Acadia Ranch

Acadia Ranch is a historic ranch complex near Oracle with several buildings that reflect different periods of its use. The property includes a main house, smokehouse, garage, and water tower that together show how the operation functioned as a working estate.

Edwin S. Dodge and his wife founded the property in the 1880s and turned it into a guest house for travelers. The complex grew from a previous lodging business they had operated in Tucson.

The property is maintained by the Oracle Historical Society and shows how people lived and worked with the land in this area. The exhibits tell the story of ranching life and how the region developed over time.

The property sits in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at about 4,500 feet elevation, where the climate is noticeably cooler than in nearby Tucson. Visitors will find the hillside location and mountain air refreshing, especially during warmer seasons.

The main house features an L-shaped design, and its original adobe section occupies a surprisingly compact footprint. This early part of the building with its front porch facing north toward the street shows how practical and visual needs shaped the design of that era.