, by the Vernacular Architecture progress, and is poised for more… Forum, a prestigious association of archi- • Just last month, we received a huge tects, as a study and tour site for their 2005 vote of confidence. The Foundation’s VAF Conference. We now join the ranks teamwork was honored by a Challenge Cost of other host historic sites such as Share Grant for $25,000 sponsored by our Williamsburg, as in “colonial” Williamsburg! partner the BLM. With your help, we will • The “Save the Adobe Haybarn” emer- fully match the grant with member-donated gency repairs program concludes this Sum- dollars and volunteer time. mer with repairs to the barn’s northeast • Legacy Day, our pilot education pro- corner. With your membership dollars and gram taught at the ranch headquarters and with grant assistance from The Southwest- structured for young students, is on track ern Foundation and our partner the BLM, for May 17. We’ll host Elgin School Dis- nearly $200,000 in repairs has saved from trict students with expanded curriculum and imminent ruin this historic jewel, built circa events. Imagine the powerful impact forty- 1878. four thousand Empire acres has on an im- • Additional preservation and improve- ment projects are in planning, to be com- pressionable mind. That’s exactly what we Artist Jon Lightfoot won the People’s want: no text books here. pleted along side of large scale adaptive Choice award for his striking painting • Our Fall Roundup Open House and reuse construction at the Headquarters entitled “House of Clouds.” Western Art Show in October once again (continued on page 2) (continued on page 2)

Published by the Empire Ranch Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. The purpose of the Foundation is to protect, restore, and sustain the Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape as an outstanding western heritage and education center. Donations to the Foundation may be sent to: P.O. Box 842, Sonoita, AZ 85637-0842. 1 Adobe Haybarn: More Art Show (cont’d from p. 1) Than the Sum of Its Parts artists. Individual sales ranged from $245 to $3,500 with an average sales price of The Empire’s historic Adobe Haybarn is $1,400. Artists donated a portion of their not a very impressive structure from a sales to benefit the Foundation, and sev- distance, but it is quite unique when you eral artists—John Fawcett, Gary Hammil, look at it up close and think about how and Louis Maestas— generously donated and when it was built. the entire proceeds for selected pieces. It was first constructed sometime All told, the event bestowed the Foun- around 1878, and has gone through some dation with over $13,000 in critical pres- changes over the years, including a fire ervation and program funds. that caused one wall to collapse. The wall Of the 63 artists showing, 13 were was rebuilt, windows and interior divi- new to the show this year. Two young sions were removed, doors relocated and artists who receive scholarship funding various coatings of plaster and stucco from Friends of Western Art were favor- applied to the walls. It must have been a ites in the show. Charles Thomas beamed very important part of the ranch opera- when his spectacular painting, Danza de tion to be continually repaired and kept los Vaqueros, was purchased by another in service for so many years. Hay was a Adobe Haybarn viewed from the South (photo: courtesy TuleReed.com artist, Sherry Blanchard Stuart. Daniel necessary item for the horses, and prob- Photography) Gonzalez, who first showed at last year’s ably milk cows, that were kept in the Roundup, also sold his painting entitled corrals and had to be fed. lar to that used to make the adobes. “Bull Ride”. Let’s take a “Words Eye View” of That 127 tons of dirt is estimated to With five magnificent years under this old building. It is approximately 28 have been used to not only make the 7000 our belts, it is time for the Empire 100 to feet wide, 61 feet long, walls 12 foot high, adobes but also approximately 25 tons say a big thank you to its founders and with a gable roof that peaks at 20 feet. of mud mortar. With a team of horses all of the artists whose work has yielded The walls are made of raw adobe and and a good wagon they would probably vital revenue to the Foundation’s cause. are about 16 inches thick. The adobes haul a 1000 pounds of adobes to the build- A spring photo shoot is planned in April vary in size, partly due to weathering, but ing site at one time. With approximately for these special friends. They will be are roughly 9 inches wide by 16 inches 102 tons to transport that means over 200 able to see the Empire’s rancher Mac long and 4 inches thick. The mortar was trips plus another 50 trips for the mortar. Donaldson and his crew move cattle. made of mud as are the adobes. Then of course all of that had to be un- There will be wagons and horses and The present roof is made of 2x6 lum- loaded then built into place up to 20 feet lunch too. This is a small way that we ber and corrugated metal roofing. It is high. No small task by any means. can express our deepest appreciation to estimated that there are approximately There are stories of the Vail and Boice our family of artists. 7000 adobes in the walls, which would children and grandchildren that played in require someone to dig, mix, form, cure, this barn, climbing on the hay up until haul, lift and set nearly 127 tons of dirt. about 1960. Maybe when the barn is fin- That was done without the use of trucks, ished there will be some hay in it for the mixers or any other mechanical device kids to play on. that we rely on in today’s construction. So when you make your next visit It is assumed that the adobes were made to the Empire Ranch, stop by the Adobe close by, probably near a source of wa- Haybarn and take a look, and think about ter. Just north of the building site is a what it took to build it and all the things cienega that might have been that source that might have happened inside those of water and that has a type of soil simi- walls over the last 125 years.

