H2217(IMSF-CNR)

ocr 19 1004

OCT 1 2 1995
Memorandum.

To: Superintendent, Chiricahua National Monument
From: Historical Landscape Architect, Santa Fe Support Office

Subject: Transmittal of Faraway Ranch Level 2 Cultural Landscape Inventory,
1999 CLAIMS database version

Alan — I am enclosing a copy of the Faraway Ranch Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI), as it appears in
the CLI computer database (CLAIMS) here in Santa Fe, for the park’s information and review. Lisa
Nicholas, a landscape architecture graduate student intern, entered the data from the 1997 University of
Arizona CLI directly into the computer, with some rearranging as needed to fit the CLAIMS format. So,
this hardcopy does not contain any new information or analysis, except some clarification on historic
vegetation. Because the CLAIMS version contains only some of the graphics from the University of
Arizona document, it does not replace or supercede the University of Arizona work.

As you know, CLI completion relates to park GPRA goals Ia7 and Ib2B. This CLI will be “GPRA
complete” when a Condition Assessment for the property is determined. The CLI uses the same criteria for
Condition as the RMP Guidelines; I am attaching a copy of the CLI Condition criteria, for your reference.
If you can let me know how you would rate the Faraway Ranch landscape in terms of condition, I will add
this to the computer file, and the CLI will be “GPRA complete.” Based on my last site visit, and knowing
that you have done some work on the corrals since then, I would estimate a “fair” condition for the
landscape as a whole, based on discussions at the park on work still needed within some of the landscape
areas. This is my estimation; the rating is your call. Also, if park staff have comments on the CLAIMS
version (e.g., updated information, corrections), I can also address these. If you have any questions about
how this CLI relates to your GPRA goals, feel free to contact me.

As I mentioned when the University of Arizona CLI was formally transmitted, I would be happy to assist
the park in any follow up work with the Arizona SHPO related to the Faraway Ranch cultural landscape
(e.g., proposed revision of National Register District boundary as mentioned in the CLI and illustrated in
the Boundary graphic on page 8 of the University of Arizona document).




Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature: NPS Visitor Parking Lot
Feature Identification Number: 105912
Type of Feature Contribution: Non-Contributing

Landscape Characteristic Graphics:

(-SAMEGPR CUNY

erTA POR? CAEMD: aa
a, a
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Len TRANCE ERICESON FAMILY
10 HCHUMENT CaMerr ERY

noo
Faraway Ranch Circulation Patterns, 1997: The main historic area which includes the
Faraway Ranch buildings, corral, windmill, orchards, and the Stafford Cabin are
accessible both by footpatha and paved road.

Constructed Water Features
FARAWAY RANCH WINDMILLS AND WATER TANK (RESERVOIR)

Faraway Ranch contains a windmill located southwest of the bam. It is one of the first

features visitors see as they enter the ranch today. It is located adjacent to a water tank or
reservoir, which measures approximately 104 feet east to west with a height between 5 feet 10
inches to 6 feet. The width of the interior area of the tank measures approximately 72 feet
running east and west and 88 feet running north and south. According to the National Register
Nomination form: “It consists of a standard pyramidal metal frame surmounted by a small
platform and a metal bladed windmill.” (Chappell, item #7, p. 12, 1976). Neil Erickson
constructed this windmill around 1896, shortly after they moved to the canyon. He drew up
plans for the tower, obtained a windmill from Mrs. Rhoda Riggs, and solicited help assembling it
from neighbors that included Ja Hu Stafford (Torres and Baumler, 1984). It was also noted that
the windmill broke down frequently and fairly costly supplies were often purchased for its
repair (Torres and Baumler, 1984). In a letter written by Lillian Riggs to a “Mr. Anderson” she
stated: “The windmill needs watching and one must be releathered soon.” (WACC, Faraway
Ranch Archival Material). The wind through the canyon had such a force that the windmill had
to be tumed off many times (Torres and Baumler, 1984).

Rocks currently surround the tank adjacent to the windmill on three sides (north, west and east)

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 27 of 60


Table of Contents

Inventory Unit Summary & Site Plan
Concurrence Status

Geographic Information and Location Map
Management Information

National Register Information

Chronology & Physical History

Analysis & Evaluation of Integrity:
Condition

Treatment

Bibliography & Supplemental information





Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Boundary Description

At present, recommend that the ranch landscape boundary follow the political land ownership boundaries
as established by the original 160 acre homestead, plus 53.96 acres of the Stafford homestead. The
additional Stafford land includes the orchard adjacent and to the east of the original Erickson homestead
and west of the Stafford cabin. Lillian Erickson purchased the entire Stafford homestead in 1918, however
it was subdivided in 1945. 80 acres of the property on the east end of the Stafford land was sold to a group
of investors who created the Silver Spur Ranch.

Regional Context

Physiographic Context

The ranch is located in Bonita Canyon on the west slopes of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastem
Arizona. The upper reaches of this rhyolite box canyon are steep and narrow, but the lower portion is a
quarter of a mile across and contains a significant floodplain.

Cultural Context

The Faraway Ranch was established and developed by a Swedish family-Emma and Neil Erickson. It is
highly probable that features representative of the Swedish cultural tradition will be identified as
characteristic of Faraway Ranch landscape. The family continued operation and management of the
property through the 20th century as the Erickson's daughter took over management and converted the
farmstead/ranch to a guest house operation during the early 1920's.

Political Context
Administered by the National Park Service.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 4 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

years of residence. It appears that Emma Erickson was the driving force behind the decision to file for the
homestead in Bonita Canyon (Torres and Baumler, 1984), however only one person was permitted to file
for each homestead, and Neil Erickson’s name is the one found on the documents.

The Erickson homestead was entered, or granted, on November 22, 1894). The legal description is: The
South half of the South East quarter and the South half of the South West quarter of section twenty-
seven, in Township sixteen South, of Range twenty-nine, East of the Gila and Salt. River Meridian in
Arizona Territory, containing one hundred and sixty acres.

Southeastern Arizona was opened to American homesteaders following the 1853 Gadsden Purchase. Ja
Hu Stafford homesteaded in the valley as early as 1880, building a log cabin along Bonita Creek. By
1886 he had added a chicken house, smoke house, corral, orchard, and four-acre garden. In 1885 an
ancillary tent camp was set up by the American military in lower Bonita Canyon to assist in the final
campaign against the Apaches. This camp was maintained until Geronimo’s surrender in 1886. The only
tangible remains of the tent camp consisted of a monument of engraved stones, built by the soldiers to
commemorate assassinated President Garfield. The monument is no longer standing, but the stones have
been incorporated into a fireplace in the Faraway Ranch dining room.

Neil and Emma Erickson filed their homestead claim in 1896, and moved into the cabin in 1888. The
cabin underwent many additions throughout the years, ultimately becoming a 2-story structure. Other
ranch structures included the “Cowboy House”, a storage shed, bam, tool shed, generator house,
garage/storage unit, garage/office space, bunkhouse/guest quarters, swimming pool, windmill, water tank,
stone wall, corral, fences, chutes, gates, water trough, pig pen, cobblestone-edged paths, bridge, roads,
well, orchards, gardens, and eventually a cemetery. The family raised cattle and other livestock essential
for subsistence. They also planted and irrigated two large orchard areas as well as numerous fruit trees
around the ranch compound. A large irrigated two vegetable garden also provided food for the family.
Surplus from the garden was sold or traded at fort Bowie. A stock tank fed by a windmill was
constructed as were pastures and corrals for livestock. Several structures from the site’s early history are
no linger standing but remain as archeological resources. These include the Martha Stark House, a
chicken house and pens, and a frame and wire pen of unknown function.

As is common with vernacular sites, modifications and alterations were constantly underway. The
Stafford Cabin received an addition in 1881-5, another in 1897-9 and a third in 1910, The Erickson’s
home and its associated buildings and structures at Faraway Ranch also went through numerous changes
(Torres and Baumler, 1984).

Following in their parent’s footsteps, the Erickson sisters took over management of the property and
Lillian and Hildegard actively maintained the orchard and vegetable garden, selling much of the produce
to make ends meet financially. In 1918 they acquired the adjacent lands of the Stafford homestead and
began to develop the property as a guest ranch. Hildegard eventually married and moved away. Lillian
married Ed Riggs in 1923 and together they continued making numerous changes to Faraway Ranch
(Livingston, 1994).

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 2) Page 3 of 3


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Chronology & Physical History

Cultural Landscape Type and Use

Cultural Landscape Type: Vernacular
Current and Historic Use/Function:
Primary Historic Function: Livestock
Primary Current Use: Recreation/Culture-Other
Other Use/Function Other Type of Use or Function
Lodge (Inn, Cabin) Historic
Outdoor Recreation-Other Historic
Single Family House Historic
Current and Historic Names:
Name Type of Name
Faraway Ranch Both Current And Historic
Lower Bonita Ranch Historic
Ethnographic Study Conducted: No Survey Conducted

Ethnographic Significance Description:

Although no survey has been conducted, park staff have received some initial information regarding
cultural traditions associated with the Swedish families that are evident on site. The only known
example of this is the color of the paints used on the family residences. Other ethnographic and cultural
traditions may be associated with the site and its associated landscape.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 17 of 60


SONI 7-4

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Tlook forward to continuing to work with you and your staff on the on-going CCC landscape and Fort
Bowie Level 2 CLIs, and assisting with any cultural landscape compliance issues.

14 Sal Corser

Enclosures (2)

ce:

Alan Whalon, Chiricahua National Monument, w/o encls.
Kathryn Neilson, Chiricahua National Monument, w/o encls.
Robert Spude, IMSF-CNR, w/o encls.

pave Evans, SOAR, w/o encls.


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

1925 - 1935 Altered

1927 Altered

1928 Built

1930 Built

1930 Built

1934 Land Transfer
1945 Purchased/Sold
1955 Purchased/Sold
1955 Removed

1973 Abandoned
1978 Expanded

Ed Riggs remodeled the exterior and interior of the
Stafford cabin

Interior plumbing installed in Faraway Ranch
New corrals and shed built

Cowboy house built

Second story added to ranch house

Ed and Lillian leased land to the Civilian Conservation
Corps

Lillian Riggs sold 80 acres at the east end of the
Stafford Homestead to a group of investors who
created Silver Spurs Ranch

Lillian Riggs subdivided and sold the remaining parcel
of the Stafford homestead, retaining 53.96 acres

Gas generated lighting system at Faraway Ranch is
removed and replaced by carbide and kerosene lamps

Ranch business ended

Public Law 95-625 authorized expansion of Chiricahua
National Monument to include Faraway Ranch

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1)

Page 9 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

“Neil: Served five years in the Army during the Indian Wars and then twenty five years as an
officer in the United States Forest Service.”

Emma Sophia’s plaque inscription reads as follows:

“Emma Sophia: As wife, mother, friend, God’s spirit was imbued within her. Perils of Indian
warfare, incessant toil and loneliness, of a pioneer land: nothing daunted her, this valiant lady,
our mother.” (Torres and Baumler, 104, 1984).

According to a June 30, 1951 bill from Tucson Marble and Granite Company, Emma Sophia’s
plaque “fastened in place at grave” cost $55.00 (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Files).

Ben’s burial spot has a traditional veteran’s headstone and reads:
“Louis Benton Erickson, CPL US Army, WWI, 189] (a cross symbol) 1978.

Ben’s grave area is the only one that contains stones placed in a circle outlining the grave itself.

Hildegarde was cremated and her ashes scattered in the Wilderness of Rocks. However a
plaque commemorating her is affixed to the fence and reads as follows:

“Hildegard Erickson Hutchison, April 27, 1895-July 22, 1978, Youngest Child of Neil and Emma
Erickson, Bom at Faraway Ranch, Daughter of Pioneers and child of the Chiricahua
Mountains, her smile and her spirit have returned forever to the land she loved.”

A site visit conducted in March of 1996 revealed the gravesite to be in good condition, with one
Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) and one alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) shading
the site. Large rocks exist at the southern side of the gravesite (site visit, 1996).

There are two graves within the boundaries of the district that are not of the Erickson family.
The presence of Louis Prue ,who was buried in 1892, just outside the iron fence. Prue settled
near the canyon and wished to be buried at the mouth of the canyon, which also became the
resting site for the Ericksons. The grave marker is distinctively different from those on the
Erickson’s plots and lies under an oak tree. It contains the following inscription: “Louis
Prue/Died Dec 16,1892/Aged/49 Yrs and 6 Ms.” The following quotation illustrates Neil
Erickson’s response to Mr. Prue’s death and burial. He was traveling in Bisbee when this
letter was sent to Emma:

“Tam sorry to hear of Mr. Prue’s death, that it should happen in such a way, but our journey’s
end in this world is soon reached and therefore we should all make the best of the life while we
do live... At any rate, give my respect to Mrs. Prue that I feel as much as any one the loss of a
good friend and neighbor, but I am pleased to hear that you have fulfilled his last wish and laid
him to rest under the oak on the hillside.” (Torres and Baumler, 103, 1984).

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 34 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

a review of photographs, maps, and documents located at the Chiricahua National
Monument Headquarters and at the Western Archeological Conservation Center
(WACC). The methods used were not exhaustive as a considerable amount of research
and information exists on the Ericksons and their homestead. The historical information
provided is therefore a brief overview of the work done by historians and archeologists.

The original CLI was completed by a University of Arizona student team with Carla
Singer, Michal Tincup and Steven White. This CLI was based on this previous work.
Data entry into CLAIMS was completed 8/99 by L. Nicholas, student intern, Cultural
Landscapes Program, Santa Fe Support Office. During the process of data entry,
information in the report was re-organized or repeated to fit the format of CLAIMS.

Cultural Landscapes inventory (Part 4) Page 2 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

has an 11% slope from the south end to the north end of the 47’ X 136” fenced area, The
entire area is outlined by stones, and has a low, 2’3” high stone wall along the south end,
adjacent to the fenced yard. The first terraced area is 26” south to north and retained by a 1”
stone edge. The second terraced area begins immediately below that. There is no sign of its
previous use, however there are remains of an irrigation sprinkler on the top terrace.

Within the fenced yard, on the east side is a narrow, single terrace that appears to have been.
created for purely decorative purposes. The terrace was built with stones in the same fashion
as is found elsewhere on the property and includes three stones from the Garfield Monument.
The approximate slope of the land from the house to the fence is 10%.

There is an area to the west of the Cowboy House that appears to have been leveled. Nothing
is known about the purpose for which it was intended and park personnel could only speculate
on its reason for existing. Features that are associated with this area include broken farm tools,
stones, rock piles, and a possible hearth.

Vegetation

Upon her arrival, Emma Erickson was quite taken by the natural beauty of Bonita Canyon.
Large trees were found in abundance and the native grasses were knee high (Leavengood,
1995).

There are a multitude of plant materials and vegetation features present at Faraway Ranch. At
present, the canyon is being invaded by Juniper (Juniperus sp.) as well as other native
vegetation. Juniper (Juniperus sp.) in the canyon today is found in a large part of the “lower
orchard” area as well as throughout the site. Historical photographs show no evidence that
juniper was widespread throughout the canyon during the time of peak fruit production by the
Erickson’s and Stafford. However, it should be noted that in Lillian Riggs’ novel, Westward
Into The Sun, she frequently describes the presence of juniper in the canyon during their early
years (Riggs, 1979). As mentioned earlier, the use of fire by the Chiricahua Apaches
suppressed the presence of invasive woody plants in grasslands (Hirt, 1989). Perhaps, this
explains the assumption that juniper was not as pervasive at the time Stafford and Erickson
homesteaded in the canyon.

Descriptions documenting the vegetation of Faraway Ranch begin at the entrance to the ranch
site and move eastward. Currently the entrance vegetation is comprised primarily of native
grasses (Sporobolus spp. and Equisetum spp.), juniper (Juniperus sp.), cypress (Cupressus sp.),
oak (Quercus spp.), and cholla (Opuntia bigelovii). In her novel, Lillian Riggs describes the
presence of cypress trees, wild grasses, and oaks growing on the mountainsides (Riggs, 1979).
The vegetation around the corral today consists of native grasses (Sporobolus spp. and
Equisetum spp.), cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), juniper (Juniperus spp.), and sycamore (Platanus
spp.) trees. The interior paths running eastward towards Faraway Ranch today contain mainly
yucca (Agavacea), juniper (Juniperus spp.), cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), and oak trees (Quercus
spp.). There are seven apricot trees behind the garage and in front of the cowboy cabin
running along Newton’s Wash.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 41 of 60


Contents

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Hierarchy Description
Component Landscape Description

Location Map

Boundary Description

Regional Context

Site Plan

Chronology

Statement Of Significance

History

Analysis And Evaluation



Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature Identification Number:
‘Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

105921

Contributing

60161

Emma Erickson Grave Marker
GRD002D

Feature: Faraway Ranch Stone Fence

Feature Identification Number:
‘Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: Fences, Chutes and Gates

Feature Identification Number:
‘Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: Footbridge
Feature Identification Number:
‘Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

105922

Contributing

60163

Faraway Ranch Stone Fence

FEAF-13

105923

Contributing

56620

Faraway Ranch Corral and Chute
FEAF-14A

105924

Contributing

16042

Faraway Ranch Foot Bridge
FEAF-20

Feature: Infant Daughter's Grave Marker

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

105925

Contributing

56633

Infant Daughter's Grave Marker
FEAF-25

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 37 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Location Map

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Faraway Ranch is located off state highways 186 and 187 in Chiricahua National Monument

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 3 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Descriptive And Geographic Information

Historic Name(s):

Current Name(s):
Management Unit:
Tract Numbers:
State and County:
Size (acres):

Faraway Ranch
Lower Bonita Ranch

Faraway Ranch
Faraway Ranch Historic District

Cochise County, AZ
213.96

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 3 of 16




Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 47 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Topography

Bonita Canyon provided an ideal topographical setting for the Ericksons in terms of having both level
ground upon which to build and farm, and unique rock formations in the immediate surrounding
mountains to capture the interest and imagination of guests from all parts of the United States.

There is little evidence of manipulation of the land to accommodate the Erickson homestead. Those areas
that today show change include: a small terraced area immediately to the north of the swimming pool
where a vegetable garden was located, a narrow, single terrace running along the east side of the home
and within the fenced yard; and a leveled area to the west of the cowboy house.

The terraced area to the west of the swimming pool, where the vegetable garden was located, has an 11%
slope from the south end to the north end of the 47’ X 136” fenced area. The entire area is outlined by
stones, and has a low, 2’3” high stone wall along the south end, adjacent to the fenced yard. The first
terraced area is 26° south to north and retained by a 1’ stone edge. The second terraced area begins
immediately below that. There is no sign of its previous use, however there are remains of an irrigation
sprinkler on the top terrace.

Within the fenced yard, on the east side is a narrow, single terrace that appears to have been created for
purely decorative purposes. The terrace was built with stones in the same fashion as is found elsewhere
on the property and includes three stones from the Garfield Monument. The approximate slope of the land
from the house to the fence is 10%.

There is an area to the west of the Cowboy House that appears to have been leveled. Nothing is known
about the purpose for which it was intended and park personnel could only speculate on its reason for
existing. Features that are associated with this area include broken farm tools, stones, rock piles, and a
possible hearth.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 8 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Regional Context:
Type of Context: Cultural

Description:

‘The Faraway Ranch was established and developed by a Swedish family-Emma and Neil
Erickson. It is highly probable that features representative of the Swedish cultural tradition will
be identified as characteristic of Faraway Ranch landscape. The family continued operation
and management of the property through the 20th century as the Erickson's daughter took over
management and converted the farmstead/ranch to a guest house operation during the early
1920's.

Type of Context: — Physiographic
Description:
The ranch is located in Bonita Canyon on the west slopes of the Chiricahua Mountains in

southeastern Arizona. The upper reaches of this rhyolite box canyon are steep and narrow, but
the lower portion is a quarter of a mile across and contains a significant floodplain.

Type of Context: Political
Description:
Administered by the National Park Service.

Management Unit: Faraway Ranch Historic District

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 10 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Site Plan

Faraway Ranch National Register Boundary

Cultural Landscapes inventory Page 3 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

edge of the homestead. No visible signs of Stafford’s vegetable garden exist today. Native
grasses primarily surround the Stafford Cabin.

