San Rafael Ranch, Historic cattle ranch in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, US
San Rafael Ranch is a historic cattle property spanning 18,500 acres near the Mexican border, with a three-story brick main house and multiple agricultural structures. The main buildings include barns, storage facilities, and worker quarters that together show how a large livestock operation was organized.
Colonel William Greene acquired the property in 1903 and made it headquarters for the Greene Cattle Company, operating thousands of cattle. The operation grew to become one of the region's largest ranching enterprises during that era.
The buildings show French Colonial Revival style, reflecting how ranch architecture developed in Arizona over time. Walking through the structures, you notice how design choices adapted to the local environment and needs.
The property is managed by Arizona State Parks since 1999 and is accessible by roads through the rural Santa Cruz County landscape. The cooler months offer the best visiting conditions, as summer temperatures can be extremely hot in this border region.
The property served as a filming location in the 1950s for the Western film Oklahoma, starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. This film connection brought the location greater recognition in popular culture.
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