The History of the Farm

Once an Arabian horse ranch, Aravaipa Farms has transformed into a stunning retreat. The Garden Casita and outdoor Ramada preserve the ranch’s history, including the original barn doors. Though the horses are gone, the property now thrives under the care of creative minds.

The Timeline

1984-1995

BILL FARNEY’S VISION
In 1984, Bill Farney, drawing from his family’s California orchard experience, planted over 2,000 Asian pear, peach, and apricot trees in the scenic Aravaipa Canyon. A pioneer of organic farming, Bill tended to the land until 1995, when he sold the farm to Carol Steele, the "Godmother of the Phoenix culinary scene."
1995-2016

CAROL STEELE’S DREAM
Carol envisioned a farm-to-table experience in a remote canyon inn. She moved into the Farmhouse, worked with artisan Lazaro Cervantes to build casitas and outbuildings, and offered meals made from fresh, farm-grown ingredients. Her culinary expertise soon attracted visitors from around the world.
2016-2021

THE MADDEN FAMILY’S RESTORATION
In 2016, the Madden family took over the farm, restoring the orchard and inn over five years. With guidance from Carol and Bill, they planted new trees and renovated the property. Bill’s teachings on organic farming continue to shape the orchard’s success, even after his passing in 2018.
2021-present

IN OUR OUTLAW ERA
In 2021, the Madden family sold the farm to real estate investors whose identities remain unknown. The property is managed by dedicated innkeepers and seasonal workers who share a passion for this land and exploring the great outdoors. All we know is employee paystubs say “Outlaw Orchards,” and that’s a pretty dope name if you ask us.

The History of Aravaipa

Aravaipa Canyon is more than just a beautiful natural landscape—it’s a place where history is written in the land itself. As you explore, you may come across evidence of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. These artifacts, from prehistoric tools to pioneer remnants, provide clues about the area's past and are invaluable to archaeologists and historians. Please help preserve these sites by respecting them and leaving artifacts undisturbed.

Early Inhabitants: The Archaic and Agricultural Cultures

The Aravaipa watershed has been inhabited for over 9,500 years, starting with hunters and gatherers during the Archaic Period. Later, the Mogollon, Hohokam, and Saladoan peoples settled here. The Hohokam and Salado were skilled agriculturalists, living in pithouse villages and maintaining a complex social structure. The canyon’s limited space made large-scale farming difficult, so these groups used the land seasonally, utilizing a variety of plants such as saguaro and prickly pear cacti, mesquite, oak, juniper, agave, and sotol. Hunting and fishing were likely also seasonal activities.

The Salado and Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling

The Salado people left the canyon by 1450, but remnants of their culture remain. One of the most intact examples is the Turkey Creek cliff dwelling, located just 1.4 miles south of the east wilderness entrance. This site, likely inhabited by farmers around 1300 AD, offers a fascinating glimpse into their way of life. A trail leads visitors up to the structure, but please help protect this ancient site by refraining from climbing on the cliff walls.

The Aravaipa Apache

In the mid-1800s, the Aravaipa Apache tribe inhabited the canyon and Aravaipa Valley, nestled between the Galiuro and Pinaleño mountains. Their way of life was based on hunting, gathering, and some corn agriculture. They moved seasonally, collecting foods such as mescal, saguaro fruit, mesquite beans, pinyon nuts, and acorns. The Apache lived in dome-shaped brush dwellings and stored their food in round baskets.

A Strategic Corridor: Spanish and Anglo Influence

During the colonial era, Spanish and Anglo settlers used Aravaipa Canyon as a travel route between Tucson and the Gila Valley. At the same time, the Apache used the canyon for raiding routes into Sonora. The Sobaipuri people, living to the west of the San Pedro River, provided a buffer for the Spanish against Apache raids. However, by 1762, the Apache raids became so frequent and severe that the Sobaipuri left the area, joining the Pima at San Xavier Mission in Tucson.

Camp Grant and the Apache Conflict

As tensions with the Apache intensified, Camp Grant was established in 1856 at the junction of the San Pedro River and Aravaipa Creek. In 1871, the Apache agreed to stop their raids and settle near the camp. However, that same year, the infamous Camp Grant Massacre occurred when Tucson citizens, along with Tohono O’odham people, attacked and killed over 100 Apaches in retaliation for continued raids. Following the massacre, Camp Grant was moved to the south side of Mount Graham in 1872 due to rising malaria cases. Soon after, 1,500 Aravaipa and Pinal Apache were relocated to San Carlos.

The Arrival of Settlers and Growth of Aravaipa

In the 1870s, Anglo and Hispanic settlers began arriving in Aravaipa Canyon, attracted by opportunities in mining, farming, and ranching. With the end of Apache hostilities, settlement increased in the 1890s, driven by short-term mining booms. The village of Klondyke grew into a central hub for the region, surrounded by ranches, farms, and mining ventures, and became the main distribution point for the eastern part of Aravaipa Canyon.