OUR CHANGING WEST

The following portfolio represents the West as it is today, a way of life evolved from the past when the area was renowned as the winter “dude ranch” center of our Southwest. Not much remains of what old timers recall as “Cattle Country West” and the original working dude ranches, which were started to augment incomes from the then unprofitable cattle and horse business. By taking in boarders and offering an occasional pack and hunting trip they were able to meet payroll and tax bills. The idea became so popular that the Dude Ranchers Association was born and dude ranching became a booming industry with summer ranches in the northwestern states and winter ranches in the southwest. The type of ranch, equipment and clothes varied with the locality.

Sunshine, healthy atmospheric and climatic conditions, combined with the tranquilizing effect of desert living, attracted a different and more affluent winter visitor to Arizona's dude ranches. They came from the midwest and eastern seaboard states. Tired of the formal routine of society life, they came for a change... and they came willing to pay for an extra measure of comfort and service too. They looked forward to “roughing it” for a day provided, come sundown, the trail led to an exclusive cabin, private bath, refreshments and steak.

On one hand business boomed, dude wranglers prospered and dude ranches became known as guest ranches. On the other hand, the earthy cattle country western moods and qualities were dying. Some operators sensing the too abrupt change in attitudes and atmosphere returned to the old ideas and ideals modifying and adjusting to a more gradual pattern of conformation to the basic concepts.

Fifty years ago ranchers were speaking of an Old West that had long since passed away. Their fathers had seen the old Wild West live and die in one lifetime. The old ones and the wild ways are gone, but much of the good from the Old West is here, somehow always different, alluring tranquilizing and in many ways more beneficial to mankind today.

Think Upon What You See

In David Muench's photograph on the opposite page, the mountains appear strangely close to the city rising out of the distant haze. To the photographer sapient in the theory, logic and application of photography, the reason is quickly evident. David Muench has used a special telephoto lens to bring the distant objects closer to the camera. If there are five objects at varied distances from the lens, their positions will appear as compressed toward the foreground elements in the picture. The device is deliberate and honest, although the image appears somewhat un-natural.

Telephoto lenses are honest and necessary tools in the business of photography and are available to all who can afford them and who have the knowledge and expertise required to use them for the purpose for which they are designed.

When we advance from the elementary classes of photography to the almost limitless branches of modern applied photography, we must learn not only to use the marvelous instruments and materials available, but also to exercise to the fullest the power and value of our medium in the field of visual communication.

The objects in David Muench's composition have been photographed many times by many people. In a broad sense this photograph represents one of the avenues upon which photographymoves to the galleries of “fine art.” Somehow we feel that we are not viewing a reality, and we are correct.

Here the photographer has taken his equipment and artistic license to emphasize, and distort. To one degree or another, great artists in all fields have added, eliminated, accentuated and distorted to achieve masterpieces.

In viewing and analyzing what we see in the photographs on the opposite page, we find ourselves using our minds as well as our eyes. You ask yourself questions . . . you await an answer.

In an almost abstract sense we wonder whether one hundred years from now the city will bury the way of life represented by the objects in the foreground, or will some unpredicted force of nature reduce the city to dust and ruin . . . and a new society rise from huts and hand tools. Impossible? Not really, when you consider Pompeii, Herculaneum, Nineveh and Knossos.

Photographs can be thought provoking without benefit of text. Exposure to television has conditioned our minds to seeing things quickly and thinking upon them simultaneously. More and more we act and react on accelerated impulses. Jet air travel makes it possible to tour 10 countries in 15 days. One hardly has time to remember and contemplate upon the people, places and ways of life, except for photographs and quick notes, most of which are obsolete before year's end.

Seeing is no longer solely a reaction to the instrument of the human eye. Vision becomes the first stage in an image thought action syndrome. Think upon what you see!