The following list of contributing vegetation at Faraway Ranch was compiled by
cross-referencing the University of Arizona student group’s work with the work of Peter
Kumble who did the Restorative Vegetation Recommendations (hard Copy, IMSF), Both

Kumble and the student group support their findings through historic photographs as well as.
written records. Both base some of their finding on the Torres and Baumer’s Historic Structure
Report, Historical and Archeological Data Sections, A History of the Buildings and Structures
of Faraway Ranch, Chiracahua National Monument, Arizona, 1984. Finally, both the UA
student team and Kumble focus on the vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the main Ranch
House, although the former does discuss native and more remote vegetation.

Contributing vegetation is vegetation whose historic existence has been confirmed through
historic photographs or written accounts. More research is needed to determine the status of
the following species: elm, cottoneaster, virginia creeper, and vinca.

Character-defining Features:
Feature: Persimmon trees
Feature Identification Number: 128853
Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
Feature: Bridal Wreath Spirea
Feature Identification Number: 105931

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

Feature: Existing Native Vegetation, including Juniper, Dropseed Grass, Buffalo Grass,
Oak, Cholla and Yucca

Feature Identification Number: 105932

‘Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
Feature: Orchard Trees

Feature Identification Number: 105933

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
Feature: Pyrocantha

Feature Identification Number: 105934

‘Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

Feature: Velvet Ash

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 44 of 60


Faraway Ranch

Chiricahua National Monument

Chronology

Year Event
1870-1879 = Moved

1880 - 1918 Homesteaded
1885-1886 — Retained

1886 Purchased/Sold
1887 Built

1888 Established
1894 Homesteaded
1899 Built
1915-1916 Built

1917 Established
1918 Purchased/Sold
1920-1929 Expanded

1924 Established
1925 Built
1925-1929 Built

1925 - 1929 Moved

Description

Settlers enter Sulphur Spring Valley, including Louis
Prue & Brannick Riggs

Stafford Years, one of the first Anglo American
settlers settles in Bonita Canyon

Buffalo soldiers occupied Bonita Canyon
Original cabin purchased by Emma Peterson
Stone room built

Stafford orchard established

Homestead granted to Neil Erickson

Box house built (Main Faraway Ranch House)
Adobe house built (Main Faraway Ranch House)

Hildegard and Lillian started guest ranch business at
Faraway Ranch

Lillian and Hildegard Erickson purchased Stafford
homestead

Guest ranch business expanded

Chiricahua National Monument Established
Porch built

Swimming pool built by Ed Riggs

The Bunkhouse, which had been an addition to the
Stafford cabin, was detached from the cabin and moved
to its present location

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1)

Page 8 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Spatial Organization

The original 160 acre Erickson homestead is located along Bonita Creek, on the northwestem edge of the
Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. By 1902 a cluster of homesteads had appeared in the

area on adjacent lands.

The main house and associated buildings are situated to the south of Bonita Creek, on the floor of a
narrow canyon. The Erickson family cemetery is located to the west of the complex, at the mouth of
Bonita Canyon. The canyon opens to a wide valley. The town of Willcox is approximately 35 miles
northwest of Faraway Ranch.

Faraway Ranch was operated as a cattle ranch and guest ranch. The cattle business was supplemented by
successful guest ranching which continued from 1918 through the 1970’s. Work areas associated with
cattle ranching and horse care, i.¢., corrals, stables, and bunkhouse, are to the west and northwest of the
main house. This may be due to the proximity to the valley and the highway to Willcox, one of the towns
to which cattle were trucked for slaughter (Leavengood, 1995).

Cattle ranching activity near the main house at Faraway Ranch was limited, mainly involving branding
and the preparation of cattle for shipment elsewhere. Two areas, owned by Ed Riggs. were mentioned in
oral histories where cattle was grazed: one the Double Z Ranch near Apache Pass, used for winter grazing
and the Holderman Ranch for summer grazing (Leavengood, 1995),

Horses that were provided for guests were kept near the main house. A tack room is connected to a corral
to the northwest of the main house.

The main house is oriented on a north/south axis with the vegetable garden and swimming pool to the
north and the main orchard to the east. This created a pastoral scene for guests to view from inside the
house or while relaxing in the yard. The main house, which provided sleeping quarters and eating areas
for guests, is located at the mouth of a canyon, leading into the Wonderland of Rocks and Providing trails
for horseback riding.

The Stafford homestead to the east of the Erickson homestead was purchased by the Erickson daughters,
Lillian and Hildegarde. The Stafford cabin was used by Lillian and Ed Riggs for guest accommodations
during years the guest ranch was operating.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 3 of 22


National Park Service
Cultural Landscapes Inventory
1998

Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument



Faraway Ranch

Chiricahua National Monument

General Management Information

Management Category:

Management Category Date:

Explanatory Narrative:
Condition Assessment And Impacts aw 4
(>t) 5 ye ‘ Pecen
Condition Assessment: 1 V2 p
Level Of Impact Severity: . Moderate
Impact:
Type of Impact: Neglect
Internal/External: Internal
Description:

Many of the fences have deteriorated over time. Other features such as the water tank
adjacent to the windmill are in a state if disrepair.

Type of Impact: Removal/Replacement
Internal/External: Internal
Description:

A high percentage of trees in the orchard have died and planting organization in the
orchards and gardens is no longer discernible.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4) Page 7 of 16


JUL-25-01 WED

2:40 PM

Relationship of CLI to ICAP

The Inventory and Condition Assessment Pr¢gram
(ICAP), a module of the Maintenance Management
{MM) program, assists In planning for the
maintenance and major treatment of culjdral
landscapes through an inventory and
assessment of their features. ICAP
annual inspection forms and other re
@ preventive maintenance progral
data into the park MM program. It(s a computerized
and systematic process for guidjig maintenance
and operations of NPS assets (6ulldings, roads,
trails and walks, grounds and Jandscapes, outdoor
sculpture) at the park level.

ICAP organizes its information on the basis of
assets and features. The(CLI organizes its
Information on the basis Af landscapes, landscape
features, component lafdscapes, and component
landscape features. This organization may or may
* not be parallel with [QAP (i.e., a landscape may be
physicafly divided fgf maintenance differently from
jiyides it based on historicat
significance). It is/impartant to consult with the
park's Chief of Maintenance to understand how the
landscape is mdintained and to identify how the
information in fie CLI can best serve maintenance.
However, the first priority for organizing the
information i the CL! should be the historical
significance/and character of the landscape as
defined by/the professionals conducting the work.

Informatign collected in the CL! may interface with
is interface will consist of uploading
CLI information (contained in CLAIMS)

ugon discussions among park management, the
hief of Maintenance, and the appropriate CLI
ordinator. The “Maintenance Management
Code” provides the link between the CLI and ICAP
and MM.

FAX NO,

9
Conpition ASSESSMENTS AND
IMPACTS

P

Condition Assessment

Indicate the current condition of the inventory
unit based on criteria listed in the Resource
Management Plan Guideline and Software
Manual (1994). Select one of the following
categories:

Good: indicates the inventory unit shows no
clear evidence of major negative disturbance
_and deterioration by natural and/or human
forces, The inventory unit’s cultural and natural
values are as well preserved as can be expected
under the given environmental conditions. No
immediate corrective action is required to
maintain its current condition.

Fair: indicates the inventory unit shows clear
evidence of minor disturbances and
deterioration by natural and/or human forces,
and some degree of corrective action is needed
within 3-5 years to prevent further harm to its
cultural and/or natural values. If left to continue
without the appropriate corrective action, the
cumulative effect of the deterioration of many of
the character defining elements, will cause the
inventory unit to degrade to a poor condition.

Poor: indicates the inventory unit shaws clear
evidence of major disturbance and rapid
deterioration by natural and/or human forces.
Immediate corrective action is required to
protect and preserve the remaining historical
and natural values.

Unknown: Not enough information is available
to make an evaluation.

Note: The condition of the inventory unit must
be determined at the completion of Level Il:

. Landscape Analysis and Evaluation, but may

be undetermined during prior inventory work

PAVE ENANS

Pe ES Bi 7

poor FaxNote _7671 a (ie., Levels 0 and I). Condition shoutd be
Pave. Edseuite Jit c. based on consultation and concurrence with
Co.ibept. Eo. park management.
18 PI a
ial jd ae -6E7 (See Relationship of the CLI to NPS Strategic
52D ZU - SS Planning and GPRA)

62 Cultural Landscapes Inventory Professional Procedures Guide


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

significance, and integrity of park cultural landscapes. However, the scope of the CLI is limited
by the need to achieve concurrence with the park superintendent resolve eligibility questions
when a National Register nomination does not exist or the nomination inadequately addresses
the eligibility of the landscape characteristics. Ideally, a park’s CLI work (which many include
multiple inventory units) precedes a CLR because the baseline information in the CLI not only
assists with priority setting when more than one CLR is needed it also assists with determining
more accurate scopes of work.

In contrast, the CLR is the primary treatment document for significant park landscapes. It,
therefore, requires an additional level of research and documentation both to evaluate the
historic and the existing condition of the landscape in order to recommend preservation
treatment that meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic

properties.

‘The scope of work for a CLR, when the CLI has not been done, should include production of
the CLI record. Depending on its age and scope, existing CLR’s are considered the primary
source for the history, statement of significance, and descriptions of contributing resources that
are necessary to complete a CLI record.

Inventory Unit Description:

This historic vernacular landscape dates from the late nineteenth century and continued to be occupied
by descendants of the Erickson family until the mid 1970°s. The landscape includes the main ranch
house complex with the family residence and associated structures including the bam, various sheds, a
garage, a bunkhouse, wells, an earthen reservoir, a corral, and fruit tree orchards. Also within the
residential complex area is a swimming pool built by the family in 1923 and fed by diverted well water.

To the east of the residential complex are the remnants of an orchard and the former site of the
family’s vegetable garden. There are also traces of field roads, cobblestone edged paths, irrigation
ditches, and a well,

The historic Stafford cabin is approximately a quarter mile east of the Erickson’s primary residential
complex. The Stafford homestead of 160 acres was adjacent to the Erickson homestead, in section 26
of township 16 south, range 29 east. This homestead was purchased by Lillian and Hildegarde Erickson
jn 1918 and combined with the family’s property. The Stafford land was subdivided first in 1945 and
again in 1955, Lillian (Erickson) Riggs retained the parcel of Jand that included the historic Stafford
cabin.

Approximately one mile to the southwest of the main complex is the Erickson family cemetery which
consists of two fenced rectangular enclosures, plantings, and four headstones

See hardcopy Level II CLI completed by C. Singer et al for additional information, references, and
maps.

(Park Report Cover Image - 1996 view of Bonita Canyon Looking West. Faraway Ranch house in
upper left, Stafford Cabin in lower right)

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 2 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua Natlonal Monument

Agreements, Legal Interest, And Access

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4) Page 8 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

traveled to Bonita Canyon in September of 1885 (Bowers, no date). Their main responsibility
was to serve in the Indian Wars. A secondary responsibility was to serve as mail couriers.

Land use associated with Ja Hu Stafford was primarily that of farming, with an orchard and
garden providing most of the income for the family. The vegetable garden was planted to the
east of the cabin in the Silver Spur Meadow. This garden, however, is not visible at the present
time. Ja Hu made use of horses in the canyon to accomplish his work. The existence of two
horses and 18 chickens can be dated to April 16, 1882 in a letter written by Pauline Stafford
(Livingston, 1994). In later letters to her father, she encouraged him to bring cattle to the
canyon for additional income. She stated: “...Thier (sic) are scarcely any good cows here at
all and none to sell.” (Livingston, 11, 1994). However, cattle were documented in records at
Stafford Cabin (Livingston, 1994). It has been noted that Ja Hu Stafford supplied fruits and
vegetables to the soldiers at Fort Bowie while Louis Prue provided beef (Bowers, no date).

Land use associated with the Ericksons at Faraway Ranch consisted primarily of ranching and
farming. They cultivated fruit orchards as well as managed cattle. A small vegetable garden
was also part of their land use. Neil also used the site for various carpentry projects conducted
for income. However, around 1918, the use of the land shifted towards tourism/guest house
and ranch operations. Hildegard and Lillian Erickson, daughters of Neil and Emma Erickson,
purchased the Stafford property in 1918. The Stafford cabin was used as additional lodging for
workers and in later years was rented to guests (Leavengood, 1988). In 1923, Lillian married
Ed Riggs and together they promoted and expanded Faraway Ranch as a guest/dude ranch
(Leavengood, 1995). The highpoint for Faraway as a guest ranch was between 1920 and 1940
when 10 or more guests per week received accommodations (Fox, 1995). In 1934, Ed and
Lillian leased land to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and extended trails through the
“Wonderland of Rocks” (Leavengood, 1995). The CCC crew with Ed Riggs serving as trail
foreman constructed numerous buildings, trails and roads after the establishment of the
Chiricahua National Monument in 1924, Upon Ed’s death on June 29, 1950, Lillian continued to
manage Faraway Ranch with additional hired ranch workers.

Natural Systems and Features

‘The homestead included a water source, Bonita Creek, flat land for limited agriculture, and
provided an abundance of trees and rocks that were used for building materials. Oral histories
mention a natural hot spring used by Ja Hu Stafford for irrigating vegetables year round,
However, the spring is said to have disappeared following an earthquake in 1887 (Leavengood,
1995).

Ed Riggs constructed two water storage tanks on the southern side of Bonita Canyon that
provided potable water as well as proper water pressure once indoor plumbing was installed
(Nielsen, interview, 1996). The water table was high and various wells were constructed
around the property.

Small Scale Features

Small scale historic features are documented from various time periods throughout the Faraway
Ranch Historic District and include the ranch cemetery, windmill, wells, fences, walls, matates,

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 32 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

The main house of Faraway Ranch contains a lawn area and additional shrubs and trees. Fruit trees were
placed adjacent to the main house and lined on the east side of the house and west side of the pool. There
are five fruit trees immediately cast of the ranch, four being newly planted. An additional four fruit trees
are located parallel to the orchard. Currently, there are two shrubs, Spiraea prunifolia, simplicflora
(Bridal Wreath Spiraea) located on either side of the entrance path inside the Faraway Ranch lawn area.
These can be seen in current and historical photographs dating back to the early 1900’s. In addition, there
are two potted mints located by the eastern door of the screened porch and the north side of the same
porch. The orchard along the northern side of Faraway Ranch measures approximately 138°6” by 74°6”
and consists today of cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), native grasses (Sporobolus spp. and Equisetum spp.),
junipers (Juniperus sp.) along the comers, one Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash) and one Pyrus communis
(common pear). According to historic photographs, some orchard trees were planted in a grid pattern.

The following is a listing of species (with scientific names followed by common names) found within the
* fenced areas adjacent to the Faraway Ranch Main House during a site visit in March of 1996.
Identification was determined from site visits, and sample identification with direction from Dr. Margaret
Livingston, instructor in the Landscape Architecture Program at the University of Arizona (site visit,
1996 and M. Livingston, 1996). Refer to Supplemental Information for information provided by Kumble
regarding existing (1984) and historic vegetation. .

GROUND COVERS:
1. Vinca major (Periwinkle)
2. Buchole dactyloides (Buffalo Grass)

VINE SPECIES:
3. Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

SHRUB SPECIES:

4. Spiraea prunifolia (Bridal Wreath Spirea)

5. Cotoneaster hupehensis (Hupeh Cotoneaster)
6. Pyracantha species Cultivar (Pyracantha)

TREE SPECIES:

7. Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash)

8. Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)

9. Pyrus communis (Common Pear)

10. Prunus species (Apricot)

11. Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress)

A noteworthy vegetation site (though not part of the original 160 acre Erickson homestead) is the “lower
orchard” which was planted by the Staffords before the Ericksons moved into the canyon. The Staffords
planted a variety of fruit trees and depended on the income from the sale of this produce to the army at
Fort Bowie and to various neighbors (Chappell, 1976). This orchard was planted in a grid pattern and
extended from the Stafford cabin westward to the Erickson ranch, encompassing about two acres
(Livingston, 1994). It contained a variety of fruits including pears, peaches, apples, and persimmons.
Although early plantings of the trees were plagued by frost, crops were continually produced each year
(Livingston, 1994). Evidence of the remnants of these fruit trees can be seen on site today. Historic
photographs also illustrate the orchard when it was in use. In addition, a row of eight cypress (Cupressus
spp.) trees is located running north and south directly westward from the Stafford Cabin. These can also

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 10 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Land Use

Prior to the establishment of Faraway Ranch by Neil and Emma Erickson, the Chiricahua Apaches
utilized the land in this area. These indigenous people left little evidence of their existence, traveling
frequently from site to site throughout the mountains. They relied mainly on desert food sources. Meat,
was provided by deer, mules, sheep, and cows (Utley, 1977). “They engaged in an active relationship
with the plants, animals, and physical features of their landscape, blurring the boundaries between human
and nonhuman worlds. They imbued everything with personality, purpose, and power. Coyotes, spiders,
pollen (a sacred substance), and mountains were often accorded the same respect as neighbors and
relatives” (Hirt, 171, 1989). A more detailed discussion about the Chiricahua Apaches is presented in the
historical context section of this report.

Bahre discusses a 1902 report titled “Report of an Examination of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona”,
produced by Albert F. Potter and Royal S. Kellogg of the Forestry Bureau of the General Land Office
(GLO) to the Arizona Territory (Bahre, 1995). This report outlined land use practices in the Chiricahuas
around the turn of the century. According to that report the major land uses contributing to the evolution
of the southeast Arizona landscape were: livestock grazing, mining, logging, and fuelwood cutting (Bahre,
1995).

Eleven sawmills were operating in the Chiricahua’s in 1879 with approximately 30 percent of the forest
being logged (Bahre, 1995). Kellogg specified that “the 50,000 acres of coniferous forest in the
Chiricahuas constituted the single largest acreage of coniferous forest on any mountain in Arizona south
of the Mogollon Rim.” (Bahre, 1995). Kellogg ultimately concluded from his report that “abusive
logging practices led to erosion and possible desiccation of some streams.” (Bahre, 1995).

Fuelwood cutting was practiced throughout the Chiricahua’s primarily using Mesquite (Prosopis spp.),
Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica), and evergreen woodlands. Wood was the major fuel for the
country until 1910 (Bahre, 1995). According to Bahre, “,. juniper (Juniperus spp.), mesquite, and desert
willow (Chilopsis linearis) were cut for fenceposts, to make wood corrals, and along with oak (Quercus
spp.) to burn lime for cement and to kiln bricks.” (Bahre, 43, 1995). The Daily Tombstone (November
22, 1886) also verified the land use, “Attention Ranchmen: Shakes, shingles, etc. for sale from mill at the
head of Morse Canyon...Juniper timbers 30 feet in length...” Bahre goes on to state, “The latter were
most likely cut from large Arizona cypress because there were no junipers large enough to cut 30-foot
beams from in southeastern Arizona.” (Bahre, 43, 1995).

Fire frequency decreased at the turn of the century. In fact, fire suppression and overgrazing were
encouraged by forest managers (Bahre, 1995). There has been an increase in biomass due to fire
Suppression. Bahre concludes, “Probably the greatest ecological change in the Chiricahuas since the
advent of large-scale livestock ranching has been the change in the fire regime from frequent small surface
fires to occasional large crown fires.” (Bahre, 43, 1995).

It is speculated that some livestock grazing did occur in the Chiricahuas during the early 18th century,
however major grazing did not take place until 1878 or 1879 with the arrival of Anglo-American ranchers
(Bahre, 1995). By the turn of the century the Chiricahua Mountains were already heavily grazed (Bahre,
1995).

Mining in the Chiricahuas began around the 1860’s with most Prospecting occurring prior to the
establishment of the Chiricahua Apache reservation in 1872 (Bahre, 1995). Wildlife inhabiting the
Chiricahuas included “wolves (Canis lupus), antelope (Antilocapra americana mexicana), Merriam turkey
(Melagris gallopavo), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), and black tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 5 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

frontier, the conservation movement through National Forests and National Monuments), in all of the
specific categories cited above, and is associated with the lives of individual who were of significance
locally (J.H. Stafford, Emma Erickson, and Ed Riggs) and regionally (Neil Erickson, Lillian Erickson
Riggs, Captain Charles Cooper, and his daughter Forestine).