At the Top (cont’d from p. 1) for July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. which will be funded through BLM ap- “Right now,” as my enclosed letter propriations over the next five years. to you says, please send in your reply Our unique collaboration as a private and become a current-year member. Help volunteer foundation working in coop- keep us at the top. eration with BLM is proving to be a na- Thank you! tional model for success in saving his- toric sites for future generations, and Sarah Miller, President “Danza de los Vaqueros” oil by Charles promises another at the top performance Empire Ranch Foundation Thomas 2 Reflections from Sixty Years Ago... Empire Ranch Roundup Is Coming! “Hollywood on the Empire” Saturday, October 1, 2005

John Wayne and Boice family while filming on site at the Empire, c. 1948. (photo: courtesy S. Boice) Did you know she is a real live Holly- wood movie star...featured in many a big time film? Yep, she is...see the marquee list Gerald Korte in foreground, changing horses on spring roundup on the Empire Ranch at below. Rosemont, circa 1948, 1949 (photo: courtesy G.. Korte) Mark October 1 in your calendar now, and plan to visit the home of a star— the ERF Board member Gerald Korte went to at least once a day. The horse changes Empire Ranch—for a full day of family fun, work for the Boice family on the Empire were also done out in the open. education, music, food and exhibits. The Ranch part-time in 1946 and around 1947 The cowboys “corralled” the horses Empire Ranch Roundup Open House and was a regular staff cowboy. The following with a single rope around them while two Western Art Show will have it all. Show are his recollections. designated ropers went into the herd to time starts at 10:00 AM! catch the horses the cowboys wanted. To Most of the year there were only two cow- Learn and share stories about Holly- avoid spooking the herd, swing roping was boys and a foreman at the headquarters and wood westerns filmed on the Empire Ranch never used. Instead we pitch roped, hold- a cowboy at the Rosemont Camp. and environs. In addition, the Victorian wing ing the rope on one side of our bodies and During roundup twelve cowboys were of the Empire Ranch House will be packed then we’d quickly throw out a single loop needed. For the fall roundup in October with an array of fine art, all for sale. Guided to catch the designated horses. the additional men came from the northern tours of the historic buildings and prop- We took eighty head of horses along states. They were in Arizona to escape the erty will enchant you. Explore the western on the roundup drives. We’d point out a cold winters. After the roundup they demonstrations and exhibits before feast- hill several miles away to the horse wran- worked at various dude ranches and else- ing on an outdoor barbecue lunch….. and gler (a less experienced cowboy) and he’d where for the rest of the winter months. of course, see the star on film. take the horses to graze there all day. Even- For the spring roundup around June No admission fee, lots of parking, tually we’d show up. (which was not best because of the screw- food served at reasonable prices! More During roundup the cowboys would worm problem), Pancho and Bob Boice details to come in our August issue. camp out three days at the Rosemont and were experienced cowboys, out of college six days at what was then called The Farm, Westerns Filmed in Empire Territory and available, so we used them. Other, less now known as the Cienega, then we’d head experienced students knew some and back to the headquarters for the remaining Many well known western movies and TV wanted to be cowboys. We used them for time. series were filmed on or near the Empire holding the herd together. Mainly the cattle Ranch. They include: were worked in the open as corrals were [To hear more of Gerald’s stories about • Red River (1), John Wayne, 1948 not always available on roundup. The ex- cowboy life on the Empire Ranch be sure • Red River (2), James Arness, 1989 perienced cowboys would do the roping, to attend the Fall Roundup, October 1. • Oklahoma, Gordon McRey & Shirley branding, earmarking, vaccinating, etc. Gerald has been most generous with his time Jones, 1955 Each cowboy had four