The “real thing” in Papago land is seen today as it was several decades ago. — HELGA TEIWES-FRENCH Below: Historic San Xavier Mission and Church stand between the primitive past, foreground, and the city of Tucson rising at the Santa Catalina Mountain foothills. — DAVID MUENCH

ARIZONA INN . . . Nestled into 14 magnificent acres of expansive lawns, gar-dens, cactus, palms and orange trees . . .the Arizona Inn still preserves the charmand hospitality of the Old Southwest.Luxury accommodations are located inpink adobe buildings, many with a pri-vate sun porch and some with a fireplace.Individually controlled heating and airconditioning assures complete personalcomfort year-round.

Here one will find the only Har-Tru tennis courts in Arizona with a recog-nized pro available for instruction. Also there is a large heated pool with buffet luncheons most of the year . . . bar at the pool . . . putting green, Ping-Pong, croquet, badminton, volleyball, and for the very young, swing sets, slides, wading pool, etc.

Excellent 18 hole golf course and riding stables are within a short driving distance.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAY MANLEY

OLD TUCSON, a replica of Tucson as it may have been in the 1860's. It was built in 1940 for the filming of “Arizona,” by Columbia Pictures. It has been the setting for many movies and television shows. Railroads, stagecoaches, horses and old automobiles offer rides through the streets of Old Tucson and the near-by desert trails. Yes, it is currently used as a production center for westerns and if one is lucky he may even see part of an award winning performance. Open from sunrise to sunset, daily.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAY MANLEY

THE EL DORADO HOTEL, in the heart of the modern and growing city of Tucson, is a landmark rich in history. Built in 1935, the main structure was a private residence patterned after an Italian villa. Plantings of giant cypress and aleppo pine dominate the landscape, and the original formal gardens and fountains remain as an unexpected contrast to the desert surroundings. Today, the main building houses varied restaurant facilities, while guests can drive up to any of the 40 individual casitas bordering a lawn and putting green. The hotel's own country club offers golf, tennis and swimming, all with a perfect view of the Catalina Mountains. When it was built, the El Dorado was an oasis in the desert. Now it is an oasis in the city, providing beautiful accom-modations for short stays or seasonal visits.This picnic for El Dorado guests is typical of the fun enjoyed by many at Arizona resorts.

Beautiful landscape designs and meticulous care make it difficult for the visitor to believe that this was once a hostile, barren desert.

Green pastures and blue skies are everywhere.

FOLLOWING PHOTO - Page 22 CIRCLE Z RANCH, Patagonia, Arizona. It's a Circle Z Ranch holiday for wonderful riding! A guest and working cattle ranch for over 40 years... on a flowing stream in vast, beautiful rangeland of hills, mountains, canyons locale of many movies. Colorful Mexico is 15 miles away. Friendly, informal ranch life: cookouts, riding, swimming, tennis, shuffleboard, lazing in the sun. Nearby Audubon sanctuary, Spanish missions. Tombstone, golf, bullfights. A ranch car meets you at the Tucson airport, one hour's drive from the ranch. Fine food, attractive accommodations for 40 guests.

WILD HORSE RANCH CLUB unsurpassed anywhere in the Southwest for earthy diversion and the outstanding quality of services. One of the best birding spots in Arizona. Over 200 species have been seen within a 2 mile radius of the ranch. A nature walk displays 100 varieties of labeled desert vegetation. A 50 acre tropical oasis, beautifully landscaped.

You can ride through a 600,000 acre game area in old cattle country. Heated pool, two new professional tennis courts, unexcelled food, golf privileges at two of Arizona's most beautiful clubs. No smog or dust, high in the foothills. Magnificent fifty mile view. Only 14 miles from the center of Tucson. In the evenings, sit in our comfortable lounge and watch coyotes, kit fox, peccaries, and other wildlife feed in a special flood-lighted area. Limited to 88 guests. Direct-dial telephones in every room. Color T.V. and breakfast room service.