The main house at Faraway Ranch is significant under Criterion C as it embodies distinctive
characteristics of a type period, and method of construction, and the ranch as a whole possesses a high
degree of integrity. Furthermore, the site of the military “Camp at Bonita Canon” may be likely to yield
through historic archeology information important in history. “

National Register Nomination, 1980

Using National Register criteria for determining significance it has been recommended that criteria A,
B,C, and D are applicable. Criterion A applies to properties associated with events that have made
significant contributions to the broad patterns of history, including exploration, African American history,
Women’s history, settlement, farming, and ranching. Criterion B relates to association with persons
significant in history at a local state or national level. Criterion C applies to properties whose physical
design reflects distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction and land use.
Criterion D applies to properties that have yielded, or are likely to yield, information important to
prehistory or history. Surface or subsurface remains may provide information about agricultural or land
use activities, settlement patterns, or cultural traditions.

Using existing information it is noted that the landscape associated with the Faraway Ranch has
regional significance as an historic vernacular ranch, guest ranch, and homestead operation within
Bonita Canyon in the Sulphur Spring Valley of Cochise County, Arizona. The ranch landscape, which
is signifcant under Criterion D comprises substantial remnants of early settlement and agricultural
practices in Arizona in addition to reflecting the continuum of use by a single family as they modified
their approach to land use and management in an effort to retain their lands. The transition from single
family farmstead/ranch to guest ranch is clearly evident in the features found within the landscape of
today.

Before the establishment of Faraway Ranch the site had importance to African American history and is
thus significant under criterion A. Bonita Canyon was the site of an ancillary tent camp that was
garrisoned by the 10th U.S. Cavalry, which was a unit of Buffalo Soldiers. Soldiers at Bonita Canyon
built an inscribed stone monument in memory of President James A. Garfield, who had commanded
African American troops.

The Stafford Homestead, established around 1879 is significant under criteria A, C and D. It was the
carliest settlement in Bonita Canyon. It is listed in the National Register at a regional level of
significance as one of the earliest structures in the area, and of the early ones, the best preserved. Its
agricultural significance is also recognized, but also of significance are the remains of Staffords
irrigation ditch, roads, the surviving orignial fruit trees in the Stafford orchard, and trees planted west of

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 14 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Citation Author:
Citation Titie:

Year of Publication:
Citation Location:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publication:
Source Name:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:
Year of Publication:

Source Name:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:
Year of Publication:

Source Name:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:
Year of Publication:

Source Name:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:
Source Name:
Citation Location:

Hirt, Paul

The Transformation of Landscape: Culture and Ecology in
Southeastem Arizona

1989
In: Environmental Review, v.13, Fall/Winter, 1989

Stein, Pat H.
Homesteading in Arizona
1990

Other

Utley, Robert M.
Clash of Cultures
1977

Other

Parent, Lawrence

Chiricahua National Monument
1994

Other

Leavengood, Betty

Faraway Ranch-Chiricahua National Monument
1995

Other

Bowers, Janice, Emily

Chiricahua

Other

Southwest Parks and Monumnets Association

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 56 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

half of the eastern side of the pool. The pool is surrounded by a wire and post fence, the total fenced in
area being 53°6” X 83’. The pool is included in the List of Classified Structures (LSC 16041). The pool
and surrounding area are in a general state of disrepair.

Torres and Baumler discuss the confusion between a swimming tank and a swimming hole (Torres and
Baumler, 1984). The Bonita Creek Dam is located near the Stafford cabin and at one time provided a
swimming hole. The dam is no longer functional and the poured concrete used to build it is broken. The

dam was not field checked. It has the LCS #60185.

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure

Feature Contribution Name Number Number

Faraway Ranch Water Tank Contributing Faraway Ranch Water Tanks 60155 FEAF-22

Faraway Ranch Well Contributing Faraway Ranch Well 60156 FEAF-23

Irrigation Ditches Contributing

Swimming Pool Contributing Faraway Ranch Swimming 16041 FEAF-10
Pool

Water Tank Contributing Faraway Ranch Tank 60147 FEAF-12

Water Troughs Contributing Faraway Ranch Water 60151 FEAF-16
Trough

Windmill Contributing Faraway Ranch Windmill 60146 FEAF-11

Page 17 of 22

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3)


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Statement Of Significance

“The Faraway Ranch Historic District has significance in the areas of: archeology; historic agriculture;
architecture; conservation, settlement: industry (cattle and guest ranching), military history; and social
history (specifically Black history, Women’s history, and immigrant history with this one family as a case
study). The districts associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
of our history, (settlement, the Indian wars, the end of the frontier, the conservation movement through
National Forests and National Monuments), in all of the specific categories cited above, and is associated
with the lives of individual who were of significance locally (J.H. Stafford, Emma Erickson, and Ed
Riggs) and regionally (Neil Erickson, Lillian Erickson Riggs, Captain Charles Cooper, and his daughter
Forestine). The main house at Faraway Ranch embodies distinctive characteristics of a type period, and
method of construction, and the ranch as a whole possesses a high degree of integrity. Furthermore, the
site of the military “Camp at Bonita Canon” may be likely to yield through historic archeology
information important in history. “

National Register Nomination, 1980

Using National Register criteria for determining significance it has been recommended that criteria.A, C,
and D are applicable. Criterion A applies to properties associated with events that have made significant
contributions to the broad patterns of history, including exploration, African American history, Women’s
history, settlement, farming, and ranching. Criterion C applies to properties whose physical design reflects
distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction and land use. Criterion D applies to
Properties that have yielded, or are likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history. Surface
or subsurface remains may provide information about agricultural or land use activities, settlement
patterns, or cultural traditions.

Using existing information it is noted that the landscape associated with the Faraway Ranch has regional
significance as an historic vernacular ranch, guest ranch, and homestead operation within Bonita Canyon
in the Sulphur Spring Valley of Cochise County, Arizona. The ranch landscape comprises substantial
remnants of early settlement and agricultural practices in Arizona in addition to reflecting the continuum
of use by a single family as they modified their approach to land use and management in an effort to retain
their lands. The transition from single family farmstead/ranch to guest ranch is clearly evident in the
features found within the landscape of today.

Before the establishment of Faraway Ranch the site had importance to African American history. Bonita
canyon was the site of an ancillary tent camp that was garrisoned by the 10th U.S. Cavalry, which was a
unit of Buffalo Soldiers. Soldiers at Bonita Canyon built an inscribed stone monument in memory of
President James A. Garfield, who had commanded African American troops.

The events surrounding Faraway Ranch are also significant to Women’s history. Lillian and Hildegard
Erickson assumed management of the ranch from their parents. Before they bought the Stafford property,
the sisters maintained orchards and gardens, selling the produce from these to support themselves and the
ranch. After acquiring the Stafford property, they developed the guest ranch. Although Hildegard moved
away shortly after the founding of the guest ranch, Lillian remained the primary decision-maker and ran
the business most of her life.

The Faraway Guest Ranch was one of the first guest ranches to open in Arizona. Kumble describes eight

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 10 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature: Louis "Ben" Erickson Grave marker

Feature Identification Number: 105926

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56629

LCS Structure Name: “Louis "Ben" Erickson Grave Marker
LCS Structure Number: GRD002B

Feature: Louis Prue Grave Marker

Feature Identification Number: 105927

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56630

LCS Structure Name: Louis Prue Grave Marker
LCS Structure Number: GRDO02E

Feature: Neil Erickson's Grave Marker

Feature Identification Number: 105928

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing,

IDLCS Number: 56631

LCS Structure Name: Neil Erickson Grave Marker
LCS Structure Number: GRD002C

Feature: Pig Pen Ruins

Feature Identification Number: 105929

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56623

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Pig Pen Ruins
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-17

Feature: Stone Walls

Feature Identification Number: 105930

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56619

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Stone Walls
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-14B

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 38 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Erickson homestead, later Faraway Ranch. The orchard extends to the oak tree-lined
banks of Bonita Creek, Ca. 1907

Views and Vistas

Neil was photographed sitting amongst a group of boulders, looking westward, several hundred
feet above and to the southeast of the Stafford cabin. From this vantage point, the entire valley
is visible, including a beautiful view of the area beyond Bonita Canyon, framed by mountains
gently sweeping upwards to the north and south of the canyon mouth. All roads, pathways,
orchards, and structures are visible. This view was sketched by Lillian and used for a
Christmas card in the 1960’s. The view is not only impressive, but suggests vegetative changes
in the landscape that have occurred between the early 1900’s and today. At the time the
photograph was taken, the valley floor is clear of native vegetation and furrows appear to run
across the valley, from north to south. A close-up of the photograph reveals planted trees
around the Stafford cabin.

Today, from the same vantage point the circulation is still quite visible, however the valley has
filled in with a number of juniper and cypress trees. The orchard and furrows are no longer
discernible and the view westward beyond the canyon now contains a recently built comfort
station and parking lot.

We may assume that the two orchards presented an enchanting springtime view as one entered
Faraway Ranch from the west and looking out from the second story, east windows of the
main house. These views have certainly changed as there are only a few fruit trees left in
either orchard.

Landscape Characteristic Graphics:

Cultural Landscapes inventory Page 50 of 60


go0r-

I’m hopeful but not certain that I can physically join you all for the October 24" day at
Faraway.

If not, here is a map of the area I would recommend we keep mowed. Three inches for
the lawn and the strip right outside the rock and north fence and 4-5 inches for the rest of
the area.

If we keep this mowed we won’t have to rake (fuel reduction) and we will have a lot less
camphor and alien species going to seed.

Thank you very much and Lillian thanks you, too.

1o-— Cat


Faraway Ranch

Chiricahua National Monument.

Citation Author: Torres, Louis//Baumler, Mark

Citation Title: Historic Structure Report, Historical and Archeological Data
Sections, A History of the Buildings and Structures of Faraway
Ranch, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

Year of Publication: 1984

Source Name: CRBIB

Citation Number: 012912

Citation Author: Baumler, Mark F

Citation Title: The Archeology of Faraway Ranch, Arizona, Prehistoric, Historic,
and 20th Century

Year of Publication: 1984

Source Name: CRBIB

Citation Number: 550319

Citation Author: Tagg, Martyn D.

Citation Title: The Camp at Bonita Canon, A Buffalo Soldier Camp in Chiricahua
National Monument, Arizona

Year of Publication: 1987

Source Name: CRBIB

Citation Number: 550330

Citation Author: Bahre, Conrad J.

Citation Title: Human Disturbance and Vegetation in Arizona's Chirachua
Mountains in 1902.

Year of Publication: 1995

Source Name: Library Of Congress/Dewey Decimal

Citation Author: Brenzel, Kathleen

Citation Title: Sunset Western Garden Book

Year of Publication: 1995

Source Name: Library Of Congress/Dewey Decimal

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 55 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

et, "
oy ey ; bse 2
Early 1890s view of Bonita Canyon from vantage point, showing orchard and
circulation.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 51 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

and thus caused “significant damage to grasses and streamside ecology, especially when kept in large
numbers or allowed to concentrate in one area.” (Hirt, 175, 1989). This raiding by the Apaches helped to
diminish the impact of livestock and thus preserve riparian areas and rangeland ecosystems (Hirt, 1989).
In addition, mining being conducted in southeast Arizona was considered a “sacrilege” by the Chiricahua
Apaches, Therefore, they tried to eliminate mining from their territory.

After the Civil War ended the government directed a more forceful approach to dealing with “the Indian
problems” (Hirt, 1989). A reservation was established in 1872 in southeast Arizona, but failed after four
years. When it was dissolved in 1876 and, “the Indian lands were being ‘returned to the public domain,”
entrepreneurs and settlers flooded onto the grassy valleys and into the mineral rich mountains with a
vengeance, beginning a process of environmental change that would forever alter the ecological
composition and permanently degrade the productive capacity of the southem Arizona landscape.” (Hirt,
177, 1989). According to Utley, “By 1876, officials in Washington merely awaited an excuse to...move
the Chiricahuas to San Carlos.” (Utley, 40, 1977). The Apaches were concentrated again in the San
Carlos and Warm Springs Reservations (which also failed). Furthermore, the attempt to remove the
Chiricahua Apaches from their homeland resulted in continued taidings and resistance. It was not until
1886, and the surrender of Geronimo that the era of land occupation by the Chiricahua Apache ended.

1862-1976 Anglo American Homesteading

Six homestead acts were passed in the United States between 1862 and 1916, with each successive act
increasing the available land, simplifying the process, or easing the restrictions placed on homesteaders,
Revisions to the Act were made periodically over the course of its history (Stein, 1990). The Homestead
Act was repealed in 1976.

All federal land was available for homesteading, with the exception of land that was saline or mineral in
its general character, land that the federal government had previously withdrawn or preserved, land that
was already occupied for trade or business, or land that was lying within an incorporated town. Other
than charging a nominal filing fee, the government offered the land for free once specified requirements
were met. The stipulated requirements under the original Homestead Act were that improvements to the
land were to be made and the homesteader was to live on the land for a period of five years. At any
point, a homesteader could relinquish his or her claim or purchase the land for $1.25 an acre. Land
within a specified distance from a railroad could be purchased for $2.50 an acre.

Arizona was one of thirty-one states or territories to offer land for homesteading. The first successful
claim in Arizona was entered by William Willey in 1878. Although there were somewhere between
21,000 and 22,000 successful claims entered in Arizona, there was an even higher number of failed
homesteads (Stein, 1990). The peak periods of successful homesteading in Arizona occurred in the
1910’s and again from 1930 to 1936. (see Figure 1; Stein, 1990). These periods are strikingly different
from the latter 19th century when Neil Erickson entered his claim and relatively few people had applied
for homesteads.

In spite of the higher number of failures, 4,748,000 acres of Arizona land passed from public to private
hands. Over 1 million of these acres were repurchased by the government and returned to the public
domain through the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1937, however today that leaves more than 3 million private
acres in Arizona that were originally acquired through homesteading (Stein, 1990),

The Erickson homestead fell under the tegulations of the first act, the National Homestead Act of 1862.
This permitted the acquisition of 160 acres by one “entryman”, or person filing the claim, provided they
lived on the land continuously for five years, and cultivated a portion of that land during the final four

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 2) Page 2 of 3


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Vegetation

Upon her arrival, Emma Erickson was quite taken by the natural beauty of Bonita Canyon. Large trees
were found in abundance and the native grasses were knee high (Leavengood, 1995).

There are a multitude of plant materials and vegetation features present at Faraway Ranch. A detailed
listing of the materials is presented in this paper. At present, the canyon is being invaded by Juniper
(Juniperus sp.) as well as other native vegetation. Juniper (Juniperus sp.) in the canyon today is found in
a large part of the “lower orchard” area as well as throughout the site. Historical photographs show no
evidence that juniper was widespread throughout the canyon during the time of peak fruit production by
the Erickson’s and Stafford. However, it should be noted that in Lillian Riggs’ novel, Westward Into The
Sun, she frequently describes the presence of juniper in the canyon during their early years (Riggs,

1979). As mentioned earlier, the use of fire by the Chiricahua Apaches suppressed the presence of
invasive woody plants in grasslands (Hirt, 1989). Perhaps, this explains the assumption that juniper was
not as pervasive at the time Stafford and Erickson homesteaded in the canyon.

Descriptions documenting the vegetation of Faraway Ranch begin at the entrance to the ranch site and
move eastward. Currently the entrance vegetation is comprised primarily of native grasses (Sporobolus
spp. and Equisetum spp.), juniper (Juniperus sp.), cypress (Cupressus sp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and cholla
(Opuntia bigelovii). In her novel, Lillian Riggs describes the presence of cypress trees, wild grasses, and
oaks growing on the mountainsides (Riggs, 1979). The vegetation around the corral today consists of
native grasses (Sporobolus spp. and Equisetum spp.), cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), juniper (Juniperus spp.),
and sycamore (Platanus spp.) trees. The interior paths running eastward towards Faraway Ranch today
contain mainly yucca (Agavacea), juniper (Juniperus spp.), cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), and oak trees
(Quercus spp.). There are seven apricot trees behind the garage and in front of the cowboy cabin running
along Newton’s Wash.

When Emma and Neil arrived in the canyon, they immediately started a garden. In 1889, Neil purchased
six apple trees, six dwarf pear trees, four plum trees, two prune trees, six peach trees, two apricot trees,
six currant shrubs, and six gooseberry shrubs (Torres and Baumler, 1984). The orchard was sited to the
west of house near the windmill and open tank. A few remnants of these fruit trees can be seen today, In
addition to the fruit trees, vegetables, shrubs, and vines were planted. The variety of fruits and vegetables
are evident in Neil Erickson’s Diary for 1896-1899 where he mentioned planting sweet corm, beans,
cabbage, tomatoes, squash, watermelon, onions, celery, and lettuce. The vegetable garden was located
northeast of the house. In addition, Stafford allowed Erickson to plant vegetables including com and
beans in his garden (Torres and Baumler, 1984).

These vegetable and fruit gardens were produced for private consumption as well as guest consumption.
As mentioned earlier, the gardens were also used to produce income from sales to Fort Bowie. The
production of these vegetables and fruits was high between 1924 and 1933, therefore sales were made to a
variety of consumers (Torres and Baumler, 1984), Today, the vegetable garden is still outlined by a wire
fence with stones placed around the edges. It measures approximately 42 feet long and 24 feet wide. The
height of the stone wall is approximately 2 feet 3 inches. There are signs of a stone division placed in the
vegetable garden that runs east/west and is approximately 26 feet from the southern edge of the garden,
but exact layout of the garden is not known. The only remaining plant materials associated with the
garden are four (4) fruit trees lined at 3 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, and 40 feet. Although no documentation
exists to support reasons for the placement of these four fruit trees, they might possibly have been placed
for a windbreak. The wind force through the canyon is intense at times. In fact, Pauline Stafford stated
ina letter dated April 16, 1882: “the wind is blowing very much today” (Livingston, 11, 1994) .

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 9 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature Identification Number: 105935
‘Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
Landscape Characteristic Graphics:

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 45 of 60


suk

Author: CHIR Superintendent at NP-CHIR
Date: 7/30/01 9:59 AM
Normal

TO: Jill Cowley at NPSTO: Jose RamirezTO: CHIR Resource Management (Alan Whalon)TO: Andy B
rinkleyTO: Dave EvansSubject: Faraway Ranch CL1-~----n--n nnn rrr rrr Messag
e Contents

gill - Thanks for all your assistance in getting The Faraway Raneh CLI
entered into CLAIMS. We all agree that the overall condition
assessment falls into the "fair" category. Thanks again for your
help. Alan Cox


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Bibliography

Citations:

Source Name:
Citation Title:

Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:
Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:

Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:

Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

CRBIB

A Pioneer Log Cabin in Bonita Canyon, The History of
the Stafford Cabin, Faraway Ranch Historic District,
Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, Historic
Resource Study .

Livingston, Dewey

1994

016818

CRBIB

Chiracahua National Monument History Handbook
Jackson, Earl

1962

WACC

CRBIB

Historic Landscape Restoration Report, The Faraway
Ranch, Chiricahua National Monument

Kumble, Peter A

1989

015277

CRBIB

Historic Structure Report, Historical and Archeological
Data Sections, A History of the Buildings and
Structures of Faraway Ranch, Chiricahua National
Monument, Arizona

Torres, Louis//Baumler, Mark

1984

012912

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 12 of 16






Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Inventory Unit Summary & Site Plan
Inventory Summary

The Cultural Landscapes Inventory Overview:
CLI General Information:

Cultural Landscapes Inventory — General Information.

The Cultural Landscapes Inventory (CLI) is a database containing information on the
historically significant landscapes within the National Park System, This evaluated inventory
identifies and documents each landscape’s location, size, physical development, condition,
landscape characteristics, character-defining features, as well as other valuable information
useful to park management. Cultural landscapes become approved inventory records when all
required data fields are entered, the park superintendent concurs with the information, and the
Jandscape is determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places through a
consultation process or is otherwise managed as a cultural resource through a public planning
process.

The CLI, like the List of Classified Structures (LCS), assists the National Park Service (NPS)
in its efforts to fulfill the identification and management requirements associated with Section
110(a) of the National Historic Preservation Act, National Park Service Management Policies
(2001), and Director’s Order #28: Cultural Resource Management. Since launching the CLI
nationwide, the NPS, in response to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), is
required to report information that respond to NPS strategic plan accomplishments. Two goals
are associated with the CLI: 1) increasing the number of certified cultural landscapes (1b2B);
and 2) bringing certified cultural landscapes into good condition (1a7). The CLI maintained by
Park Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Program, WASO, is the official source of
cultural landscape information.

