Passed down through four generations, the history of the Circle Bar Ranch started during a time when the power of the law was in a drawn gun and retribution was sought at the end of a rope. The ranch survived outlaw rustlers and authentic shoot-outs to remain an area of natural grace. Ironically, the culprit that inflicted the most damage on the property was an arsonist skunk on a stormy summer day.

Lightening strikes are common during Arizona summers and one hot day in 1926 there was a particularly bad storm brewing. Lightening crackled, threatening to strike the trees that surrounded the outskirts of the property—but finally settled on the woodpile, just yards from the house. The dried wood sparked aflame instantly, forcing a family of skunks to evacuate – but one was too late in fleeing. Awash in flame, the unfortunate skunk chose to seek refuge under the ranch house, causing the home to catch fire and burn to the ground. The only casualties that day were the house and the arsonist skunk.

The matron of the house requested that the new house be built in concrete to avoid future arson attempts by wildlife—and the ‘26 House was born and still stands today.

When you schedule your event at Whitney’s Circle Bar Ranch, ask us to provide you and your guests with an opportunity to experience the history that shaped the great state of Arizona. We’ll be pleased to tell you about rustlers and shootouts, giving you an inkling of why they called it the wild West!