PRECEDING PANEL pages 24 and 25 Arizona Southland Sonoran desert panorama

Blue jeans and western attire are still “high fashion” at Arizona’s guest ranches. But the wranglers are more attractive and articulate, and the horses much smarter than in the good old “dude ranch” days.

TANQUE VERDE RANCH is a truly Western Ranch plus every convenience of a fine resort. You’ll sit “Tall in the Saddle” with over a million acres of challenging trails and mountain country. Shuffleboard, putting green, new indoor heated pool, sauna baths, tennis court, all sports. Two 18-hole championship golf courses nearby. Guests set their own pace of participation in many planned activities and children, too, enjoy their own brand of fun with separate dining room and counselor supervision.Dream country – the soft rolling ranch ranges of our southland, near Sonoita.

PHOTOS BY RAY MANLEY

HACIENDA DEL SOL the ultimate in Old World charm with the best in traditional American standards of service and comfort.

The seekers of Arizona find it here; at the end of the winding road, way above Tucson, and far above the flickering motel and traffic lights. The gentle feeling of unhurried pleasure is yours on entering the Mission Gateway of Hacienda del Sol “Home of the Sun.” Verdant lawns, shade and fruit trees in spacious patios are encircled by wild desert beauty. Moorish architecture abounds with charm and an aura of Old World Graciousness. A large library, heated pool, hot therapeutic pool, well equipped exercise room, shuffleboard, putting green, new tennis court, birding, a stable of fine horses and sports of all types with championship golf but minutes away. Every convenience of a fine Hotel, including cocktail lounge and outstanding food from selective menus. Comfortable accommodations for sixty guests at this distinctive resort-ranch.

Sit in the serene atmosphere of La Hacienda's lush tropical gardens, or join the trail riders in the clear smogless mountain foothills. The memories will be of some of the sweetest moments of your life.

RANCHO DE LA OSA, above. Rich in history and charm... La Osa Ranch... part of a Spanish Land Grant lies in a beautiful unspoiled and unpolluted valley 64 miles south of Tucson on the Mexican border. The riding is superb with countless miles of gently rolling country or mountain trails. Whether you prefer to lope along or simply ride to enjoy the lovely scenery, they have the horse for you. Experienced wranglers will guide you to Indian ruins, a ghost town or you may wish to try your hand at rounding up cattle. La Osa is a paradise for bird watchers. They have all the colorful birds of the Southwest, including the rare Golden Eagle.

DOUBLE U RANCH, above and left. Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains, just 15 miles from Tucson, the Double U offers all the advantages of fine appointments, plus genuine Western Atmosphere. Accommodations for 100 guests include continental cuisine, large heated pool, counselors for children during Christmas season, fully equipped play area and luxuriously furnished ranch type cottages. Activities include horseback riding, cookouts, .22 caliber pistol range, moonlight barbecues, square dancing, movies, television and card rooms.

WESTWARD LOOK, right. Situated in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains overlooking the city, Westward Look offers a beautiful, romantic setting for relaxed swimming, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, bird-watching, sitting in the therapeutic pool or just sunning on your own private patio. Riding and golf are found nearby. After enjoying dinner selected from the Continental menu in the beautiful Gold Room, spend the evening out under the stars, watching the twinkling lights of the city below or sitting in the Lookout Lounge listening or dancing to a combo LODGE ON THE DESERT, lower. This charming garden resort is situated in a beautiful eastside residential area, just ten minutes from downtown Tucson. The feeling of Old Mexico and the flavor of the Southwest have been captured within the patio walls of The Lodge with its unique architectural design. The atmosphere is that of a Mexican hacienda . . . adobe colored casas with their ocotillo covered porches. Accommodations are grouped around intimate patios which open onto spacious lawns and colorful gardens. Breakfast is served in your own room to your individual Order (during the American Plan winter season only). Luncheon and dinner are served in the attractive Mexican tiled dining rooms or around the lovely fountain patio. Heated swimming pool, cro-quet, darts, shuffleboards, picnics, cocktail lounge. Private and public golf courses are nearby. Fifteen lighted tennis courts are only one-half mile away. Congenial groups limited to 70 guests.