Implementation of the CLI is coordinated and approved at the regional level. Each region
annually updates a strategic plan that prioritizes work based on a variety of park and regional
needs that include planning and construction projects or associated compliance requirements
that lack cultural landscape documentation. When the inventory unit record is complete and
concurrence with the findings is obtained from the superintendent and the State Historic
Preservation Office, the regional CLI coordinator certifies the record and transmits it to the
national CLI Coordinator for approval. Only records approved by the national CLI coordinator
are included on the CLI for official reporting purposes.

Relationship between the CLI and a Cultural Landscape Report (CLR)

The CLI and the CLR are related efforts in the sense that both document the history,

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory

Page 1 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Period Of Significance

Time Period: 1880 - 1918

Historic Context Theme:
Historic Context Subtheme:

Historic Context Facet:

Time Period: 1917 - 1973
Historic Context Theme:
Historic Context Subtheme:

Historic Context Facet:

Time Period: 1934 - 1942

Historic Context Theme:
Historic Context Subtheme:
Historic Context Facet:

Area Of Significance:

Category:
Priority:
Category:
Priority:
Category:
Priority:
Category:
Sub-category:
Priority:
Category:
Priority:
Category:
Priority:

Peopling Places
Westward Expansion of the British Colonies and the
United States, 1763-1898

The Farmers’ Frontier

Creating Social Institutions and Movements
Recreation
General Recreation

Shaping the Political Landscape
Political and Military Affairs 1865-1945
The Great Depression And The New Deal, 1929-1941

Agriculture
1

Entertainment/Recreation
2

Social History
3

Ethnic Heritage
Black

4

Architecture

5

Military

6

National Historic Landmark Information

National Historic
Landmark Status: No

World Heritage Site Information

World Heritage Site Status: No

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 5 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Component Landscape Description

This historic vernacular landscape dates from the late nineteenth century and continued to be occupied by
descendants of the Erickson family until the mid 1970’s. The landscape includes the main ranch house
complex with the family residence and associated structures including the barn, various sheds, a garage, a
bunkhouse, wells, an earthen reservoir, a corral, and fruit tree orchards. Also within the residential
complex area is a swimming pool built by the family in 1923 and fed by diverted well water.

To the east of the residential complex are the remnants of an orchard and the former site of the family’s
vegetable garden. There are also traces of field roads, cobblestone edged paths, irrigation ditches, and a
well.

The historic Stafford cabin is approximately a quarter mile east of the Erickson’s primary residential
complex. The Stafford homestead of 160 acres was adjacent to the Erickson homestead, in section 26 of
township 16 south, range 29 east. This homestead was purchased by Lillian and Hildegarde Erickson in
1918 and combined with the family’s property. The Stafford land was subdivided first in 1945 and again
in 1955. Lillian (Erickson) Riggs retained the parcel of land that included the historic Stafford cabin,

Approximately one mile to the southwest of the main complex is the Erickson family cemetery which
consists of two fenced rectangular enclosures, plantings, and four headstones

Cuttural Landscapes inventory (Part 1) Page 2 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Bibliography and Supplemental Information

Bibliography

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publilcation:
Citation Publisher:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publication:
Citation Publisher:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publication:
Source Name:

Citation Number:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publication:
Source Name:
Citation Location:

Citation Author:
Citation Title:

Year of Publication:

Source Name:

Citation Number:

Carla Singer et al.

Cultural Landscape Inventory Level II, Faraway Ranch
1999

National Park Service

Lysa Wegman French

Chiricahua National Monument Special Use Study
2006

National Park Service

Livingston, Dewey

A Pioneer Log Cabin in Bonita Canyon, The History of the
Stafford Cabin, Faraway Ranch Historic District, Chiricahua
National Monument, Arizona, Historic Resource Study

1994
CRBIB

016818

Jackson, Earl

Chiracahua National Monument History Handbook
1962

CRBIB

WACC

Kumble, Peter A

Historic Landscape Restoration Report, The Faraway Ranch,
Chiricahua National Monument

1989
CRBIB
015277

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 54 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Archaeological Sites

Thorough archeological reports have been prepared for the Faraway site by Baumler. Included in this
report is a brief summary of his findings.

Prehistoric Archeological Sites: The area surveyed was approximately 300 acres and encompassed all the
land included in the Faraway Ranch Historic District except for a small, steep parcel of land on the
northern boundary. 15 prehistoric sites and 29 prehistoric artifacts were recorded. Most of the artifacts
are "single igneous flakes or small clusters of flakes and cores that probably represent tool making or tool
maintenance stations occupied only briefly... The prehistoric sites discovered in lower Bonita Canyon are
mostly small, dispersed surface sherd and lithic scatters.” (Baumler, 15, 1984). These are not attributed
to the Chiricahua Apaches.

Historic Archeological Sites: Historic and 20th century features and artifacts were also recorded. The
artifacts consisted of “farm/ranch equipment, glass bottles, tin cans, cartridge cases, and other items of
variable age and significance. Features include rock alignments, stone foundations, borrow pits, trash
dumps and scatters, ash pits, hearths, glass and metal scatters, work areas, and rock piles (Torres and
Baumer, 213, 1984). These features are attributed to Erickson/Riggs, the Stafford family, and the
military camp of 1885-1886 (Baumler, 1984), South of the Erickson homestead, located at the top of a
rocky outcrop is a lookout post for the military‘camp.

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure
Feature Contribution Name Number Number
Stafford Cabin Contributing Stafford Cabin 07653 BLDHS-1

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 22 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

with the northern side being the most defined. These rocks are large fieldstones or small
boulders from the creek bed and are currently covered with lichen (Chappell, 1976) This tank
or reservoir was first mentioned by Neil Erickson on a U.S. Forest Service document in 1913.
He discussed a watering dam on land in the Chiricahua National Monument. Historically, cattle
used the tank (Torres and Baumler, 1984). Today, the tank continues to have water pumped

into it from the windmill, but the pump does not produce a large amount of water. Deer and
other wildlife in the canyon can be seen visiting the tank for water.

WELLS AND WATER TANKS:

A well located adjacent to the main house was constructed by Neil Erickson and his brother
John, shortly after they entered the canyon. This is the oldest documented well on site and is
found just outside the kitchen door. It was built for household purposes (Chappell, 1976). The
octagon shape of the well existing today dates to the late 1920’s (Riggs, 1979).

A second well was dug that is “200 feet west of the house, near the bam and open tank of the
house, where Neil’s orchard once stood.” This well was for the purpose of watering the
gardens, orchards, and cattle. It has been identified as “the one with the existing windmill”
(Torres and Baumler, 101, 1984).

The third well was built in Stafford’s lower orchard and is located eastward from the middle
gate on the eastern side of the main house. The well is described in the National Register
Nomination Form as “... a well with a small walking beam pump, which the National Park
Service has modified by the addition of electrical connections and new piping. The pump is a
Jensen straight lift Jack, Serial No. 115, Size 25 DC, rated at 35 strokes per minute,
manufactured by the Jensen Brothers Manufacturing Company of Coffeyville, Kansas. The
well may have originally featured a windmill.” (Chappell, item #7, p. 14).

FARAWAY RANCH SWIMMING POOL AND SWIMMIMG HOLE

A constructed, cement swimming pool is located directly east of the terraced vegetable garden.
area and northeast of the main house. The pool is a 34’ X 15’ oval. Rocks are placed along
the north and the top half of the eastem side of the pool. The pool is surrounded by a wire and
post fence, the total fenced in area being 53°6” X 83°. The pool is included in the List of
Classified Structures (LSC 16041). The pool and surrounding area are in a general state of
disrepair.

Torres and Baumler discuss the confusion between a swimming tank and a swimming hole
(Torres and Baumler, 1984). The Bonita Creek Dam is located near the Stafford cabin and at
one time provided a swimming hole. The dam is no longer functional and the poured concrete
used to build it is broken. The dam was not field checked. It has the LCS #60185.

Character-defining Features:

Feature: Faraway Ranch Water Tank

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 28 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature: Faraway Ranch Barn and Tool Shed

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

101795

Contributing

16036

Faraway Ranch Barn and Tool Shed
BLDGF-04

Feature: Faraway Ranch Bunkhouse

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

101796

Contributing

07652

Faraway Ranch Bunkhouse
QTRO29E

Feature: Faraway Ranch Cowboy House

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

101797

Contributing

16034

Faraway Ranch Cowboy House
BLDGEF-02

Feature: Faraway Ranch Garage and Shed

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

100919

Contributing

12964

Faraway Ranch Garage and Shop
BLDGF-07

Feature: Faraway Ranch Power House

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

105905

Contributing
16038

Faraway Ranch Power House

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 24 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

National Register Information

National Register Documentation: Entered — Inadequately Documented

Explanatory Narrative:
Faraway Ranch landscape is listed on the National Register as a historic district and is also
determined significant as a cultural landscape based on the findings of this CLI.

NRIS Information:

NRIS Number: 75000171

Primary Certification: Listed In The National Register
Primary Certification Date: 3/31/1975

Name In National Register: Stafford Cabin

Other Names In

National Register: NR Control No. 0611801564
NRIS Number: 80000368

Primary Certification: Listed In The National Register

Primary Certification Date: 8/27/1980
Name In National Register: Faraway Ranch Historic District

Other Names In
National Register: Faraway Ranch
National Register Eligibility: Undetermined

Explanatory Narrative:

Existing National register nominations form states that structures have significance at the state level
in architectural, conservation, pioneering, business (farming and ranching), and social (immigration
and women's) history.

Date of Eligibility Determination:

National Register Classification: Site

Significance Level: State

Contributing/Individual: Individual

Significance Criteria: A -~- Inventory Unit is associated with events that have
made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history

C -- Inventory Unit embodies distinctive characteristics
of type/period/method of construction; or represents
work of master; or possesses high artistic values: or
represents significant/distinguishable entity whose
components lack individual distinction

D -- Inventory Unit has yielded, or is likely to yield,
information important to prehistory or history

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4) Page 4 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

The Ericksons had both chickens and pigs. There is no evidence of the chicken house that was
located to the east of the generator building, however the stone outline of the pigpen still exists.
‘The pigpen measures approximately 22’X 20°. A historic photograph shows Emma’s small
herd of pigs. The pigpen has the LCS # 60152.

There are various other small scale structures on the property that relate to the ranching
business: a concrete water trough located 44” northeast of the windmill, near the corral and
chute, and a weather station kept in the south side of the yard and used by Ed Riggs. The
water trough has the LCS #60151. The trough is in a deteriorated state.

Other small scale features located within the landscape include a small grill with an embedded
mano located directly west of the cowboy house, matates located near the main house, and
remnants of the old bridge that extended across Newton’s Wash,

Other: CCC Camp

The CCC Camp, established in the 1930’s was located approximately 3/4 mile from the
Stafford cabin in the Silver Spur Meadow. The few remaining features of the camp are
discussed by Baumler (Baumler, 1984).

In the vicinity of the camp can be found a bear cage, located on a northern hillside, the remains
of a subterranean stone cellar-like structure, and a cement slab.

The bear cage is located 239” west of the most western fireplace of the Silver Spur Lodge, and
TT up ahillside. ‘The cage is constructed over a natural opening. It is constructed of cement
and iron bars, The cage has the LCS# 60173.

The remains of the stone cellar consist of 3 standing walls and a broken wall. The average
height of the walls is 4’6”. A stone lined dirt path leading from the Silver Spur fireplace
accesses the structure.

The cement slab may have been a foundation for a structure. Only one side of the slab was
visible, the other end was overgrown with roots and grass.

Character-defining Features:

Feature: Cemetery Fence

Feature Identification Number: 105920

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Cemetery Fence
LCS Structure Number: GRDO002A.

Feature: Emma Erickson Grave Marker

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 36 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Source Name:
Citation Title:

Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:
Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:
Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:
Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

Source Name:
Citation Title:
Citation Author:

Year of Publication:

Citation Number:
Citation Type:
Citation Location:

WACC

Archeological Assessment of Flood Damaged Historical
Period Cultural Resources Chiricahua National
Monument

Fox, Gregory L.
1995

WACC

Southwest Parks and Monumnets Association
Chiricahua
Bowers, Janice, Emily

Southwest Parks and Monumnets Association

Southwest Parks and Monuments Association
Chiricahua National Monument

Parent, Lawrence

1994

National Park Service Division of Publications
Clash of Cultures

Utley, Robert M.

1977

Southwest Parks and Monuments Association
Faraway Ranch-Chiricahua National Monument
Leavengood, Betty

1995

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 14 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Document: Other

‘Year of Document: 1989

Amplifying Detalls: Historic Landscape Restoration Report, The Faraway Ranch,
Chiracahua National Monument

Adequate Documentation: Yes

Explanatory Narrative:

Contains site analysis, identifies ranch structures, inventories existing vegetation and determines

missing plants

Document: Resource Management Plan

Year of Document: 1996

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

Identifies need for landscape research

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 60 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Document: Other
Year Of Document: 1984

Amplifying Details: Historic Structures Report-Faraway Ranch
Adequate Documentation: No |

Explanatory Narrative:

Includes history of buildings and structures of Faraway, historical, and archeological data
sections

Document: Resource Management Plan

Year Of Document: 1996

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

Identifies need for landscape research

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4) Page 11 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

guest ranches in the San Simon and Sulphur Springs Valleys of southeastern Arizona, including Faraway
Ranch, that were in operation at the same period of time, the 1920’s and 1930’s (Kumble, 1991). In
advertising literature the ranches promised visitors beautiful mountain vistas, a very agreeable climate,
home cooking, and entertainment such as horseback riding, hiking, hunting, and moon-light campfires.
Vacationing on a working ranch in “Apache country” had a romantic appeal to easterners. The guest
ranch operation allowed Lillian and Ed Riggs a means of support, beyond that of their relatively small
cattle business, in the rugged and isolated Bonita Canyon.

Numerous features that represent as well as define the land use history of the site for the past one hundred
years are retained in the landscape. These features include the orchard and garden areas, the family
cemetery, the building complex that includes the family home and a variety of support buildings, water
tanks, a working windmill, and a corral. The landscape features that are present on the site reveal its
continuum of use by the Erickson family from the time of its establishment as a single family homestead
and ranch to its conversion as a guest ranch in 1918 by the Erickson daughters.

The organizational design of the landscape and some landscape features reflect characteristics of early
20th century guest ranches in Arizona. The swimming pool may have been built as an attraction for guests
and additional property and buildings were added to the Erickson land to accommodate guests.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 11 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

IDLCS Number: 56622
LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Water Trough
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-16

Feature: Windmill

Feature Identification Number: 105919

‘Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56617

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Windmill
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-11

Cultural Traditions

With reference to particular landscape features or spatial organization, park personnel have
been unable to make any associations, thus far, with Swedish cultural traditions. Mr. Doug
Cap, a maintenance worker at Chiricahua National Monument had learned from a Scandinavian
couple visiting the monument, that the particular color of the main house, “mansion yellow” is
an indicator of affluence or social status (Site visit, April 1996).

Land Use

Prior to the establishment of Faraway Ranch by Neil and Emma Erickson, the Chiricahua
Apache utilized the land in this area. These indigenous people left little evidence of their
existence, traveling frequently from site to site throughout the mountains. They relied mainly on
desert food sources. Meat was provided by deer, mules, sheep, and cows (Utley, 1977).

“They engaged in an active relationship with the plants, animals, and physical features of their
landscape, blurring the boundaries between human and nonhuman worlds. They imbued.
everything with personality, purpose, and power. Coyotes, spiders, pollen (a sacred substance),
and mountains were often accorded the same respect as neighbors and relatives” (Hirt, 171,
1989). A more detailed discussion about the Chiricahua Apache is presented in the historical
context section of this report.

Bahre discusses a 1902 report titled “Report of an Examination of the Chiricahua Mountains in
Arizona”, produced by Albert F. Potter and Royal S. Kellogg of the Forestry Bureau of the
General Land Office (GLO) to the Arizona Territory (Bahre, 1995). This report outlined land
use practices in the Chiricahuas around the turn of the century. According to that report the
major land uses contributing to the evolution of the southeast Arizona landscape were: livestock
grazing, mining, logging, and fuelwood cutting (Bahre, 1995).

Eleven sawmills were operating in the Chiricahua’s in 1879 with approximately 30 percent of
the forest being logged (Bahre, 1995). Kellogg specified that “the 50,000 acres of coniferous
forest in the Chiricahuas constituted the single largest acreage of coniferous forest on any
mountain in Arizona south of the Mogollon Rim.” (Bahre, 1995). Kellogg ultimately concluded

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 30 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Views And Vistas

Neil was photographed sitting amongst a group of boulders, looking westward, several hundred feet above
and to the southeast of the Stafford cabin. From this vantage point, the entire valley is visible, including a
beautifiul view of the area beyond Bonita Canyon, framed by mountains gently sweeping upwards to the
north and south of the canyon mouth. All roads, pathways, orchards, and structures are visible. This
view was sketched by Lillian and used for a Christmas card in the 1960’s. The view is not only
impressive, but suggests vegetative changes in the landscape that have occurred between the early 1900’s
and today. At the time the photograph was taken, the valley floor is clear of native vegetation and
furrows appear to run across the valley, from north to south. A close-up of the photograph reveals
planted trees around the Stafford cabin.

Today, from the same vantage point the circulation is still quite visible, however the valley has filled in
with a number of juniper and cypress trees. The orchard and furrows are no longer discemnible and the
view westward beyond the canyon now contains a recently built comfort station and parking lot.

We may assume that the two orchards presented an enchanting springtime view as one entered Faraway
Ranch from the west and looking out from the second story, east windows of the main house. These
views have certainly changed as there are only a few fruit trees left in either orchard.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 15 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Management Information
General Management Information

Management Category: Should be Preserved and Maintained

Management Category Explanatory Narrative:
The Faraway Ranch Historic District is listed on the National Register.

Adjacent Lands Information

Do Adjacent Lands Contribute? Yes
Adjacent Lands Description:

Additional lands within and beyond the NPS boundary are associated with the ranching operation e.g.
grazing lands.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 11 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

History

1675-1886 Apache Substistence and Resistence

The Apache tribes of Native Americans were descendants of Athabascan speaking nomadic people who
came to the southwest from the southern plains during the 16th and 17th centuries (Hirt, 1989). The
Chiricahua Apaches occupied most of southeastern Arizona, southwestern Mexico, and northern areas of
the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, These Apaches are further broken down into “local bands.”
The Chokonen, or “true Chiricahua” was the band that occupied areas surrounding the Chiricahua
Mountains, including Bonita Canyon. For centuries, these people occupied this land and had few adverse

affects on the landscape (Hirt, 1989).

The Chiricahua Apaches viewed nature with “courtesy and respect” (Hirt, 1989). The landscape and
mountains served as a cultural basis for their spiritual and lives. The Chiricahua band directly related
their existence with the landscape. “...each band had their own sacred mountains, indeed each family
group and each individual revered specific sacred places associated with some special feature of the
landscape” (Hirt, 171, 1989). They viewed nature, both flora and fauna, as living beings and feared their
Tetaliation if not handled with respect. In fact, Hirt’s essay: The Transformation of a Landscape:

Culture and Ecology in Southeastem Arizona, refers to ethnobotanist, Edward Castetter who stated “his
(Chiricahua Apaches) adaptation and Tesponse to the ecological region in which he lived was sensitive and
complete... These people knew nature’s calendar by heart” (Hirt, 173, 1989),

Being a nomadic people, the Chiricahua band made little use of extensive agricultural practices. They
were hunters and gatherers, harvesting desert foods such as yucca stems, agave heads, cactus fruit, pinon
nuts, sunflower seeds, berries, and mesquite beans (Utley, 1977). They hunted deer, rabbits, rats,
squirrels, quail, bighorn sheep, elk and turkey (Hirt, 1989). Due to their constant telocation, they were
able to take advantage of the diverse flora and fauna found throughout several life zones. Their hunting
and gathering practices were supplemented by raids for the acquisition of guns and cattle (Hirt, 1989).

