June 2018 Volume 19, Issue 2 EMPIRE RANCH FOUNDATION NEWS P.O Box 842 * Sonoita, Arizona 85637-0842 * (888) 364-2829 www.empireranchfoundation.org Walter L. Vail Honored O n A p r i l 1 4 , 2018, Walter Lennox Vail was posthumous- ly inducted into the Hall of Great West- erners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The award is reserved for exceptional individuals who have made an indelible impact upon the histo- ry of America's West. Beautiful Blue Skies and cious chuck wagon grub was ready when Walter's great-grandson, Dr. Tim Vail the riders returned, and was consumed in (below) accepted the award for the entire Vistas the Adobe Haybarn. Nine year old Cole Vail family. Tim is a long-time board The beauty of Las Cienegas National declared that it was “the best meat I’ve member of the Empire Ranch Foundation Conservation Area was on full display ever eaten!” Nancy Elliott provided won- and was joined at the ceremony by ERF on Saturday, April 7th for the annual derful musical accompaniment to the President Faith Boice and Vice-President Spring Trail Ride. Sixty three riders par- meal. The ERF gift shop was a popular Ray Patrone, as well as many Vail family ticipated in the two trail rides, enjoying destination during the day, and sales of members, including former ERF board the perfect weather, blue skies and beau- raffle tickets were brisk. Many enjoyed member Susan Ingram Hughes. tiful vistas. the docent tours offered by Chip Fears Steve Boice led the three hour ride and Karen King. on a route that went through five of the We are grateful for the contributions Empire Ranch pastures, twice crossing of All Around Trail Horses, Rex Dalton the Cienega Creek. Faith Boice led the and crew, Steve and Faith and other ERF shorter ride in a westerly direction on board members, ERF administrator the road to the Empire windmill, return- Lahsha Brown, and all of the volunteers ing along the ridge above the Empire that helped make the event such a suc- Gulch. Twenty four wagon ride partici- cess. Please plan to join us next year on pants also travelled the road to the Em- April 6th. (photos continued on p. 4) pire windmill, learning all about the natural resources of LCNCA from do- cent Gail Corkill. One of the highlights Walter L. Vail (1850-1906) and part- of the ride was spotting several deer in a ners founded the Empire Ranch near mesquite bosque. Sonoita, Arizona beginning with 160 While registering many riders en- acres in 1876. Under his leadership, the joyed the coffee and biscuits at Rex Dal- Empire Land & Cattle Co. expanded to ton’s EZ Cattle Company chuck wagon become a successful operation with in- camp, and watched the Dutch oven Trail ride (above) followed by lunch in the (continued on p. 2) cooking preparations for lunch. Deli- Haybarn—perfect! (photos: C. Rogos) Published by the Empire Ranch Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 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 outstand- ing western heritage and education center. Donations to the Foundation may be sent to: P.O. Box 842, Sonoita, AZ 85637-0842. Vail Recognition (cont’d) A Special Volunteer and Birthday Motion picture celebrities Sam Elliot and Mormon Trek Katherine Ross hosted the awards banquet. Experience terests in cattle, mining, oil, real estate Over 190 youth from the Church of Jesus and land development as Walter became Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tucson one of the most prominent cattlemen in South Stake) spent four days of their The ERF Volunteer Appreciation Arizona and California at the time. His rodeo break re-enacting a Mormon pio- luncheon was held on Saturday, March civic contributions included time spent neer trek on Las Cienegas. Between 1856 3rd at the Elgin Community Club. The in the 10th Arizona Territorial Legisla- and 1860 three thousand Mormon pi- lunch, prepared and served by ERF ture (1878) and on the Pima County oneers, who could not afford to join Board members, recognizes volunteers Board of Supervisors (1884) where he wagon trains to travel to Salt Lake City, who have contributed significantly to helped to bring about several measures made the 1,100 mile trip on foot pulling ERF’s mission during the past year. modernizing the Arizona cattle industry. handcarts carrying their belongings. Gerald Korte was honored, on the Walter Vail expanded his interests in The trek re-enactment allows partic- occasion of his 90th birthday for his out- the late 19th century to California's rich ipants to experience the hardships and standing contributions to ERF since its ranch lands, acquiring land grants sur- challenges encountered by their ances- founding in 1997. Gerald was instru- rounding Temecula to form the Pauba tors. Dressed in period