Faraway Ranch Historic District

Faraway Ranch Historic District contains a main house, barn, cowboy quarters, and storage buildings scattered across the Bonita Canyon landscape at approximately 5,160 feet (1,570 m) elevation. The structures demonstrate how a working ranch was organized and operated.

Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson founded the homestead in 1887 on this remote mountainous land. The property later became a guest ranch under their daughter Lillian and her husband Ed Riggs, helping to draw attention to the area and its eventual protection.

The property reflects early Swedish-American settlement through handmade quilts and the Erickson family cemetery still visible on the grounds. Daily life from that era remains tangible through the artifacts left behind.

The Park Service maintains the buildings and offers guided tours when structures are not undergoing renovation. Wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground, and allow time to acclimate to the higher elevation.

The property helped spark tourism interest in the area known as the Wonderland of Rocks during the guest ranch era. This visitor attention directly contributed to the area's protection as a national monument in 1924.

Location: Cochise County

Inception: 1887

GPS coordinates: 32.01056,-109.37306

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06