Hirt (1988) notes that the landscape of the southwest changed dramatically after Anglo-Americans
succeeded in suppressing the Native Americans. He comments that, “From almost any Perspective these
changes proved undesirable: An indigenous people lost their land and way of life; a healthy, stable
environment deteriorated; and the natural resource productivity of the land significantly declined” (Hirt,
165, 1989). Among the major changes that occurred with Anglo-American land management were fire
suppression, intense hunting, overgrazing, and mining. In contrast, fire was used by the Chiricahua
Apaches to control game and produce food. The use of fire stimulated the growth of herbs and opened up
land for natural grazing by rabbits, and birds. Fire also helped to suppress shrub growth in grasslands
and maintain an open landscape (Hirt, 1989). An important correlation may be drawn between the lack of
fire suppression and the current presence of juniper (Juniperus spp.) in Bonita Canyon. Because of
Native American fire practices, it is possible that juniper did not exist on the canyon floor in the 1880’s
when Stafford and Erickson arrived and after the buming ceased. According to Hirt: “Apaches could not
help but notice the utility of fire as an ecological management tool...Fire also served to restrict shrub
growth in the grasslands, maintaining openness in the landscape and thus improving ease of mobility and
enhancing vision...In fact, an important source of ecological change in the last one hundred years in
southeast Arizona has been fire suppression” (Hirt, 173, 1989).

The raiding practices of the Chiricahua Apache also indirectly affected the landscape of this area.
Livestock and horses were gathered for food and transportation. Livestock were not native to this area

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 2) Page 1 of 3


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Spatial Organization, Faraway Ranch, 1997

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 4 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Park Information

Park Name and Alpha Code: Chiricahua National Monument -CHIR
Park Organization Code: 8620
Park Administrative Unit: Chiricahua National Monument

CLI Hierarchy Description

Faraway Ranch cultural landscape is a component landscape of Chiracahua National Monument
cultural landscape.

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 7 of 60


Faraway Ranch

Chiricahua National Monument

Documentation Assessment and Checklist

Documentation Assessment: Fair

Documentation:

Document: Historic Resource Study
Year Of Document: 1994

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

History of Stafford Cabin, provides good information on Stafford family history in
Bonita Canyon, garden locations, and produce grown. Some information regarding
Erickson purchase of Stafford homestead

Document: Other

Year Of Document: 1989

Amplifying Details: Historic Landscape Restoration Report, The Faraway
Ranch, Chiracahua National Monument

Adequate Documentation: Yes

Explanatory Narrative:

Contains site analysis, identifies ranch structures, inventories existing vegetation and
determines missing plants

Document: Other

Year Of Document: 1984

Amplifying Details: The Archeology of Faraway Ranch, Arizona
Adequate Documentation: Yes

Explanatory Narrative:

Provides excellent information covering prehistoric findings, Buffalo Soldier camp,
Stafford family, Erickson-Riggs, and CCC camp. Contains excellent maps, detailing
location of features.

Document: Other

Year Of Document: 1984

Amplifying Details: Faraway Ranch-CHIR (puplication by SPMA)
Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

Provides good background summary of Erickson Family

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 10 of 16

SA pes


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Faraway Ranch Water Trough

Faraway Ranch Wooden Gate (south of corral)

Faraway Ranch Wire and Post Gate (main gate leading into yard around main house, SW comer of wall
and fence)

Faraway Ranch Wire and Post Gate ( NW “L” of yard, leading from pool to vegetable garden area)
Faraway Ranch Pig Pen Ruins

Faraway Ranch Foot Bridge .

Faraway Ranch Water Tanks (two, SE of house on ridge)

Faraway Ranch Cemetery Fence

Faraway Ranch Main House Well (in yard E of house)

Infant Daughter’s Grave (associated with Stafford Homestead)

Louis “Ben” Erickson Grave Marker

Landscape Characteristics And Features
Natural Systems And Features

The homestead included a water source, Bonita Creek, flat land for limited agriculture, and provided an
abundance of trees and rocks that were used for building materials. Oral histories mention a natural hot
spring used by Ja Hu Stafford for irrigating vegetables year round. However, the spring is said to have
disappeared following an earthquake in the 1887 (Leavengood, 1995).

Ed Riggs constructed two water storage tanks on the southern side of Bonita Canyon that provided
potable water as well as proper water pressure once indoor plumbing was installed (Nielsen, interview,
1996). The water table was high and various wells were constructed around the property.

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 2 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Cultural Landscape Type and Use

Cultural Landscape Type:

Current and Historic Use/Function:
Use/Function Category:
Use/Function:

Detailed Use/Function:
Type Of Use/Function:

Use/Function Category:
Use/Function:

Detailed Use/Function:
Type Of Use/Function:

Use/Function Category:
Use/Function:

Detailed Use/Function:
Type Of Use/Function:

Use/Function Category:
Use/Function:

Detailed Use/Function:
Type Of Use/Function:

Ethnographic Information

Ethnographic Survey Conducted:

Significance Description:

Historic Vernacular Landscape

Agriculture/Subsistence
Livestock

Livestock

Historic

Domestic (Residential)
Lodge (Inn, Cabin)
Lodge (Inn, Cabin)
Historic

Domestic (Residential)
Single Family Dwelling
Single Family House
Historic

Recreation/Culture
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Recreation-Other
Historic

No Survey Conducted

Although no survey has been conducted, park staff have received some initial information regarding
cultural traditions associated with the Swedish families that are evident on site. An example of this

is the color of the paints used on the

family residences. Other ethnographic and cultural traditions

may be associated with the site and its associated landscape.

Adjacent Lands Information

Do Adjacent Lands Contribute?
Adjacent Lands Description:

Yes

There are additional lands associated with the ranching operation, see dicussion in boundary

decription

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 6 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

PEVESTI-AN PATH

ERICKSON FAMILY MSrTor. ce!
TO MeNUMENT CEMETERY .a- CENTER

NORTH

Faraway Ranch Circulation Patterns, 1997: The main historic area which includes the Faraway Ranch buildings,
corral, windmill, orchards, and the Stafford Cabin are accessible both by footpatha and paved road,

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure
Feature Contribution Name Number Number
Cobblestone-edged Paths Contributing Faraway Ranch Cobblestone- 60153 FEAF-19
Edged Paths

Faraway Ranch Ranch Roads Contributing Faraway Ranch Ranch Roads 60154 FEAF-21
NPS Access Road for Non-Contributing

Maintenance

NPS Visitor Parking Lot Non-Contributing

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 13 of 22


4

T look forward to continuing to work with you and your staff on the on-going CCC landscape and Fort
Bowie Level 2 CLIs, and assisting with any cultural landscape compliance issues. ~

A Gil Cauley

Enclosures (2)

cc:
Alan Whalon, Chiricahua National Monument, w/o encls.
Kathryn Neilson, Chiricahua National Monument, w/o encls.
Robert Spude, IMSF-CNR, w/o encls.

Dave Evans, SOAR, w/o encls.

VsCowley:vb:10/7/1999:IMSF-CNR


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Documentation Assessment

Documentation Assessment: Fair

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 58 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Analysis & Evaluation of Integrity

Analysis and Evaluation of Integrity Narrative Summary:
Overall Integrity Evaluation:

The Faraway Ranch retains overall integrity. The original site design of the ranch at Chiricahua
maintains its historical integrity.

Location:
Integrity of Location is retained. Original designed features remain in their original locations.
Setting:

Integrity of setting is retained. The buildings and their relationship to the surrounding landscape, the
mountains, and nearby orchard have been maintained.

Design:

Integrity of design is retained. There are a number of vernacular buildings and structures within the
boundaries of the ranch. These buildings and structures have not been substantively modified.

Materials:

Integrity of materials/species composition is retained. The materials of all built structures have a high
degree of historical integrity, ‘The biotic community has been changed somewhat since the period of
significance. The introduction of invasive plants and the lack of fire has increased certain types of
vegetation.

In addition, the integrity of the biotic community organization is also retained even though the distribution
of cypress and pines has been somewhat affected by past management of biotic resources.

Workmanship:
Integrity of workmanship is retained. The workmanship at Faraway Ranch represents vernacular
aesthetic principles. In addition, the management of the biotic community is good and following a

course that will improve the overall quality of biotic resources.

Feeling:
Integrity of feeling is retained. The property gives one the sense of a historic ranching operation.

Association:
Integrity of association is retained. The property is associated with Erickson family and their dude

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 20 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 49 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Treatment
Treatment

Approved Treatment:

Undetermined

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 53 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Analysis And Evaluation

Summary

The following pages provide graphic illustration and narrative descri
of the cultural landscape. Following is a list of the primary contribu
features are those that have an outstanding significance and should

Stafford Homestead:

Orchard Area
Partial foundation of Martha Stark cottage
Pile of Wood posts
Rock piles related to field clearing
Gravesite with headstone

Cabin Area:
Row of eight cypress trees
Single-course rock alignment / enclosure
Rock-ringed hearth and scatter
Fence post bases

Faraway Ranch:

Main House

Cowboy House

Storage Shed

Bam and Tool Shed

Tool Shed

Generator House

Office / Garage

Bunkhouse / Guest Quarters

Secondary Faraway Ranch Structures, including graves
Corrals, Fences, Chutes, and Gates

Windmill located at NE end of reservoir / cattle tank
Orchard Trees

Irrigation ditches

Swimming Pool

Stone fence running N/S from ranch out building
Faraway Ranch roads (dirt surfaced roads criss-crossing area)
Other historic vegetation (see Supplemental Information)
Faraway Ranch Well in orchard east of house

Faraway Ranch Tank / Reservoir

Bonita Creek Dam

Faraway Ranch Corral (attached to bam)

Faraway Ranch stone walls

iptions of the applicable characteristics
iting Landscape Features. These
be preserved.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3)

Page 1 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

the cabin either for decorative purposes or to serve as a windbreak or both.

‘The Erickson Homestead is significant under criterion A. Niel and Emma Erickson were not the first to
homestead Bonita Canyon or this general region, following J.H. Stafford by seven or eight years, as
well as others. Erickson's homestead was nevertheless one of the early and pioneer homesteads in the
region, and proved to be much more permanent than the Stafford homestead, which eventually it
absorbed, and many others.

Erickson Ranch - The main house of Faraway Ranch has significance representing a blending over a
period of time in architectural styles and materials of the indigenous adobe and stone
Pueblo/Spanish/Mexican and the more recent wood frame European/American. Furthermore, as an
example of vernacular frontier construction of a house built by the family that was to live there, with no
particular training for such a task, and representing a continual history of addition and subtraction from.
1887 to the late 1920s, the main house of Faraway Ranch is of at least regional significance under
criterion C.

‘The Faraway Ranch is significant under criteria B and A for its association with Neil Erickson and the
carly development of the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona. Early in the 20th Century, Neil Erickson
began a third career (after the military and ranching) as a forest ranger in the Chiricahua section of
Coronado National Forest, part of which would one day become Chiricahua National Monument. He
carried on U.S. Forest Service management and paperwork from his ranch, using at different times a
room in the main house, and a separate small office building, as his headquarters. Subsequently, he was
transferred to the Dragoon and Whetstone Mountains sections of Coronado National Forest, on the far
side of the Sulphur Springs Valley, and still later to Walnut Canyon National Monument in northem
Arizona. Neil Erickson was one of the earliest forest rangers in the Coronado National Forest and in
Arizona.

Faraway Ranch is significant under criterion A for its association with the founding of the Chiricahua
National Monument. While Neil Erickson was familiar with the strange and wild rock formations
southeast of his ranch, it remained for his son-in-law Ed Riggs, who had married Lillian Erickson, to
promote the "Wonderland of Rocks" as a tourist attraction and to seek its preservation as a national
monument. Undoubtedly conservationist motives were mixed with commercial motives for the
prosperity of the ranch, however the result of Ed Riggs’ promotion of these natural wonders was the
establishment of Chiricahua National Monument in 1924. Subsequent to the creation of the Monument,
Riggs was hired by the National Park Service to supervise construction of new horse and hiking trails in
1934 and 1935, including trails up Rhyolite Canyon, to the summit of Sugarloaf, and up Echo Canyon to
Echo Park. Thus in the 1920s and 1930s, Faraway Ranch, through its relationship with the founding of
Chiricahua National Monument, had a significant impact on tourism, conservation, and the preservation
of natural features in southem Arizona.

The events surrounding Faraway Ranch are also significant to Women’s history under Criterion A.
Lillian and Hildegard Erickson assumed management of the ranch from their parents. Before they
bought the Stafford property, the sisters maintained orchards and gardens, selling the produce from

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 15 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Citation Author: Kumble, Peter Andrew

Citation Title: The Vernacular Landscpe of the Southwest Guest Ranch

Year of Publication: 1991

Source Name: Other

Citation Location: Unpublished Masters Thesis

Citation Author: Fox, Gregory L. ;

Citation Title: Archeological Assessment of Flood Damaged Historical Period
Cultural Resources Chiricahua National Monument

Year of Publication: 1995

Source Name: Other

Citation Location: WACC

Citation Author: Riggs, Lillian Erickson

Citation Title: Westward into the Sun

Year of Publication: 1979

Source Name: Other

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 57 of 60


Faraway Ranch

Chiricahua National Monument.

Po mia oy WanTED AT RG e

[ese

Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997, Section C

Page 4 of 60

Cultural Landscapes Inventory


{IO topaog fq sic

v2 AOYSTHay TRUoLIeH - suo zo.

Gen soa aos - asontgnos o4 deur
eM Jo 4s

LEO TA:

dest £anpimod

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WATVOTY TIN = oy

webs, 2 wolf



Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: Faraway Ranch Well
Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: Irrigation Ditches
Feature Identification Number:

Type of Feature Contribution:

Feature: Swimming Pool
Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: ‘Water Tank

Feature Identification Number:
Type of Feature Contribution:
IDLCS Number:

LCS Structure Name:

LCS Structure Number:

Feature: Water Troughs
Feature Identification Number:

Type of Feature Contribution:

105913

Contributing

56626

Faraway Ranch Concrete Water Tank
FEAF-22A

105914

Contributing

56627

Faraway Ranch Well
FEAF-23

105915

Contributing

105916

Contributing

16041

Faraway Ranch Swimming Pool
FEAF-10

105917

Contributing

56618

Faraway Ranch Tank
FEAF-12

105918

Contributing

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 29 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997 : Section B

MAP ILiveTRAT AE THE eTUDy masa
oF THe
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF PomaWny Banc

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 6 of 11


National Park Service
Cultural Landscapes Inventory
beyrrenice” 1999

Spm 1/4/99

Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument



Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Bonita Creek Dam

Faraway Ranch Corral (attached to barn)

Faraway Ranch stone walls

Faraway Ranch Water Trough

Faraway Ranch Wooden Gate (south of corral)

Faraway Ranch Wire and Post Gate (main gate leading into yard around main house, SW comer of
wall and fence)

Faraway Ranch Wire and Post Gate (NW “L” of yard, leading from pool to vegetable garden area)
Faraway Ranch Pig Pen Ruins

Faraway Ranch Foot Bridge

Faraway Ranch Water Tanks (two, SE of house on ridge)

Faraway Ranch Cemetery Fence

Faraway Ranch Main House Well (in yard E of house)

Infant Daughter’s Grave (associated with Stafford Homestead)

Louis “Ben” Erickson Grave Marker

Aspects of Integrity: Location
Design
Setting
Materials
Workmanship
Feeling
Association

Landscape Characteristic:

Archeological Sites

Thorough archeological reports have been prepared for the Faraway site by Baumler. Included

in this report is a brief summary of his findings.

Prehistoric Archeological Sites: The area surveyed was approximately 300 acres and

encompassed all the land included in the Faraway Ranch Historic District except for a small,
steep parcel of land on the northern boundary. 15 prehistoric sites and 29 prehistoric artifacts
were recorded. Most of the artifacts are “single igneous flakes or small clusters of flakes and
cores that probably represent tool making or tool maintenance stations occupied only
briefly... The prehistoric sites discovered in lower Bonita Canyon are mostly small, dispersed
surface sherd and lithic scatters.” (Baumler, 15, 1984). These are not attributed to the
Chiricahua Apache.

Historic Archeological Sites: Historic and 20th century features and artifacts were also
recorded, The artifacts consisted of “farm/ranch equipment, glass boitles, tin cans, cartridge
cases, and other items of variable age and significance. Features include rock alignments,

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 22 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Landscape Characteristic Graphics:

Mer Pe

Fence and gate surrounding the ranch

house

Spatial Organization

The original 160 acre Erickson homestead is located along Bonita Creek, on the northwestem
edge of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastem Arizona. By 1902 a cluster of homesteads
had appeared in the area on adjacent lands.

‘The main house and associated buildings are situated to the south of Bonita Creek, on the floor
of anarrow canyon. The Erickson family cemetery is located to the west of the complex, at
the mouth of Bonita Canyon. The canyon opens to a wide valley. The town of Willcox is
approximately 35 miles northwest of Faraway Ranch.

Faraway Ranch was operated as a cattle ranch and guest ranch. The cattle business was
supplemented by successful guest ranching which continued from 1918 through the 1970’s.
Work areas associated with cattle ranching and horse care, i.e., corrals, stables, and bunkhouse,
are to the west and northwest of the main house. This may be due to the proximity to the
valley and the highway to Willcox, one of the towns to which cattle were trucked for slaughter
(Leavengood, 1995).

Cattle ranching activity near the main house at Faraway Ranch was limited, mainly involving

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 39 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Documentation Checklist

Documentation
Document: Historic Resource Study
Year of Document: 1994

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

History of Stafford Cabin, provides good information on Stafford family history in Bonita
Canyon, garden locations, and produce grown. Some information regarding Erickson purchase

of Stafford homestead

Document: Other

Year of Document: 1984

Amplifying Detaits: Faraway Ranch-CHIR (puplication by SPMA)

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:
Provides good background summary of Erickson Family

Document: Other
Year of Document: 1984
Amplifying Details: Historic Structures Report-Faraway Ranch

Adequate Documentation: No

Explanatory Narrative:

Includes history of buildings and structures of Faraway, historical, and archeological data
sections

Document: Other

Year of Document: 1984

Amplifying Details: The Archeology of Faraway Ranch, Arizona

Adequate Documentation: Yes

Explanatory Narrative:

Provides excellent information covering prehistoric findings, Buffalo Soldier camp, Stafford
family, Erickson-Riggs, and CCC camp. Contains excellent maps, detailing location of features.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 59 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

LCS Structure Number:

BLDGF-06

Feature: Faraway Ranch Storage Shed

Feature Identification Number: 105906

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 16035

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Storage Shed
LCS Structure Number: BLDGF-03

Feature: Faraway Ranch Tool Shed

Feature Identification Number: 105907

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 16037

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Tool Shed
LCS Structure Number: BLDGF-05

Feature: Faraway Ranch Main House

Feature Identification Number: 105908
‘Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
IDLCS Number: 16033
LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Main House
LCS Structure Number: BLDGF-01
Circulation

Both the National Register Nomination form and the Historic Structure Report discuss the
many dirt roads, paths, and trails found within the historic area. Exactly who built which roads
remains a question. There is evidence that some existed before the Ericksons homesteaded,
the CCC workers built some, and some were built by Neil Erickson (Torres and Baumler,
1984).

There are currently no vehicular roads within the historic area that may be used by visitors. A
short dirt road exists for use by park personnel. All paths are dirt and lined with rock. It is
unclear who placed the rocks along the paths, but there is speculation that National Park
Service personnel placed some of them. Early photos of the Stafford cabin and the Erickson
homestead show dirt roads and paths with no rocks, but rocks do show up in photographs from
the 1950s and the 1960s.

The Christmas card sketch made by Lillian during the 1960°s shows the valley floor with the

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 25 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

be seen in photographs dated prior to 1932 (Livingston, 1994). Although no documentation exists stating
the reason for these trees, they were possibly used for a windbreak. These are the only vegetable gardens
and fruit orchards documented in the area during that time. Garden produce including radishes, beans,
lettuce, cabbage, onions, watermelon, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, parsnips, cor, and squash
was sold by Stafford to Fort Bowie, the Buffalo Soldier’s camp, local ranchers, and markets (Livingston,
14, 1994). The garden is thought to have been two to four acres in size, and located on the eastern edge
of the homestead. No visible signs of Stafford’s vegetable garden exist today. Native grasses primarily
surround the Stafford Cabin. .

The following list of contributing vegetation at Faraway Ranch was compiled by cross-referencing the
University of Arizona student group’s work with the work of Peter Kumble who did the Restorative
Vegetation Recommendations (hard Copy, IMSF). Both Kumble and the student group support their
findings through historic photographs as well as written records. Both base some of their finding on the
Torres and Baumer’s Historic Structure Report, Historical and Archeological Data Sections, A History of
the Buildings and Structures of Faraway Ranch, Chiracahua National Monument, Arizona, 1984.