THE SKYLINE RESORT AND CLUB, a private area of over 600 acres, offers 83 luxurious guest suites. Many guests enjoy the fact that the club is within easy traveling distance to Nogales, Mexico, Phoenix, Tombstone and the internationally known Desert Museum. The resort itself, of course, offers multiple activities, including swimming, tennis, fishing and horseback riding.

The $150,000 Dean Martin Tucson Open is held at the Tucson National Country Club in mid-January. Golfing enthusiasts from around the world gather in ever-increasing numbers at this event which is sponsored by fifty civic minded individuals known as the Tucson Conquistadores. Sunshine and superb environment reward spectators and golfers alike.

OUR CHANGING WEST from page 16

Our Random House dictionary defines a dude ranch as a vacation resort. That definition best describes our Arizona guest ranch operations, where ranches without cows are the rule - without horses the exception. Western boots, blue jeans and saddles are the principal symbols of the ideal and the real at our guest ranches, many of which have evolved into major complete guest ranch resorts, according to the degree of synchronization to the social rthythms of the clientele. Today, golf, tennis, swimming and color TV complement the equestrian fare programmed to individual or group participation.

Most of the guest ranches and resort lodges located in the area represented in our portfolio are no more than an hour from Old Mexico, downtown Tucson, several National Parks and Monuments, Tombstone, Tubac and other prime scenic and historical sites. One of the most interesting adventures in Natural History rewards the visitor to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, minutes west of Tucson.

It is trite, but sure, that the ways of the Old West are slowly passing away. We who have lived the greater part of our lives in this century are especially aware of these changes, not because of what we see that remains, but by the growing absence of the ways and things we associated with the old western way of life. Never-the-less, there still remains a good bit of the "Old West" in our West. There are miles and miles of open country, gentle on a horse, easy on the eyes and relaxing to the emotions. As we think upon it, our New West is something else. You can pick wildflowers in the spring. Or watch wild birds teaching their young to fly, put yourself in the astronomer's chair at Kitt Peak National Observatory for an adventure into the mysteries of the universe, or sit on a hillside on a starlit night and dance your eyes between the city lights below and the countless stars above.

One does not need a horse, golfing gear or a tennis racquet to understand and appreciate the measure of health and happiness possible from a day on the desert. Put your ear to the ground on any spring day, just before dawn. In the vast silence between heaven and earth, you will hear the sounds of a new day being born. Life resumes anew with the rising sun. You cannot help but be unaware that something wonderful is happening to you. You feel sort of strange with yourself, because for a moment you enjoyed being a natural human and that is good. You have been touched by the spirit of the desert. If suddenly you begin to wonder how little you know about yourself and the world around you, that too is good, for true thought is good to the degree to which our views are attuned to the range and latitude between the ideal and the real. Fill your lungs with the clean, clear air, pungent with desert fragrance. You're hungry for pancakes, eggs and bacon and as you meander ranchward to the accompaniment of bird songs, you'll wonder whether your matinal reverie has been more fiction than real. That too is natural, because to seek love, peace and understanding in terms of human reality, one must begin with an ear-to-the-ground, eye-to-heaven relationship with nature.

The time of the Old West is gone, places have changed, and for better or for worse, most of the ideals have changed. We choose to think that, in spirit, the Old West lives forever, ready to enrich the hearts and minds of those who seek a quality in their lives that they cannot find in any other place or in a more ideal environment for soul-searching.

We regret that we cannot include all the guest ranches, resorts and lodges worthy of mention in the area represented in our portfolio. Omission is not intentional, but due to space and editorial limitations. And we assure our readers and prospective guests that Arizona guest ranch and resort operators are the best in the West. . . and then some.