Throughtful Reader

Then Manistee Ranch is a unique and interesting place to see if you are ever in Glendale, Arizona. The Ranch was built by Herbert W. Hamilton in 1897 and was known for its richness in fruits and dates.

Hamilton Era (1897-1907)

Hamilton was a baron from Wisconsin who was homesteading lands in what is now known as the City of Glendale which was founded by William John Murphy. Hamilton was attracted to the land because of the completion of the Arizona Canal in 1885. The canal allowed 100,000 acres of desert land to be opened up for potential homesteading and irrigation.

In 1897, Hamilton would control 320 acres of farmland in Glendale. He would convert it into a farm that would grow citrus and dates. The home that he would build was rather odd from the normal homes that were built around Glendale in the period. Hamilton had the home designed in “Queen Victoria Style” and had a “Sky Parlor”, which is a square windowed tower rising above the building’s center.

Sands Era (1907-1996)

In 1907 Hamilton would sell the farm to a gentleman named Louis M. Sands, a native from Manistee, Michigan. Sands was a businessman, and prominent businessman. Sands would name the ranch after his hometown. Sands would also develop farming techniques for rotating cattle pastures to work within the limits of the land that he owned.

Besides harvesting feed for the livestock, which included cattle, sheep, horses, ducks and chickens, the farm workers also harvested dates which at the time were sold for 25¢ a pound. Over 11 different species of palm trees were planted. Currently there are some palm trees on the property which are over 100 years old.

To find out more about the ranch, feel free to click on the links I posted below.

Sources

1. National Register of Historical Places
2. ^ Phoenix Magazine
3. ^ Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area Archived 2012-10-12 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ “Homestead National Monument: Frequently Asked Questions”. National Park Service.
5. ^ Jump up to:^a b Glendale, AZ
6. ^ Marker
7. ^ Jump up to:^a b c d Manistee Ranch Historic Park Archived 2012-10-12 at the Wayback Machine