Finally, both the UA student team an Kumble focus on the vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the
main Ranch House, although the former does discuss native and more remote vegetation.

Contributing vegetation is vegetation whose historic existence has been confirmed through historic
photographs or written accounts. More research is needed to determine the status of the following
species: elm, cottoneaster, virginia creeper, and vinca.

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure
Feature Contribution Name Number Number
Bridal Wreath Spirea Contributing
Existing Native Vegetation, Contributing

including Juniper, Dropseed
Grass, Buffalo Grass, Oak,

Cholla and Yucca

Orchard Trees Contributing
Pyrocantha Contributing
Velvet Ash Contributing

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 11 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

co

ORCHARD

PLAN VIEW OF YRRD AND
KITCHEN PREA
SVREOUNZING MAIN HOUSE oF
FARAWAY “RANCH

Faraway Ranch vegetation house plan

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 46 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

and possibly bighom sheep (Ovis canadensis) and beaver (Castor canadensis)...” (Bahre, 44, 1995).

The conclusions drawn as a result of Kellogg and Potter’s report as summarized by Bahre include the
following statement: “The ways in which the vegetation of the Chiricahuas has changed as a result of
historic disturbances are not known. Students of southeast Arizona’s wild landscapes must understand
that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries most of the Tegion suffered from the same types of land-use
degradation that affect many Third World arid environments today....At the present, we have little idea
what the Chiricahuas would have looked like had they not been logged or grazed, had the fire regime not
been manipulated, or had Forest Service management not occurred, Nevertheless, it is clear from the
Potter map that the Chiricahuas were not without significant human disturbance in 1902.” (Bahre, 44,
1995).

Ttis important to note that this area was also used by Buffalo Soldiers of the Tenth Cavalry that traveled
to Bonita Canyon in September of 1885 (Bowers, no date). Their main responsibility was to serve in the
Indian Wars. A secondary responsibility was to serve as mail couriers,

Land use associated with Ja Hu Stafford was Primarily that of farming, with an orchard and garden
Providing most of the income for the family. The vegetable garden was planted to the east of the cabin in
the Silver Spur Meadow. This garden, however, is not visible at the present time. Ja Hu made use of
horses in the canyon to accomplish his work, The existence of two horses and 18 chickens can be dated to
April 16, 1882 in a letter written by Pauline Stafford (Livingston, 1994), In later letters to her father, she
encouraged him to bring cattle to the canyon for additional income. She stated: “... Thier (sic) are
scarcely any good cows here at all and none to sell.” (Livingston, 11, 1994), However, cattle were
documented in records at Stafford Cabin (Livingston, 1994). It has been noted that Ja Hu Stafford
Supplied fruits and vegetables to the soldiers at Fort Bowie while Louis Prue provided beef (Bowers, no
date).

Land use associated with the Ericksons at Faraway Ranch consisted primarily of ranching and farming,
They cultivated fruit orchards as well as managed cattle. A small vegetable garden was also part of their
land use. Neil also used the site for various carpentry projects conducted for income. However, around
1918, the use of the land shifted towards tourism/guest house and ranch Operations, Hildegard and Lillian
Erickson, daughters of Neil and Emma Erickson, purchased the Stafford property in 1918, The Stafford
cabin was used as additional lodging for workers and in later years was rented to guests (Leavengood,
1988). In 1923, Lillian married Ed Riggs and together they promoted and expanded Faraway Ranch as a
guest/dude ranch (Leavengood, 1995), The highpoint for Faraway as a guest ranch was between 1920
and 1940 when 10 or more guests per week received accommodations (Fox, 1995). In 1934, Ed and
Lillian leased land to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and extended trails through the
“Wonderland of Rocks” (Leavengood, 1995). The CCC crew with Ed Riggs serving as trail foreman
constructed numerous buildings, trails and roads after the establishment of the Chiricahua National
Monument in 1924. Upon Ed’s death on June 29, 1950, Lillian continued to manage Faraway Ranch
with additional hired ranch workers.

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 6 of 22


(44

Southwest Region

Cultural Landscape Inventory

ROUGH SCHEMATIC OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE BOUNDARY OF FARAWAY RANCH

ROUGH ScHEMATIC. OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE BOUNDARY
OF FARAWAY FANCH
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Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua Nationa! Monument

Cultural Traditions

With reference to particular landscape features or spatial organization, park personnel have been unable
to make any associations, thus far, with Swedish cultural traditions. Mr. Doug Cap, a maintenance
worker at Chiricahua National Monument had learned from a Scandinavian couple visiting the monument,
that the particular color of the main house, “mansion yellow” is an indicator of affluence or social status

(Site visit, April 1996

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 7 of 22






Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

cooking grills, bridge remnants, chutes, water tank, and gates. These features are documented
in the following descriptions.

FARAWAY RANCH CEMETERY:

This cemetery is located at the entrance into the Chiricauhua National Monument, at the base
of Bonita Canyon. It measures 20 by 30 feet and is enclosed by an iron fence (Chappell,
1976). It contains burial sites for Emma Sophia Erickson, Neil Erickson, and Louis Benton
Erickson.

Neil Erickson was buried first in this plot on October 18, 1937. According to Torres (1984),
Neil Erickson’s desire was to be buried at the mouth of Bonita Canyon. He planted cypress
trees there in order to mark the site. Dating the presence of the iron fence could be attributed
to a purchase made by Lillian in 1940. Emma Erickson was buried immediately adjacent to
Neil. Lillian Erickson Riggs is buried in a Riggs family cemetery a few miles west of the
Faraway Ranch cemetery (NPS plaque description, site visit 1996).

A site visit revealed the inscription of the two bronze plaques displayed on the west side of the
fence. One reads:

“Sacred to the memory of these pioneers

They came when only the brave dared come:

They stayed where only the valiant could stay

Bom in Sweden, Americans by choice--not by

accident of birth, they loved their adopted

country and served her well.”

The final inscription reads as follows:

“They carved a home from the wilderness, with the warp of labor and the woof of dreams.
They wove a pattem of life as beautiful as the sunsets and as enduring as the mountains they
loved so well” (Torres and Baumler, 105, 1984).

Correspondence between Lillian E. Riggs and J.K. Sheley of the Arizona Bronze Products
Company, concerning the plaques and dated June 27, 1941 stated the following:

“We will cast the attaching lugs on the back to fit a beveled edge, so the attachment to the
fence should not present any great difficulty. Both plaques will have beveled edges, and J can
assure you that you will find that a nice job will be done on both, in as much as the very best in
materials and workmanship is going into them. I am attaching a copy as it will appear so as to
make sure there has been no slip-ups.” (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Files).

The inscription on Neil’s plaque reads:

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 33 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Boundary UTMS:
Type of, UTM UTM. UTM.
Source Point Datum Zone Easting Northing
USGS Map 1 Point NAD 27 12 654,340 3,542,140
‘USGS Map 1 Point NAD 27 12 653,000 3,543,000
USGS Map 1 Point NAD 27 12 653,000 3,542,130
USGS Map 1 Point NAD 27 12 654,325 3,543,000
Location Map:
a |
1 ay H
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4 u
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! Coronneo t i
1 NATIONAL i]
Tao — 7 Forest 1 3
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Faraway Ranch is located off state highways 186 and 181 in Chiricahua National Monument

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 9 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Vegetation at Faraway Ranch 2007

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 48 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Concurrence Status

Inventory Status: Incomplete
Completion Status Explanatory Narrative:
‘The 1998 CLAIMS version of this CLI gained Superintendent concurrence in 2002. A
hardcopy was given to AS SHPO staff, but no response was received. The 1998 CLI and the
2008 updated website version are based on the original Level II CLI (dated 1999) completed by
the University of Arizona student team (Carla Singer, Michal Tincup and Steven White). Lisa
Nicholas, Cultural Landscapes Program Intern, completed data entry for the 1998 version, and
the 2008 webiste version completed by Helana Ruter (Arizona State University, History
Department).

Concurrence Status:

Park Superintendent Concurrence: No

National Register Concurrence: Undetermined

Data Collection Date: 09/20/1999 Recorder: UA student team /L.Nicholas
(data entry)

Data Entry Date: 09/20/1999 Recorder: UA student team /L Nicholas
(data entry)

Geographic Information & Location Map

Inventory Unit Boundary Description:

The boundary of this component landscape are the same as the National Register District boundaries.
The boundaries of the Faraway Ranch Historic District include the original 160 acre homestead, minus
part of the 160 acres to the south of the highway (see site plan), plus 53.96 acres of the Stafford
homestead. The additional Stafford land includes the orchard adjacent and to the east of the original
Erickson homestead and west of the Stafford cabin. Lillian Erickson purchased the entire Stafford
homestead in 1918, however it was subdivided in 1945.

State and County:

State: AZ

County: Cochise County
Size (Acres): 213,96

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 8 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

When Emma and Neil arrived in the canyon, they immediately started a garden. In 1889, Neil
purchased six apple trees, six dwarf pear trees, four plum trees, two prune trees, six peach

trees, two apricot trees, six currant shrubs, and six gooseberry shrubs (Torres and Baumler,
1984). The orchard was sited to the west of house near the windmill and open tank. A few
remnants of these fruit trees can be seen today. In addition to the fruit trees, vegetables,

shrubs, and vines were planted. The variety of fruits and vegetables are evident in Neil
Erickson’s Diary for 1896-1899 where he mentioned planting sweet corn, beans, cabbage,
tomatoes, squash, watermelon, onions, celery, and lettuce. The vegetable garden was located
northeast of the house. In addition, Stafford allowed Erickson to plant vegetables including com
and beans in his garden (Torres and Baumler, 1984).

‘These vegetable and fruit gardens were produced for private consumption as well as guest
consumption. As mentioned earlier, the gardens were also used to produce income from sales
to Fort Bowie. The production of these vegetables and fruits was high between 1924 and 1933,
therefore sales were made to a variety of consumers (Torres and Baumer, 1984). Today, the
vegetable garden is still outlined by a wire fence with stones placed around the edges. It
measures approximately 42 feet long and 24 feet wide. The height of the stone wall is
approximately 2 feet 3 inches. There are signs of a stone division placed in the vegetable
garden that runs east/west and is approximately 26 feet from the southern edge of the garden,
but exact layout of the garden is not known. The only remaining plant materials associated
with the garden are four (4) fruit trees lined at 3 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, and 40 feet. Although no
documentation exists to support reasons for the placement of these four fruit trees, they might
possibly have been placed for a windbreak. The wind force through the canyon is intense at
times. In fact, Pauline Stafford stated in a letter dated April 16, 1882; “the wind is blowing
very much today” (Livingston, 11, 1994) .

The main house of Faraway Ranch contains a lawn area and additional shrubs and trees. Fruit
trees were placed adjacent to the main house and lined on the east side of the house and west
side of the pool. There are five fruit trees immediately east of the ranch, four being newly
planted. An additional four fruit trees are located parallel to the orchard. Currently, there are
two shrubs, Spiraea prunifolia, simplicflora (Bridal Wreath Spiraea) located on either side of the
entrance path inside the Faraway Ranch lawn area. These can be seen in current and

historical photographs dating back to the early 1900’s. In addition, there are two potted mints
located by the eastern door of the screened porch and the north side of the same porch. The
orchard along the northern side of Faraway Ranch measures approximately 138°6” by 74’6”
and consists today of cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), native grasses (Sporobolus spp. and Equisetum
spp.), junipers (Juniperus sp.) along the comers, one Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash) and one
Pyrus communis (common pear). According to historic photographs, some orchard trees were
planted in a grid pattern.

The following is a listing of species (with scientific names followed by common names) found
within the fenced areas adjacent to the Faraway Ranch Main House during a site visit in March
of 1996. Identification was determined from site visits, and sample identification with direction

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 42 of 60




Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

ranching operation, with the preservation of the ranch as part of the monument, the association has

been maintained.

The following sections provide graphic illustration and narrative descriptions of the applicable
characteristics of the cultural landscape. Following is a list of the primary contributing Landscape
Features, These features are those that have an outstanding significance and should be preserved.

Stafford Homestead:

Orchard Area
Partial foundation of Martha Stark cottage
Pile of Wood posts
Rock piles related to field clearing
Gravesite with headstone

Cabin Area:
Row of eight cypress trees
Single-course rock alignment / enclosure
Rock-ringed hearth and scatter
Fence post bases

Faraway Ranch:

Main House

Cowboy House

Storage Shed

Bam and Tool Shed

Tool Shed

Generator House

Office / Garage

Bunkhouse / Guest Quarters

Secondary Faraway Ranch Structures, including graves
Corrals, Fences, Chutes, and Gates

Windmill located at NE end of reservoir / cattle tank
Orchard Trees

Irrigation ditches

Swimming Pool

Stone fence running N/S from ranch out building
Faraway Ranch roads (dirt surfaced roads criss-crossing area)
Other historic vegetation (see Supplemental Information)
Faraway Ranch Well in orchard east of house

Faraway Ranch Tank / Reservoir

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 21 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

these to support themselves and the ranch. After acquiring the Stafford property, they developed the
guest ranch. Although Hildegard moved away shortly after the founding of the guest ranch, Lillian
remained the primary decision-maker and ran the business even after marrying Ed Riggs. Lillian
became totally blind in the 1940s, and lost her husband several years later, but with the aid of hired
hands, continued to run Faraway Ranch asa combined cattle and "dude" ranch well into the 1960s, As
“The Lady Boss of Faraway Ranch,” she was the subject of a feature article in the Saturday Evening
Post of March 15, 1958.

The Faraway Guest Ranch is significant under criterion A as one of the first guest ranches to open in
Arizona. Kumble describes eight guest ranches in the San Simon and Sulphur Springs Valleys of
southeastern Arizona, including Faraway Ranch, that were in operation at the same period of time, the
1920°s and 1930’s (Kumble, 1991). In advertising literature the ranches promised visitors beautiful
mountain vistas, a very agreeable climate, home cooking, and entertainment such as horseback riding,
hiking, hunting, and moon-light campfires. Vacationing on a working ranch in “Apache country” had a
romantic appeal to eastemers. The guest ranch operation allowed Lillian and Ed Riggs a means of
support, beyond that of their relatively small cattle business, in the rugged and isolated Bonita Canyon.

‘Numerous features that represent as well as define the land use history of the site for the past one
hundred years are retained in the landscape. These features include the orchard and garden areas, the
family cemetery, the building complex that includes the family home and a variety of support buildings,
water tanks, a working windmill, and a corral. The landscape features that are present on the site reveal
its continuum of use by the Erickson family from the time of its establishment as a single family
homestead and ranch to its conversion as a guest ranch in 1918 by the Erickson daughters.

‘The organizational design of the landscape and some landscape features reflect characteristics of early
20th century guest ranches in Arizona. The swimming pool may have been built as an attraction for
guests and additional property and buildings were added to the Erickson Ranch.

National Historic Landmark Information

National Historic Landmark Status: No

World Heritage Site Information

World Heritage Site Status: No

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 16 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

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Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997 : Section B

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 5 of 60


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Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Treatment

Approved Treatment:

Approved Treatment Document:
Document Date:

Explanatory Narrative:

Approved Treatment Completed:

Approved Treatment Cost

LCS Structure Approved
Treatment Cost:

Other Approved Treatment Cost:
Cost Date:

Level of Estimate:

Cost Estimator:

Explanatory Description:

Stabilization Costs

LCS Structure Stabilization Cost:
Other Stabilization Cost:

Cost Date:

Level Of Estimate:

Cost Estimator:

Explanatory Description:

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4) Page 9 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Site Plan

Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997 Section A

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page Sof 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Stafford cabin in the foreground and Faraway Ranch in the background. Curving pathways link
the Stafford cabin, the Martha Stark house, and Faraway Ranch. A recent aerial photograph
shows a similar configuration of paths. This may be considered the primary pedestrian
pathway. Directly across from the corral and cattle chute opening is a wide gate and the
remnants of a vehicular road. The length of the road is approximately 242’ and runs in a
southwestern direction from the tack room. The road is overgrown and therefore only
somewhat visible. In conversations with Park personnel it was speculated that this road
provided truck access to the cattle. We do know that cattle were trucked out for slaughter
(Leavengood, 1995).

‘There are various gates on the site. Most of the gates are wooden and are attached to animal
enclosures. Others are located immediately around the main house and the garden area. The
locations of gate are indicated on the Site Plan accompanying this report.

There is one footbridge, built by the Park Service, crossing Newton’s Wash. The bridge serves
as a link between the main house and Neil’s office-garage and the cowboy house. Torres and
Baumler indicate that the first reference to the bridge, by Neil, was in 1935 (Torres and
Baumler, 1984). To the south of the existing bridge the remains of an older bridge, consisting of
a rock foundation, are on either side of the wash. A 1983 photo of the old bridge indicates that
the design of the new bridge is based on the old one.

Character-defining Features:

Feature: Cobblestone-edged Paths

Feature Identification Number: 105909

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56624

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Cobblestone-edged Paths
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-19

Feature: Faraway Ranch Ranch Roads

Feature Identification Number: 105910

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 56625

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch Roads
LCS Structure Number: FEAF-21

Feature: NPS Access Road for Maintenance
Feature Identification Number: 105911

‘Type of Feature Contribution: Non Contributing

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory Page 26 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

National Register Information

Existing National Register Status

National Register Landscape Documentation:

Entered Inadequately Documented

Existing NRIS Information:
NRIS Number:
Primary Certification:
Primary Certification Date:
Name in National Register:

Other Names:

NRIS Number:

Primary Certification:
Primary Certification Date:
Name in National Register:
Other Names:

National Register Eligibility

National Register Concurrence:
Contributing/Individual:
National Register Classification:
Significance Level:

Significance Criteria:

75000171

Listed In The National Register
03/31/1975

Stafford Cabin

NR Control No. 0611801564

80000368

Listed In The National Register
08/27/1980

Faraway Ranch Historic District
Faraway Ranch

Undetermined
Individual
District

State

B - Associated with lives of persons significant in our
past

A - Associated with events significant to broad
pattems of our history

C - Embodies distinctive construction, work of
master, or high artistic values

D- Has yielded, or is likely to yield, information
important to prehistory or history

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 12 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

from his report that “abusive logging practices led to erosion and possible desiccation of some
streams.” (Bahre, 1995).

Fuelwood cutting was practiced throughout the Chiricahua’s primarily using Mesquite (Prosopis
spp.), Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica), and evergreen woodlands. Wood was the major
fuel for the country until 1910 (Bahre, 1995). According to Bahre, “.. juniper (Juniperus spp.),
mesquite, and desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) were cut for fenceposts, to make wood corrals,
and along with oak (Quercus spp.) to burn lime for cement and to kiln bricks.” (Bahre, 43,
1995). The Daily Tombstone (November 22, 1886) also verified the land use, “Attention
Ranchmen: Shakes, shingles, etc. for sale from mill at the head of Morse Canyon...Juniper
timbers 30 feet in length...” Bahre goes on to state, “The latter were most likely cut from large
Arizona cypress because there were no junipers large enough to cut 30-foot beams from in
southeastern Arizona.” (Bahre, 43, 1995).

Fire frequency decreased at the turn of the century. In fact, fire suppression and overgrazing
were encouraged by forest managers (Bahre, 1995). There has been an increase in biomass
due to fire suppression. Bahre concludes, “Probably the greatest ecological change in the
Chiricahuas since the advent of large-scale livestock ranching has been the change in the fire
regime from frequent small surface fires to occasional large crown fires.” (Bahre, 43, 1995).
Itis speculated that some livestock grazing did occur in the Chiricahuas during the early 18th
century, however major grazing did not take place until 1878 or 1879 with the arrival of
Anglo-American ranchers (Babre, 1995). By the tun of the century the Chiricahua Mountains
were already heavily grazed (Bahre, 1995).

Mining in the Chiricahuas began around the 1860°s with most prospecting occurring prior to the
establishment of the Chiricahua Apache reservation in 1872 (Bahre, 1995). Wildlife inhabiting
the Chiricahuas included “wolves (Canis lupus), antelope (Antilocapra americana mexicana),
Merriam turkey (Melagris gallopavo), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), and black tailed prairie dogs
(Cynomys ludovicianus) and possibly bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and beaver (Castor
canadensis)...” (Bahre, 44, 1995).

