Springerville Fairgrounds

 

A couple of years ago, I was heading to Tombstone, Arizona for a clampout. Along the way, I stopped by John Wayne's former ranch, the 26 Bar Ranch in Eagar. 

Above, the 26 Bar Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After taking some photos, I headed on to Tombstone. In nearby Springville, I passed by the Springville Fairgrounds. The top photo of John Wayne was taken there in either the 1960s or 1970s.

The fairgrounds looked the same when I passed by. 

26 Bar Ranch and John Wayne

Above, the 26 Bar Ranch ranch house last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, while driving to Tombstone, Arizona for the spring clampout, I drove to Eagar, Arizona to see the 26 Bar Ranch. The ranch was once owned by actor John Wayne.

The official John Wayne posted the following about the ranch yesterday:

Happy Thanksgiving Pilgrim! We are thankful for you!

Duke is pictured with his 26 Bar Ranch partner, Louis Johnson. The 26 Bar Ranch was a big part of the Wayne family's life and is especially significant this time of year because they spent every Thanksgiving at the ranch for the annual cattle auction.⁣

John Wayne and his partner, Louis Johnson, owned more than fourteen thousand acres in the Casa Grande area, where the Red River Feedlot and ranch headquarters were. They also grazed cattle each summer on leased government land in the area around Springerville and Eagar, Arizona. Their operation also included growing twelve thousand acres of cotton in nearby Stanfield, Arizona.

The John Wayne: An American Experience Museum & Supply in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Texas, will be closed today in observance of Thanksgiving. We will resume normal operating hours tomorrow and will be open from 9am to 6pm.

The John Wayne 26 Bar Ranch Collection

Above, the 26 Bar Ranch last April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last April, while driving to a campout in Tombstone, Arizona with a fraternal group I belong to, I drove by the former ranch of John Wayne, the 26 Bar Ranch in Eagar, Arizona.

Since it is private property, I didn't enter it. But I took some photos of it from the gate and perimeter fence.

As things happen as they sometimes do, the John Wayne Stock & Supply Company has introduced a new line of merchandise commemorating Wayne's ranch. I received an email from them last evening.

This is from the email (in part):

Included is a coffee mug. The price is $65, which I thought is a lot of money for a coffee mug. That is, until I saw the details of it.

John Wayne used to give gold handle mugs to the cast and crew as a “thank you” after the making of each film. The first design in a limited-edition series (only 300 made), this mug features a 26 Bar logo, which comes from John Wayne’s personal 26 Bar Ranch belt buckle, a real gold-dipped handle, his signature and a legendary note on the bottom. 

• 9oz ceramic mug
• Hand painted 12 karat gold handle
• Do not microwave, hand wash only due to the precious metal
• Proudly made in the USA
• This item is Limited Edition of 300 and part of our 26 Bar Ranch Collection

 To see the full line of 26 Bar Ranch goods, go here.

Springerville and Jerry Springer

Above, Jerry Springer.

Until April 12, I hadn't thought of Jerry Springer in years, not that I really ever did.

I was heading to Eagar, Arizona on April 12, which John Wayne's former ranch, the 26 Bar Ranch, is located. I was en route to Tombstone. Eagar is right next to Springerville. I was because of that town's name that Jerry Springer came to mind. I don't believe I ever watched his show, but my ex-roommate may have.

Then, word came yesterday that Springer died of pancreatic cancer at age 79. 

It is weird how things like this work out.

John Wayne and the 26 Bar Ranch

Above, the main ranch house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As mentioned in a prior post, I drove by John Wayne's former Hereford cattle (a British breed) ranch in Eagar, Arizona (next door to Springerville). I stopped and snapped some photos from the fence near the ranch entrance as there were "No Trespassing" signs posted. The 26 Bar Ranch is now owned by the Hopi Tribe.

The 4,000 acre ranch, the 26 Bar Ranch, was an investment for Wayne.

Above, John Wayne at the 26 Bar Ranch with two of his kids.

From John Wayne.com:

 As part owner of 26 Bar Ranch, Wayne had a major stake in the cattle game.

Located in Arizona, 26 Bar Ranch was just one of many productions Wayne enjoyed in the state. He filmed classics including “Stagecoach” and “Red River” and spent time with his family there. (From their experience at 26 Bar, Wayne’s kids learned the nuts and bolts of real ranch work and riding horses). Apparently, the Wayne-Arizona love affair was mutual: a stretch of the state’s route 347 is known as John Wayne Parkway, and his former ranch wrangles interest to this day.

That Bar 26 Ranch was a lucrative investment for Wayne is in large part because he was invested in its success, which from the beginning was anything but assured. Wayne was an actor, after all, and humble enough to recognize what he didn’t know. When he needed a partner to hop into the saddle with him, someone he could trust who could bring a solid hand on the operation, Wayne proved an able scout of talent too. In neighboring rancher Louis Johnson, he procured a partner and a pro—not only did Johnson bring stewardship that helped the enterprise turn a handsome profit, he became a lifelong friend of Duke’s. (Bets between the two men led to new cars for both—many, in fact.

A few photos of the ranch:

Above, "26 Hereford" is on a hillside on the ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Saw John Wayne's Former Cattle Ranch

Above, the 26 Bar Ranch once owned by John Wayne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I headed off to Tombstone, Arizona for the spring clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter of  E Clampus Vitus.

I decided to leave today so that I could drive in Arizona's White Mountains and see the former cattle ranch of actor John Wayne in Eagar, Arizona, the 26 Bar Ranch.

Above, a zoom shot of the main ranch house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was able to view the ranch from the main gate area (there were "no trespassing" signs posted). It is now owned by the Hopi tribe. I didn't see the "historical marker" that was placed near the ranch.

The ranch looked exactly like the photos of it I've seen online. I stopped and took a few photos of it before heading back on the road. After leaving Eagar, I passed by the Round Valley Rodeo Grounds in Springerville. I have seen Wayne there in photos from the 1960s at events and the grounds looked the same now as it did then.

Above, John Wayne at the Round Valley Rodeo Grounds. I saw this spot as I passed by it today.

The road to Willcox, Arizona (where I am spending the night at the KOA) was a long one. Much of it was in forested mountains that were winding with low speed limits. It was a scenic drive, but even I got weary of the winding roads. I drove around 380 miles today.

I reached Willcox just before 2:00 and after setting up camp, I jumped into the campground's hot tub for a good hot soak. That felt great after that long drive.

I will be heading into Tombstone tomorrow morning. It is probably around a 60-mile drive.