clothing the youth mental in the establishment of the Foun- and Santa Rosa plateau ranches, as well pulled handcarts between four LCNCA dation and was its first President. Over as the land grants for Santa Rosa Island locations (Cieneguita, Ag Fields, Airstrip, the years he has served on the Board and near the Santa Barbara coast, which and Empire Ranch Headquarters) travel- Advisory Committee, has willingly prospered so well through the late 20th ling more than 23 miles on foot and shared his expertise as a speaker and tour century that it became part of the Na- camping in below freezing temperatures. guide, and has provided invaluable as- tional Park system. Walter Vail was an The trek ended at Empire Ranch Head- sistance in the development of ERF ex- uncommonly successful and visionary quarters where they added cement blocks hibits and publications. President Faith leader. This honor was richly deserved. carried in the handcarts to build a “tem- Boice presented Gerald with a framed (photos: P. Busche) ple” structure. They were greeted with photo of the Empire Ranch House (see cheers and applause from their enthusias- photo above). tic families and friends and enjoyed in a Other volunteers were recognized celebratory lunch before returning home. for their years of service or first time Help Continue the contributions. Several BLM staff attend- Legacy ed the event to also thank to those who On April 14, 2018 Walter Lennox Vail do so much to protect and preserve the was inducted into the National Cowboy Empire Ranch buildings and landscape. and Western Heritage Museum. He (photo: J. Lowrey) joined Frank Seymour Boice who was previously inducted in 1958. Both these Gifts in Remembrance cowboy-owners of the Empire Ranch were honored as “Great Westerners” for The Empire Ranch Foundation gratefully their contribution to the settlement of the Youth pull handcart to ER Headquarters west and development of ranching in acknowledges gifts recently received (top); young pioneers in period clothing. In Memory of: Arizona.The legacy of their work contin- (photos: A. Bunting, C. Rogos) ues in the Empire Ranch Foundation. Diego Cuevas, You can become part of this legacy generosity will help us continue the lega- Diana Cameron Graham, by including the Empire Ranch Founda- cy of the Vails and Boices and preserve Louise Cameron Graham, tion in your estate planning. That is what our priceless western heritage. Ask your Carey Ingram, Dusty Vail Ingram, Howard and Barbara Lilley, long time estate planner about how you can make a Dick & Eva Jimenez, supporters of the Foundation, did last bequest to the Foundation to help pre- Patti Kelly, year. They generously included a bequest serve the legacy of the Empire Ranch and Hans & Bea Schou, to the Foundation in their will. Their become part of our western heritage. John Wayne 2 Ranch House roof together. The current roofing will be Coming August 8th!! removed from all sections of the house, Stabilization and and plywood sheathing installed or re- Volunteer Work Update placed where needed (see left bottom photo). The original 1870 section and the Much has been accomplished in the Rear Addition will have new rolled complex Ranch House stabilization composition roofing. The Children’s project. Foundations under the walls of Addition corrugated metal roofing will the original 1870 section and the Rear be replaced; the same material will be Addition have been exposed, repaired, installed over the Victorian Addition. and underpinned where necessary. Some Areas of the yard between the Victorian parts of the floor in the Children’s Addi- Addition and the Adobe Hay Barn have tion were removed in order to build four been re-contoured to provide positive reinforced concrete block stem walls, drainage away from the Ranch House which will carry the weight of the wood- foundations. en frame structure. The Outlaw Josey Wales The Empire Ranch Foundation is proud Volunteers who attended the April to present Clint Eastwood starring in 21st workday (shown above) mowed and “The Outlaw Josey Wales” as our 2018 cleared brush and weeds along the Her- Western Movie at the Loft Cinema in itage Discovery Trail, began repairs of Tucson on Wednesday, August 8th. A the Covered Feed Trough, stacked sal- panel discussion at 6:30pm precedes the vaged wood and corrugated roofing from 7:00pm show time. the Children’s Addition, and cleaned and Josey Wales makes his way west organized the Visitor Contact Station and after the Civil War, determined to live a gift shop. useful and helpful life. He joins up with A “Week Day Work Day” has been- a group of settlers who need the protec- started during the months when a regular tion that a man as tough and experienced (Saturday) work day isn’t scheduled.