The conclusions drawn as a result of Kellogg and Potter’s report as summarized by Bahre
include the following statement: “The ways in which the vegetation of the Chiricahuas has
changed as a result of historic disturbances are not known. Students of southeast Arizona’s
wild landscapes must understand that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries most of the
region suffered from the same types of land-use degradation that affect many Third World arid
environments today....At the present, we have little idea what the Chiricahuas would have
looked like had they not been logged or grazed, had the fire regime not been manipulated, or
had Forest Service management not occurred. Nevertheless, it is clear from the Potter map
that the Chiricahuas were not without significant human disturbance in 1902.” (Bahre, 44,
1995).

It is important to note that this area was also used by Buffalo Soldiers of the Tenth Cavalry that

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 31 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Emma Sophia’s plaque inscription reads as follows:

“Emma Sophia: As wife, mother, friend, God’s spirit was imbued within her. Perils of Indian warfare,
incessant toil and loneliness, of a pioneer land: nothing daunted her, this valiant lady, our mother.”
(Torres and Baumler, 104, 1984). :

According to a June 30, 1951 bill from Tucson Marble and Granite Company, Emma Sophia’s plaque
“fastened in place at grave” cost $55.00 (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Files).

Ben’s burial spot has a traditional veteran’s headstone and reads:
“Louis Benton Erickson, CPL US Amy, WWI, 1891 (a cross symbol) 1978.

Ben's grave area is the only one that contains stones placed in a circle outlining the grave itself.

Hildegarde was cremated and her ashes scattered in the Wilderness of Rocks, However a plaque
commemorating her is affixed to the fence and reads as follows:

“Hildegard Erickson Hutchison, April 27, 1895-July 22, 1978, Youngest Child of Neil and Emma
Erickson, Born at Faraway Ranch, Daughter of Pioneers and child of the Chiricahua Mountains, her smile
and her spirit have retumed forever to the land she loved.”

A site visit conducted in March of 1996 revealed the gravesite to be in good condition, with one Arizona
cypress (Cupressus arizonica) and one alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) shading the site. Large
rocks exist at the southem side of the gravesite (site visit, 1996).

One final note is the presence of Louis Prue ,who was buried in 1892, just outside the iron fence. Prue
settled near the canyon and wished to be buried at the mouth of the canyon, which also became the resting
site for the Ericksons. The grave marker is distinctively different from those on the Erickson’s plots and
lies under an oak tree. It contains the following inscription: “Louis Prue/Died Dec 16, 1892/Aged/49 Yrs
and 6 Ms.” The following quotation illustrates Neil Erickson’s Tesponse to Mr. Prue’s death and burial.
He was traveling in Bisbee when this letter was sent to Emma:

“I am sorry to hear of Mr. Prue’s death, that it should happen in such a way, but our journey’s end in this
world is soon reached and therefore we should all make the best of the life while we do live... At any rate,
give my respect to Mrs. Prue that I feel as much as any one the loss of a good friend and neighbor, but I
am pleased to hear that you have fulfilled his last wish and laid him to rest under the oak on the hillside,”

(Torres and Baumler, 103, 1984).

An additional reference regarding Mr. Prue’s grave can be found in a letter from Lillian E. Riggs to Mr.
Kilburn stating:

“In regard to fixing up Mr. Prue’s grave; His grand-daughter, who lives in California, bas agreed to pay
for the work if it can be kept within twenty-five to thirty dollars. Can you do it for that? I should think

you might, as it will not necessitate any additional travel. I am leaving it up to you as to how it should be
done.” (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Material)

CORRALS, FENCES, CHUTES, AND GATES:

The landscape of Faraway Ranch is comprised of numerous fences, stone walls, gates, corrals, and

Cultural Landscapes inventory (Part 3) Page 19 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Circulation

Both the National Register Nomination Form and The Historic Structure Report discuss the many dirt
roads, paths, and trails found within the historic area, Exactly who built which roads remains a question.
There is evidence that some existed before the Ericksons homesteaded, the CCC workers built some, and
some were built by Neil Erickson (Torres and Baumler, 1984).

There are currently no vehicular roads within the historic area that may be used by visitors. A short dirt
toad exists for use by park personnel. All paths are dirt and lined with rock. It is unclear who placed the
rocks along the paths, but there is speculation that National Park Service personnel placed some of them.
Early photos of the Stafford cabin and the Erickson homestead show dirt roads and paths with no rocks,
but rocks do show up in photographs from the 1950s and the 1960s.

The Christmas card sketch made by Lillian during the 1960’s shows the valley floor with the Stafford
cabin in the foreground and Faraway Ranch in the background. Curving pathways link the Stafford cabin,
the Martha Stark house, and Faraway Ranch. A recent aerial photograph shows a similar configuration
of paths. This may be considered the primary pedestrian pathway.

Directly across from the corral and cattle chute opening is a wide gate and the remnants of a vehicular
road. The length of the road is approximately 242’ and runs in a southwestern direction from the tack
room. The road is overgrown and therefore only somewhat visible. In conversations with Park personnel
it was speculated that this road provided truck access to the cattle. We do know that cattle were trucked

out for slaughter (Leavengood, 1995).

There are various gates on the site. Most of the gates are wooden and are attached to animal enclosures.
Others are located immediately around the main house and the garden area. The locations of gate are
indicated on the Site Plan accompanying this report.

There is one footbridge, built by the Park Service, crossing Newton’s Wash. The bridge serves as a link
between the main house and Neil’s office-garage and the cowboy house. Torres and Baumler indicate that
the first reference to the bridge, by Neil, was in 1935 (Torres and Baumler, 1984). To the south of the
existing bridge the remains of an older bridge, consisting of a rock foundation, are on either side of the
wash. A 1983 photo of the old bridge indicates that the design of the new bridge is based on the old one.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 12 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Period of Significance:

Time Period: AD 1879 - 1918
Historic Context Theme: Peopling Places
Subtheme: Westward Expansion of the Colonies and the United States,
1763-1898
Facet: The Farmers’ Frontier
Other Facet: None
Time Period: AD 1917 - 1977
Historic Context Theme: Creating Social Institutions and Movements
Subtheme: Recreation
Facet: General Recreation
Other Facet: None
Time Period: AD 1934 - 1942
Historic Context Theme: Shaping the Political Landscape
Subtheme: Political and Military Affairs 1865-1939
Facet: The Great Depression And The New Deal, 1929-1941
Other Facet: None
Area of Significance:
Area of Significance Category Area of Significance Subcategory
Agriculture None
Entertainment - Recreation None
Social History None
Ethnic Heritage Black
Architecture None
Military None
Statement of Significance:

“The Faraway Ranch Historic District has significance in the areas of: archeology; historic agriculture;
architecture; conservation, settlement: industry (cattle and guest ranching), military history; and social
history (specifically Black history, Women’s history, and immigrant history with this one family asa
case study).

The district is significant under Criterion A and B as it is associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, (settlement, the Indian wars, the end of the

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 13 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Small Scale Features

Small scale historic features are documented from various time periods throughout the Faraway Ranch
Historic District and include the ranch cemetery, windmill, wells, fences, walls, matates, cooking grills,
bridge remnants, chutes, water tank, and gates. These features are documented in the following
descriptions.

FARAWAY RANCH CEMETERY:

This cemetery is located at the entrance into the Chiricauhua National Monument, at the base of Bonita
Canyon. It measures 20 by 30 feet and is enclosed by an iron fence (Chappell, 1976). It contains burial
sites for Emma Sophia Erickson, Neil Erickson, and Louis Benton Erickson.

Neil Erickson was buried first in this plot on October 18, 1937. According to Torres (1984), Neil
Erickson’s desire was to be buried at the mouth of Bonita Canyon. He planted cypress trees there in order
to mark the site. Dating the presence of the iron fence could be attributed to a purchase made by Lillian in
1940. Emma Erickson was buried immediately adjacent to Neil. Lillian Erickson Riggs is buried in a
Riggs family cemetery a few miles west of the Faraway Ranch cemetery (NPS plaque description, site
visit 1996).

A site visit revealed the inscription of the two bronze plaques displayed on the west side of the fence. One
Teads:

“Sacred to the memory of these pioneers

They came when only the brave dared come:

They stayed where only the valiant could stay

Bom in Sweden, Americans by choice—-not by

accident of birth, they loved their adopted

country and served her well.”

The final inscription reads as follows:

“They carved a home from the wilderness, with the warp of labor and the woof of dreams. They wove a

pattern of life as beautiful as the sunsets and
as enduring as the mountains they loved so well” (Torres and Baumler, 105, 1984).

Correspondence between Lillian E. Riggs and J.K. Sheley of the Arizona Bronze Products Company,
concerning the plaques and dated June 27, 1941 stated the following:

“We will cast the attaching lugs on the back to fit a beveled edge, so the attachment to the fence should
not present any great difficulty. Both plaques will have beveled edges, and I can assure you that you will
find that a nice job will be done on both, in as much as the very best in materials and workmanship is
going into them. I am attaching a copy as it will appear so as to make sure there has been no slip-ups.”
(WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Files).

The inscription on Neil’s plaque reads:

“Neil: Served five years in the Army during the Indian Wars and then twenty five years as an officer in
the United States Forest Service.”

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 18 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Appendix

Park Information

Park Name:
Park Organization Code:
Park Alpha Code:

Property Level And CL! Number

Property Level:

Name:

CLI Identification Number:

Parent Landscape CLI ID Number

Inventory Summary

Inventory Level:

Completion Status:
Level 0
Date Of Level 0 Inventory:
Level 0 Recorder:
Level 0 Site Visit:

Level I
Date Of Level I Inventory:

Level I Recorder:
Level I Site Visit:

Level I

Date Of Level II Inventory:
Level II Recorder:

Level II Site Visit:
Explanatory Narrative:

Chiricahua National Monument
8620

CHIR

Component Landscape
Faraway Ranch
850020

850006

Level II

4/2/1998
J. Cowley
Yes

12/12/1995
P. Froeschauer/Nelson
Yes

9/20/1999
UA student team / L.Nicholas (data entry)
Yes

Parent landscape for Faraway Ranch is actually/more correctly the whole Faraway Ranch
area, ie including extensive grazing lands, which extends outside CHIR park boundaries.

The focus of this Level If Cultural Inventory was to identify and document through
photographs and measurements existing landscape features and character defining
elements of the Faraway Ranch homestead as it functioned as a guest ranch and a cattle
ranch. The following report was compiled by means of a literature Teview, site visits, and

Cuttural Landscapes inventory (Part 4)

Page 1 of 16


20 74

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Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Hierarchy Description

Faraway Ranch cultural landscape is a component landscape of Chiracahua National Monument cultural
landscape. The other component landscape within the park is the CCC Areas cultural landscape.

CHIRACAHUA NATIONAL
MONUMENT PARENT
LANDSCAPE

c ]

FARAWAY RANCH CCC AREA CULTURAL
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE

Faraway Ranch and CCC Area Cultural Landscapes are Component Landscapes of Chiricahua National Monument
Parent Landscape

Cuttural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 1 of 11


Faraway Ranch 7
Chiricahua National Monument

Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997. Section C

[" Atte CREATED “Dest & ATO GOMETRUCTION
ANCH, ADEA, eo

THE CEE CEHETERY He SHOWN
ON OTHER HS

1 OMeINAL MAR LeceTEg AT WA &

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‘es

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 1) Page 7 of 11


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Chronology:

Year Event

AD 1870 - 1879 Moved

AD 1880 - 1918, Homesteaded
AD 1885 - 1886 Military Operation
AD 1886 Purchased/Sold
AD 1887 Built

AD 1888. Established
AD 1894 Homesteaded
AD 1899 Built

AD 1915 - 1916 Built

AD 1917 Established
AD 1918 Purchased/Sold
AD 1920 - 1929 Expanded

AD 1924 Established
AD 1925 Built

Annotation

Settlers enter Sulphur Spring Valley, including Louis Prue
& Brannick Riggs

Stafford Years, one of the first Anglo American settlers

settles in Bonita Canyon

Buffalo soldiers occupied Bonita Canyon

Original cabin purchased by Emma Peterson

Stone room built

Stafford orchard established

Homestead granted to Neil Erickson

Box house built (Main Faraway Ranch House)

Adobe house built (Main Faraway Ranch House)

Hildegard and Lillian started guest ranch business at

Faraway Ranch

Lillian and Hildegard Erickson purchased Stafford
homestead

Guest ranch business expanded.

Chiricahua National Monument Established

Porch built

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 18 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

chutes. The barbed wire fences and wire fences surrounding areas of Faraway Ranch existed to keep
cattle out of the fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and lawn/main house area. The barbed wire’s
directional location suggested that cattle were being restricted from traveling through and grazing (Cap,
1996). Fences and gates dot the landscape of Faraway Ranch. There is a fence surrounding the ranch
house with wire and a stone wall base. Ina letter written by Lillian Riggs to a “Mr. Anderson” she
stated “...we are getting a new low brick wall topped by wire put up around the yard. This necessitates
some concrete work.” (WACC Faraway Ranch Archival Material, 1940-1949). This fence with stone
wall has a main gate located on the northwest corner of the main house lawn. There is also a gate along
the northern portion of the lawn, adjacent to the pool as well as a gate entering the northern most patch of
orchards. The eastern side contains a gate located directly across from the screened porch of the house as
well as a gate located on the southeastern comer of the lawn area. Current illustrations show examples of
fences and gates scattered throughout Faraway. In the Historic Structures Report, it is noted that in 1891
Emma desired the placement of more fences (Torres and Baumler, 1984), The only remnants of a barbed
wire fence near Stafford’s cabin run east west and begin approximately 42 feet westward from the
northwest corner of the Stafford Cabin. The length of the fence is approximately 165 feet with the barbed
wire fallen on the ground and posts remaining.

Two corrals have been associated with Faraway Ranch. One corral is no longer in existence but was
located approximately 200 yards southwest of the main house across the dirt road that ran into the canyon
past the house (Torres and Baumler, 1984). The existing corral was built between 1925 and 1929. It is
located adjacent to the barn and contains a chute. Both the corral and chute are in disrepair (Cap,
interview, 1996).

The Ericksons had both chickens and pigs. There is no evidence of the chicken house that was located to
the east of the generator building, however the stone outline of the pigpen still exists. The pigpen
measures approximately 22’X 20’. A historic photograph shows Emma’s small herd of pigs. The pigpen
has the LCS # 60152.

There are various other small scale structures on the property that relate to the ranching business: a
concrete water trough located 44” northeast of the windmill, near the corral and chute, and a weather
station kept in the south side of the yard and used by Ed Riggs. The water trough has the LCS #60151.
The trough is in a deteriorated state.

Other small scale features located within the landscape include a small grill with an embedded mano
located directly west of the cowboy house, matates located near the main house, and remnants of the old
bridge that extended across Newton’s Wash.

Other: CCC Camp

The CCC Camp, established in the 1930’s was located approximately 3/4 mile from the Stafford cabin in
the Silver Spur Meadow. The few remaining features of the camp are discussed by Baumler (Baumler,
1984),

In the vicinity of the camp can be found a bear cage, located on a northern hillside, the remains of a
subterranean stone cellar-like structure, and a cement slab.

The bear cage is located 239” west of the most western fireplace of the Silver Spur Lodge, and 77” upa
hillside. The cage is constructed over a natural opening. It is constructed of cement and iron bars, The
cage has the LCS# 60173.

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 20 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

stone foundations, borrow pits, trash dumps and scatters, ash pits, hearths, glass and metal
scatters, work areas, and rock piles (Torres and Baumler, 213, 1984). These features are
attributed to Ericksor/Riggs, the Stafford family, and the military camp of 1885-1886 (Baumler,
1984). South of the Erickson homestead, located at the top of a rocky outcrop is a lookout post
for the military camp.

Buildings and Structures

Some built structures found within the historic property relate to the ranching and guest-ranch
businesses, while others provided recreation for the family. The swimming pool, the Bonita
Creek Dam, and the animal enclosures were built by the Ericksons and the Rigges over the
span of their years at Faraway Ranch.

The Main House is to the east of the ranch-related work area. This area contains the Cowboy
House, a storage shed, a tool shed, a barn, a generator house, an office/garage, and a
bunkhouse/guest quarters. All of these buildings are of a very utilitarian design and are
arranged in a cluster.

Character-defining Features:

Feature: Stafford Cabin

Feature Identification Number: 127017

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing
IDLCS Number: 7653

LCS Structure Name: Stafford Cabin
LCS Structure Number: BLDHS-1
Feature: Comfort Station

Feature Identification Number: 101793

Type of Feature Contribution: Non Contributing
IDLCS Number: 7640

LCS Structure Name: Visitor Center (Museum Building & Comfort Station)
LCS Structure Number: BLDG-01H

Feature: Faraway Ranch "Neil's Office"

Feature Identification Number: 101794

Type of Feature Contribution: Contributing

IDLCS Number: 210300

LCS Structure Name: Faraway Ranch "Neil's Office"
LCS Structure Number: BLDGF-08

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 23 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

Condition

Condition Assessment and Impacts

Condition Assessment: Fair
Assessment Date: 09/30/1998
Condition Assessment: Fair
Assessment Date: 10/15/2007

Stabilization Measures:

No landscape stabilization project funding requests are currently in PMIS; there are several for work on
structures,

Impacts
Type of Impact: Deferred Maintenance
External or Internal: Intemal
impact Description: Many of the fences have deteriorated over time. Other features
such as the water tank adjacent to the windmill are in a state if
disrepair.
Type of Impact: Removal/Replacement
External or Internal: Intemal
Impact Description: A high percentage of trees in the orchard have died and planting
organization in the orchards and gardens is no longer discernible.
Stabilization Costs
Landscape Stabilization Cost: 0.00

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 52 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Constructed Water Features

FARAWAY RANCH WINDMILLS AND WATER TANK (RESERVOIR)

Faraway Ranch contains a windmill located southwest of the bam. It is one of the first features visitors
see as they enter the ranch today. It is located adjacent to a water tank or reservoir, which measures
approximately 104 feet east to west with a height between 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet. The width of the
interior area of the tank measures approximately 72 feet running east and west and 88 feet running north
and south. According to the National Register Nomination form: “It consists of a standard pyramidal
metal frame surmounted by a small platform and a metal bladed windmill.” (Chappell, item #7, p. 12,
1976). Neil Erickson constructed this windmill around 1896, shortly after they moved to the canyon. He
drew up plans for the tower, obtained a windmill from Mrs. Rhoda Riggs, and solicited help assembling it
from neighbors that included Ja Hu Stafford (Torres and Baumler, 1984). It was also noted that the
windmill broke down frequently and fairly costly supplies were often purchased for its repair (Torres and
Baumler, 1984). In a letter written by Lillian Riggs to a “Mr. Anderson” she stated: “The windmill needs
watching and one must be releathered soon.” (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Material). The wind
through the canyon had such a force that the windmill had to be turned off many times (Torres and
Baumler, 1984).

Rocks currently surround the tank adjacent to the windmill on three sides (north, west and east) with the
northern side being the most defined. These rocks are large fieldstones or small boulders from the creek
bed and are currently covered with lichen (Chappell, 1976) This tank or reservoir was first mentioned by
Neil Erickson on a U.S. Forest Service document in 1913. He discussed a watering dam on land in the
Chiricahua National Monument. Historically, cattle used the tank (Torres and Baumler, 1984). Today,
the tank continues to have water pumped into it from the windmill, but the pump does not produce a large
amount of water. Deer and other wildlife in the canyon can be seen visiting the tank for water.

WELLS AND WATER TANKS:

A well located adjacent to the main house was constructed by Neil Erickson and his brother John, shortly
after they entered the canyon. This is the oldest documented well on site and is found just outside the
kitchen door. It was built for household purposes (Chappell, 1976). The octagon shape of the well
existing today dates to the late 1920's (Riggs, 1979),

A second well was dug that is “200 feet west of the house, near the barn and open tank of the house,
where Neil’s orchard once stood.” This well was for the purpose of watering the gardens, orchards, and
cattle. It has been identified as “the one with the existing windmill” (Torres and Baumler, 101, 1984).