horses or more and knowledge and gives tours of the ranch. • Duel In the Sun, Gregory Peck & and during the roundup they were changed They are not to be missed!] Joseph Cotton, 1948 (continued on page 4) 3 Westerns (cont’d from p. 3) Education by Experience Preservation Projects • The Big Country, Gregory Peck & Summary Charlton Heston, 1958 Preservation of the Empire Ranch House • Gunman’s Walk, Van Heflen & Tab and other buildings is a primary mission of Hunter, 1958 the Foundation. Projects recently com- • 3:10 To Yuma, Glen Ford & Van pleted, underway, or scheduled are noted Heflin, 1957 below. Projects we have previously shown • Broken Lance, Spencer Tracy & as complete are not repeated here. Robert Wagner, 1954 To see a list of preservation projects • Hombre, Paul Newman, 1958 completed to date, visit our website at: • The Hard Men, Charlton Heston Robert Boon and students explore roping www.empireranchfoundation.org . • Monte Walsh, Lee Marvin, 1970 on Legacy Day, 2004 (photo: B. Lehmann) • Execute emergency repairs to Adobe • Young Pioneers, TV series, ca. 1976 Legacy Day, to be held this year on Haybarn NE corner (Summer 2005, • Gunfight At O.K. Corral, Burt May 17, 2005, hosting pupils from the Elgin fully funded) Lancaster 1958 School District, is unlike any other class- • Determine and correct causes of apparent • War Arrow, Charlton Heston, 1953 room experience in the country. Our class- moisture infiltration to Victorian • Last Train From Gunhill, Kirk room is 44,000 acres and represents the Addition Master Bedroom walls and Douglas & Anthony Quinn, 1958 best of mergers between academics and floor (complete) • Young Riders TV series, 3 years, real-life experiences. Legacy Day is inspi- • Create plan and stabilize Adobe Haybarn • Night of The Lupus, Rory Calhoun, ration day. Thank you Dick Schorr and the for the long term (priority item once 1972 Education Committee. funds are secured) • Bonanza, TV series, several Shows • Stabilize lintel over south entry of Zaguan/ • Gunsmoke, TV series, several Shows Working Calendar Breezeway for the long term (plan • Tom Horn, Steve McQueen, 1982 complete; funding redirected in • The Cowboys, John Wayne, 1970 deference to other emergency repair • Winchester 73, James Stewart, 1953 April needs) • The Furies, Walter Houston & Barbara 14 Vernacular Architecture Forum Tour • Execute emergency repairs to Ranch Stanwick, 1951 and Dinner at Empire Ranch Hand’s House (Phase 2 is a priority • The Rovers, William Holden, 1960 30 Artists’ Photo Shoot at the Empire for funding) • Pocket Money, Paul Newman, 1959 May • Straighten & stabilize leaning concrete • Hour of the Gun, James Garner, 1959 17 Legacy Day, Empire Ranch garden wall (plan approved as non- More Information Sought... -- Spring Trail Ride will not be held volunteer project; priority item once Do you have information, memories or pho- this year funds are secured) July tographs from filmmaking in the Empire • Emergency repairs to Children’s Addition Ranch area? Were you or a family mem- 4 Patagonia Parade floor framing and walls (a priority item ber part of a production, or were you told August once funds are secured) stories about it? We’d love to know about 20 Board Meeting • BLM final approval of adaptive reuse plan it and add to information we’re compiling. October for ranch buildings (complete) Please contact Sarah Miller (520) 237- 1 Empire Ranch Roundup Open 3801 or Billie Donaldson (520) 455-4603 . House and Western Art Sale

2005/2006 Membership Reply Yes, I want to help save the Empire Ranch for future generations! Name: ______$25 Homesteader $50 Total Wreck Miner Street/P.O. Address: ______$100 Wrangler City, State, ZIP : ______$250 Vaquero $500 Jefe Phone: (____)______FAX: (_____)______$1,000 Patron MasterCard Visa Card Check $5,000 Cattle Baron enclosed ______/______Card Number Exp.Date. Signature $10,000 Territorial Governor This membership donation is also in memory of ______This is a gift membership from: ______$______Other Please Mail To: Empire Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 842, Sonoita, AZ 85637 4 The Empire Ranch Foundation has an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit classification; donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.