Tombstone Heritage Ranches

GLEESON, AZ

     Tombstone Heritage Ranch is located about 15 miles east of Tombstone, Arizona and 8 miles west of Elfrida, Arizona just off of Davis Road. Consisting of approximately 6,500 acres of rich sandy loam soil, it was originally divided into 161 separate ranches, each consisting of 36 acre parcels.  The north and south entrance is the historic North High Lonesome Road, which connected the ghost town of Gleeson with the famous copper mining area of Bisbee, Arizona.

     The north and south areas are divided by Davis Road, which in days gone by was a cow path used by the ranchers to herd their cattle. This area was a part of the original Cowan and Davis Ranches which stretched some 24 miles from Tombstone to Elfrida from east to west and the northern and southern boundaries from the Mule Mountains to the Dragoon Mountains.      

     At one time, this area was known for its large cotton and peach producing ranches however, most of the older ranches have been sold and divided.  Now this area is becoming known for its many pecan orchards and vineyards that have many County officials and local residents in the surrounding towns anticipating the potential for agricultural business.  This fertile rich valley is surrounded on the south and west by the Mule and Whetstone Mountains, on the north by the Dragoon Mountains and on the west by the Swisshelm and Chiricahua Mountains. A few miles to the southeast and viewable from much of the ranch is the world famous McNeal Wildlife Refuge that brings bird watchers from all over the world.  Winter season is the busiest time of the year for the refuge when the Sandhill Cranes make their annual migration to our area from Siberia, Russia.

       Some of the other nearby attractions are of course the namesake town of Tombstone, Arizona and the mining town of Bisbee, Arizona. There are the ghost towns of Gleason and Charleston as well as the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and the Whitewater Draw. In Douglas is the Gadson Hotel originally a Grand Hotel and now a historical site. In the Dragoon Mountains to the north is the famous Cochise Stronghold and located in the Chiricahua Mountains to the northeast is the Chiricahua National Monument.  This monument is one of the most spectacular rock formations on earth. Throughout the valley there is considerable agriculture in addition to ranching.       

      There is a Property Owners Association covering all these ranches, composed of resident owners.  These members ensure that the area receives proper maintenance, and to enhance the investment of all the owners. There is a set of Codes Covenants & Restrictions that provides guidance on how the development can proceed with regards to any modifications and enhancements made to each ranch site.  These are reviewed and modified periodically by a majority of the owners to ensure that all vested interests are protected as well as maintaining pace with ever changing social conditions.