The third well was built in Stafford’s lower orchard and is located eastward from the middle gate on the
eastern side of the main house. The well is described in the National Register Nomination Form as “... a
well with a small walking beam pump, which the National Park Service has modified by the addition of
electrical connections and new piping. The pump is a Jensen straight lift Jack, Serial No. 1 15, Size 25
DC, rated at 35 strokes per minute, manufactured by the Jensen Brothers Manufacturing Company of
Coffeyville, Kansas, The well may have originally featured a windmill.” (Chappell, item #7, p. 14).

FARAWAY RANCH SWIMMING POOL AND SWIMMIMG HOLE

A constructed, cement swimming pool is located directly east of the terraced vegetable garden area and
northeast of the main house. The pool is a 34’ X 15’ oval. Rocks are placed along the north and the top

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3) Page 16 of 22


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

An additional reference regarding Mr. Prue’s grave can be found in a letter from Lillian E.
Riggs to Mr. Kilburn stating:

“In regard to fixing up Mr. Prue’s grave, His grand-daughter, who lives in California, has
agreed to pay for the work if it can be kept within twenty-five to thirty dollars. Can you do it
for that? I should think you might, as it will not necessitate any additional travel. I am leaving it
up to you as to how it should be done.” (WACC, Faraway Ranch Archival Material)

There is a small gravesite located in the orchard between the Faraway Ranch and Stafford
Cabin with a gravestone inscribed for "R. Stafford". The gravesite is reportedly that of the first
Stafford child, Reveley Stafford who died shortly after her birth, circa 1880. A Stafford
granddaughter reported that the gravesite used to have a rectangular fence surrounding it. The
two remaining posts and the ring of rhyolite cobbles are most likely the remains of that
enclosure. Two yucca plants, noted in the 1984 Archaeology of Faraway Ranch report also
grow from the gravesite.

CORRALS, FENCES, CHUTES, AND GATES:

‘The landscape of Faraway Ranch is comprised of numerous fences, stone walls, gates, corrals,
and chutes. The barbed wire fences and wire fences surrounding areas of Faraway Ranch
existed to keep cattle out of the fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and lawn/main house area,
The barbed wire’s directional location suggested that cattle were being restricted from traveling
through and grazing (Cap, 1996). Fences and gates dot the landscape of Faraway Ranch.
There is a fence surrounding the ranch house with wire and a stone wall base. Ina letter
written by Lillian Riggs to a “Mr. Anderson” she stated “...we are getting a new low brick wall
topped by wire put up around the yard. This necessitates some concrete work.” (WACC
Faraway Ranch Archival Material, 1940-1949). This fence with stone wall has a main gate
located on the northwest corner of the main house lawn. There is also a gate along the
northem portion of the lawn, adjacent to the pool as well as a gate entering the northem most
patch of orchards. The easter side contains a gate located directly across from the screened
porch of the house as well as a gate located on the southeastern corner of the lawn area.
Current illustrations show examples of fences and gates scattered throughout Faraway. In the
Historic Structures Report, it is noted that in 1891 Emma desired the placement of more fences
(Torres and Baumler, 1984). The only remnants of a barbed wire fence near Stafford’s cabin
run east west and begin approximately 42 feet westward from the northwest comer of the
Stafford Cabin. The length of the fence is approximately 165 feet with the barbed wire fallen
on the ground and posts remaining.

Two corrals have been associated with Faraway Ranch. One corral is no longer in existence
but was located approximately 200 yards southwest of the main house across the dirt road that
ran into the canyon past the house (Torres and Baumer, 1984). The existing corral was built
between 1925 and 1929. It is located adjacent to the barn and contains a chute. Both the
corral and chute are in disrepair (Cap, interview, 1996).

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 35 of 60


H2217(IMSF-CNR) f >

OCT 7 2 1909

Memorandum
To: Superintendent, Chiricahua National Monument
From: Historical Landscape Architect, Santa Fe Support Office

Subject: Transmittal of Faraway Ranch Level 2 Cultural Landscape Inventory,
1999 CLAIMS database version

Alan -- I am enclosing a copy of the Faraway Ranch Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI), as it appears in
the CLI computer database (CLAIMS) here in Santa Fe, for the park’s information and review. Lisa
Nicholas, a landscape architecture graduate student intern, entered the data from the 1997 University of
Arizona CLI directly into the computer, with some rearranging as needed to fit the CLAIMS format. So,
this hardcopy does not contain any new information or analysis, except some clarification on historic
vegetation. Because the CLAIMS version contains only some of the graphics from the University of
Arizona document, it does not replace or supercede the University of Arizona work.

As you know, CLI completion relates to park GPRA goals Ia7 and Ib2B. This CLI will be “GPRA
complete” when a Condition Assessment for the property is determined. The CLI uses the same criteria for
Condition as the RMP Guidelines; I am attaching a copy of the CLI Condition criteria, for your reference.
If you can let me know how you would rate the Faraway Ranch landscape in terms of condition, I will add
this to the computer file, and the CLI will be “GPRA complete.” Based on my last site visit, and knowing
that you have done some work on the corrals since then, I would estimate a “fair” condition for the
landscape as a whole, based on discussions at the park on work still needed within some of the landscape
areas. This is my estimation; the rating is your call. Also, if park staff have comments on the CLAIMS
version (e.g., updated information, corrections), I can also address these. If you have any questions about
how this CLI relates to your GPRA goals, feel free to contact me.

As I mentioned when the University of Arizona CLI was formally transmitted, I would be happy to assist
the park in any follow up work with the Arizona SHPO related to the Faraway Ranch cultural landscape
(e.g., proposed revision of National Register District boundary as mentioned in the CLI and illustrated in
the Boundary graphic on page 8 of the University of Arizona document).


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

AD 1925 - 1929 Built

AD 1925 - 1929 Moved

AD 1925 - 1935 Altered

AD 1927 Altered

AD 1928 Built

AD 1930 Built

AD 1930 Built

AD 1934 Land Transfer
AD 1945 Purchased/Sold
AD 1955 Purchased/Sold
AD 1955 Removed

AD 1973 Retained

AD 1978 Expanded

Swimming pool built by Ed Riggs

The Bunkhouse, which had been an addition to the
Stafford cabin, was detached from the cabin and moved to
its present location

Ed Riggs remodeled the exterior and interior of the
Stafford cabin

Interior plumbing installed in Faraway Ranch

New corrals and shed built

Cowboy house built

Second story added to ranch house

Ed and Lillian leased land to the Civilian Conservation
Corps

Lillian Riggs sold 80 acres at the east end of the Stafford
Homestead to a group of investors who created Silver
Spurs Ranch

Lillian Riggs subdivided and sold some of the remaining
parcel of the Stafford homestead, retaining 53.96 acres

Gas generated lighting system at Faraway Ranch is
removed and replaced by carbide and kerosene lamps

Ranch business ended

Public Law 95-625 authorized expansion of Chiricahua
National Monument to include Faraway Ranch

Cultural Landscapes Inventory

Page 19 of 60


Relationship of CLI to ICAP

The Inventory and Condition Assessment Prggram
(ICAP), a module of the Maintenance Management
(MM) program, assists in planning for the
maintenance and major treatment of cultdral
landscapes through an inventory and
assessment of their features. ICAP
annual inspection forms and other r
a preventive maintenance progral
data into the park MM program. It/s a computerized
and systematic process for guidjng maintenance
and operations of NPS assets (buildings, roads,
trails and walks, grounds and fandscapes, outdoor
sculpture) at the park level.

ICAP organizes its information on the basis of
assets and features. The/CLI organizes its
information on the basis Af landscapes, landscape
features, component lapdscapes, and component
landscape features. This organization may or may
- not be parallel with IQAP (i.e., a landscape may be
physically divided fof maintenance differently from
the way the CL! divides it based on historical
significance). It is/important to consult with the
park's Chief of Maintenance to understand how the
landscape is maintained and to identify how the
information in the CLI can best serve maintenance.
However, the first priority for organizing the
information if the CL! should be the historical
significance/and character of the landscape as
defined by/the professionals conducting the work.

Informatign collected in the CLI may interface with

and graphics to the ICAP Grounds/Landscape
Module in a suitable format. The upload is
perfgrmed on an as needed basis for a park or for
several parks. The decision on whether to upload
ICAP information for a given park is made based
ugon discussions among park management, the
hief of Maintenance, and the appropriate CLI
oordinator. The “Maintenance Management
‘Code” provides the link between the CLI and ICAP
and MM.

ConpiTion ASSESSMENTS AND
IMPACTS

Condition Assessment

Indicate the current condition of the inventory
unit based on criteria listed in the Resource
Management Plan Guideline and Software
Manual (1994). Select one of the following
categories:

Good: indicates the inventory unit shows no
clear evidence of major negative disturbance
and deterioration by natural and/or human
forces. The inventory unit’s cultural and natural
values are as well preserved as can be expected
under the given environmental conditions. No
immediate corrective action is required to
maintain its current condition.

Fair: indicates the inventory unit shows clear
evidence of minor disturbances and
deterioration by natural and/or human forces,
and some degree of corrective action is needed
within 3-5 years to prevent further harm to its
cultural and/or natural values. If left to continue
without the appropriate corrective action, the
cumulative effect of the deterioration of many of
the character defining elements, will cause the
inventory unit to degrade to a poor condition.

Poor: indicates the inventory unit shows clear
evidence of major disturbance and rapid
deterioration by natural and/or human forces.
Immediate corrective action is required to
protect and preserve the remaining historical
and natural values.

Unknown: Not enough information is available
to make an evaluation.

Note: The condition of the inventory unit must
be determined at the completion of Level II:
Landscape Analysis and Evaluation, but may
be undetermined during prior inventory work
(i.e., Levels 0 and 1). Condition should be
based on consultation and concurrence with
park management.

(See Relationship of the CLI to NPS Strategic
Planning and GPRA)

62 Cultural Landscapes Inventory Professional Procedures Guide


Author: Dave Evans at NP-CHIR
Date: 7/29/01 4:27 PM
Normal

TO: CHIR Superintendent (Alan Cox) at NP-CHIRCC: CHIR Resource Management (Alan Whalon)
NP-CHIRCC: Jose Ramirez at NP-CHIRSubject: Faraway CLI entry into CLAIMS-~~~-~-----=----~
a aaa mad Message Contents

Jill Cowley is ready to finish the Faraway Ranch CLI entry into
CLAIMS, the CLI data base. This will fulfill the CLI GPRA goal for
Faraway. Once entered into CLAIMS, Jill can make any changes the park
may want, such as a potential enlargement of the CLI boundary later,
easily and quickly, without having to wait several years in line, as
we do for original entry into CLAIMS.

From you she needs an E-mail (see below) that states your approval of
a condition assessment to assign the Faraway cultural landscape.
Jill, Alan Whalon and I agree that "fair" is the appropriate
condition. More information is in CLI CLAIMS version cover letter
and condition definition page that is attached to the hard copy of
this note that I'll put in your mail box.

Please let me know if you have any questions and please copy me on
what ever you send to Jill. She'd like to hear from you by August
15. Thanks.

Dave

P. S. Something like the words below are what Jill needs.

Jill,

I recommend that a "FairTM condition assessment be given to the Faraway
Ranch CLI that is now up for final into CLAIMS. Thank you for seeing
this entry through to completion.

Alan Cox


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

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CRBIB

The Archeology of Faraway Ranch, Arizona,
Prehistoric, Historic, and 20th Century

Baumler, Mark F
1984
550319

CRBIB

The Camp at Bonita Canon, A Buffalo Soldier Camp in
Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

Tagg, Martyn D.

1987

550330

Library Of Congress/Dewey Decimal

Human Disturbance and Vegetation in Arizona's
Chirachua Mountains in 1902.

Bahre, Conrad J.

1995

Library Of Congress/Dewey Decimal
Sunset Western Garden Book
Brenzel, Kathleen

1995

Narrative

Library Of Congress/Dewey Decimal

The Transformation of Landscape: Culture and
Ecloogy in Southeastem Arizona

Hirt, Paul

1989

In: Environmental Review, v.13, Fall/Winter, 1989

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 13 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Supplemental Information

Title:
Description:

List of Additional Graphics

All graphics listed are located in the Faraway Ranch CLI hardcopy at the
Santa Fe Support Office

1, Location of Faraway Ranch Within Chiricahua National Monument
2. Topography of Faraway Ranch
3. Rough Schematic of Cultural Landscape Boundary of Faraway Ranch

4. Plan View of Yard and Kitchen Garden Area Surrounding Main House
of Faraway Ranch

5. Schematic Layout of Erickson Family Cemetery
6. Grazing Areas Used by Ed and Lillian Riggs, 1993

7. 1902 Map of Chiricahua Mountain Area, with Homestead Acreage
Shown

8. Enlargement of 1902 Map of Chiricahua Mountain Area showing the
location of the Erickson homestead

9. Christmas Card Sketch by Lillian Riggs showing circulation between
Faraway Ranch and Stafford Ranch

10. Restorative Vegetation Plan, Faraway Ranch, Chiricahua National
Monument

11. Existing Vegetation Plan, Faraway Ranch, Chiricahua National
Monument

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 4)

Page 16 of 16


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Faraway Ranch Site Plan, 1997 Section A

Property Level and CL! Numbers.

Inventory Unit Name: Faraway Ranch
Property Level: Component Landscape
CLI Identification Number: 850020

Parent Landscape: 850006

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 6 of 60


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

Buildings And Structures

Some built structures found within the historic
others provided recreation for the famil

while

animal enclosures were built by the Ericks

The Main House is to the east of the ranch-related work area.
storage shed, a tool shed, a barn, a generator house, an offi

All of these buildings are of a very utilitarian design and are arranged in a cluster.

Property relate to the ranching and guest-ranch businesses,
ly. The swimming pool, the Bonita Creck Dam, and the
‘ons and the Rigges over the span of their years at Faraway.

. This area contains the Cowboy House, a
ice/garage, and a bunkhouse/guest quarters.

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure
Feature Contribution Name Number Number
Faraway Ranch "Neil's Office” Contributing Faraway Ranch "neil's 16040 BLDGF-08
Office"
Faraway Ranch Barn and Tool Contributing Faraway Ranch Barn And 16036 =BLDGF-04
Shed Tool Shed
Faraway Ranch Bunkhouse Contributing Faraway Ranch Bunkhouse 07652 QTRO29E
Faraway Ranch Cowboy House Contributing Faraway Ranch Cowboy 16034 BLDGF-02
House
Faraway Ranch Garage and Shed Contributing Faraway Ranch Garage And 16039 BLDGF-07
Shed
Faraway Ranch Power House Contributing Faraway Ranch Power House 16038 BLDGF-06
Faraway Ranch Storage Shed Contributing Faraway Ranch Storage Shed 16035 BLDGF~+03
Faraway Ranch Tool Shed Contributing Faraway Ranch Tool Shed 16037. BLDGF-05
ry | oo. ,
Faraway Reagh Main House Contributing Faraway Ranch Main House 16033. BLDGF-01
Comfort Station Non-Contributing
Page 14 of 22

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3)


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

branding and the preparation of cattle for shipment elsewhere. Two areas, owned by Ed Riggs,
‘were mentioned in oral histories where cattle was grazed; one the Double Z Ranch near
Apache Pass, used for winter grazing and the Holderman Ranch for summer grazing
(Leavengood, 1995).

Horses that were provided for guests were kept near the main house. A tack room is
connected to a corral to the northwest of the main house.

The main house is oriented on a north/south axis with the vegetable garden and swimming pool
to the north and the main orchard to the east. This created a pastoral scene for guests to view
from inside the house or while relaxing in the yard. The main house, which provided sleeping
quarters and eating areas for guests, is located at the mouth of a canyon, leading into the
Wonderland of Rocks and providing trails for horseback riding.

The Stafford homestead to the east of the Erickson homestead was purchased by the Erickson
daughters, Lillian and Hildegarde. The Stafford cabin was used by Lillian and Ed Riggs for
guest accommodations during years the guest ranch was operating.

Landscape Characteristic Graphics:

Spatial Organization, Faraway Ranch, 1997

Topography

Bonita Canyon provided an ideal topographical setting for the Ericksons in terms of having both
level ground upon which to build and farm, and unique rock formations in the immediate
surrounding mountains to capture the interest and imagination of guests from all parts of the
United States.

There is little evidence of manipulation of the land to accommodate the Erickson homestead.
Those areas that today show change include: a small terraced area immediately to the north of
the swimming pool where a vegetable garden was located, a narrow, single terrace running
along the east side of the home and within the fenced yard; and a leveled area to the west of
the cowboy house.

The terraced area to the west of the swimming pool, where the vegetable garden was located,

‘Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 40 of 60




Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument

The cement slab may have been a foundation for a structure.

other end was overgrown with roots and grass.

‘The remains of the stone cellar consist of 3 standing walls and a broken wall. The average height of the

walls is 4’6”. A stone lined dirt path leading from the Silver Spur fireplace accesses the structure.

Only one side of the slab was visible, the

Characteristic Type Of LCS Structure IDLCS Structure

Feature Contribution Name Number Number

Fences, Chutes and Gates Faraway Ranch Fences, 60150 FEAF-14
Chutes, Gates

Cemetary Fence Contributing Faraway Ranch Cemetery 60157 GRD002A,
Fence

Emma Erickson Grave Marker Contributing Emma Erickson Grave 60161 GRD002D
Marker

Faraway Ranch Stone Fence Contributing Faraway Ranch Stone Fence 60163 FEAF-13

Footbridge Contributing Faraway Ranch Foot Bridge 16042 FEAF-20

Infant Daughter's Grave Marker Contributing Infant Daughter's Grave 60162 FEAF-25
Marker

Louis "Ben" Erickson Grave Contributing Louis "ben" Erickson Grave 60158 GRD002B

marker Marker

Louis Prue Grave Marker Contributing Louis Prue Grave Marker 60159 GRD002E

Neil Erickson's Grave Marker Contributing Neil Erickson Grave Marker 60160 GRD002C

Pig Pen Ruins Contributing Faraway Ranch Pig Pen 60152 FEAF-17
Ruins

Stone Walls Contributing Faraway Ranch Stone Walls 60148 FEAF-14B

Page 21 of 22

Cultural Landscapes Inventory (Part 3)


Faraway Ranch
Chiricahua National Monument.

from Dr. Margaret Livingston, instructor in the Landscape Architecture Program at the
University of Arizona (site visit, 1996 and M. Livingston, 1996). Refer to Supplemental
Information for information provided by Kumble regarding existing (1984) and historic
vegetation.

GROUND COVERS:
1. Vinca major Periwinkle
2. Buchole dactyloides (Buffalo Grass)

VINE SPECIES:
3, Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

SHRUB SPECIES:

4, Spiraea prunifolia (Bridal Wreath Spirea)

5. Cotoneaster hupehensis (Hupeh Cotoneaster)
6. Pyracantha species Cultivar (Pyracantha)

TREE SPECIES:

7. Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash)

8. Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)

9. Pyrus communis (Common Pear)

10. Prunus species (Apricot)

11. Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress)

A noteworthy vegetation site (though not part of the original 160 acre Erickson homestead) is
the “lower orchard” which was planted by the Staffords before the Ericksons moved into the
canyon. The Staffords planted a variety of fruit trees and depended on the income from the
sale of this produce to the army at Fort Bowie and to various neighbors (Chappell, 1976). This
orchard was planted in a grid pattern and extended from the Stafford cabin westward to the
Erickson ranch, encompassing about two acres (Livingston, 1994). It contained a variety of
fruits including pears, peaches, apples, and persimmons. Although early plantings of the trees
were plagued by frost, crops were continually produced each year (Livingston, 1994).
Evidence of the remnants of these fruit trees can be seen on site today. Parent persimmon
trees continue to exist, and their seedlings have grown into mature trees. Historic photographs
also illustrate the orchard when it was in use. In addition, a row of eight cypress (Cupressus
spp.) trees is located running north and south directly westward from the Stafford Cabin.
These can also be seen in photographs dated prior to 1932 (Livingston, 1994). Although no
documentation exists stating the reason for these trees, they were possibly used for a
windbreak. These are the only vegetable gardens and fruit orchards documented in the area
during that time. Garden produce including radishes, beans, lettuce, cabbage, onions,
‘watermelon, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, parsnips, corn, and squash was sold by
Stafford to Fort Bowie, the Buffalo Soldier’s camp, local ranchers, and markets (Livingston, 14,

1994), The garden is thought to have been two to four acres in size, and located on the eastern

Cultural Landscapes Inventory Page 43 of 60