The History of MacDonald's Ranch 

The following story by Don Schoenau appeared in the June 1998 issue of A Peek at the Peak, a monthly newsletter published by The Greater Pinnacle Peak Homeowners' Association.

"MacDonald's Farm" by Don Schoenau

"Ole MacDonald had a farm, did he ever! Only out here they call it a ranch.

Back in the early 1950s the ranch which the Richardsons leased from the State Land Department consisted of 50 sections of 31,000 acres. The original ranch ran from Union Hills Road north to Carefree Highway and east from Cave Creek Road to Pima Road.  There were no fences and the country was open range with cattle grazing at will. With the sale of the adjoining land, the present ranch consists of 1,300 acres at the corner of Scottsdale Road and Jomax Road.

Moving the abandoned sheriff's office from across "a dirt trail"

In talking with Mrs. Leola Richardson, who reared 12 children in a home where the present MacDonald's Farm is, she said that it was constant work for the entire family to operate the ranch. They built their home and ranch buildings on the property, with the exception of moving the local Maricopa Sheriff's abandoned office from across Scottsdale Road.  There was no plumbing and the water was pumped from a well that they had dug.  Later, they sold the well and bought water from the Carefree Water Company, which ran a nine-mile pipeline to the ranch. Mrs. Richardson remembers riding frequently to check the pipeline with her husband.  All the desert could support was about 200 cattle, plus cows, chickens and other animals that they raised for food.  At that time Scottsdale Road was a dirt trail that ended at Pinnacle Peak Road.

"A fella gets his full distance ..."

By 1970,  much of the ranch was sold to developers (something new?) and the remaining portion of the ranch was leased to the Richardsons.  It became a horse ranch that offered a variety of trail rides and children's entertainment.   The offered something for everyone, such as trail rides to the Verde River, overnight rides as well as six-mile rides for $4. Bob Richardson, the owner had the following comments: "About that six-miler, there's none of this standing and waiting while the horse eats grass.  Our horses move and we're more interested that a fella gets his full distance, then in taking his money."

No mechanical vehicles here!

The same philosophy continues 27 years later under the management of Lynn and Justin Jacobs. Much has changed however, to accommodate the requests of the present visitors. Alison Salone told me that almost 50 percent of their clients are local families with children.  Many are third generation visitors.  In addition to the guided rides, cookouts and hay rides, there is a petting zoo for children which includes chickens, goats, pigs, burros and many other animals.

There are no mechanical vehicles on the property, it's all horsepower.   The entire staff lives on the property, as in the old days, and guides ride over some 20 miles of trails.  They cater birthday parties as well as large groups at over eight locations on the ranch.  In fact, you need a guide because it is so easy to get lost, in spite of the city lights all over the horizon.

Variety of horses for riding and TV commercials

They have a great variety of horses available to ride including: Appaloosas (which were originally bred by the Nez Perce Indians), Pintos, Paints, Quarter horses, Tennessee Walkers, Mustangs, Mules and Half Lingers. The Half Lingers are an Austrian/German breed, a small sturdy horse that was bred to do farm work and also carry a heavy man.  The horses come all breeds, all sizes and colors.

One of the most interesting that I saw was the Black Percheron, which was originally bred in France.  They are huge, weighing 2,000 to 3,000 pounds and standing over 8 foot, hoof to ears! The were ridden by the early Crusaders where a large, strong horse was needed to carry a man with a full suit of armor. ... You can see and ride these and many other horses today at MacDonald's on hayrides, trail rides or wagon pulls. The four-up Percheron Hitch, pulling an early 1900s era hitch wagon, appears in many local parades. Teamsters got their name from the horses pulling wagons. MacDonald's also provides horses for the Hash Knife Pony Express, Buffalo Soldiers and local riding clubs for other parades.

... The horses are frequently used in television commercials and movies are shote here, such as "The Staircase" starring Barbara Hershey, Diane Ladd and Billy Peterson, which recently appeared on Channel 5.

Gila Monsters on the move

With all the development closing in on them, the wildlife has moved north on to the farm.  It is common to see bobcats, owls, coyotes, javelina and gila monsters during one of your rides.  Whether you come for a visit, a ride, or a cookout, IT IS WORTH THE TRIP!"

Don Schoenau