It was 1928 when the Staggs family ventured from Tennessee and homesteaded the original 160 acres that make up the Lazy K.

After establishing a variety of successful enterprises in Tucson, the Staggs sold the property in 1932 to the Hulsebus family.

In 1936 the property changed from homestead to guest ranch.

Hailing from Big Timber, Montana, the Van Cleve's owned the Lazy K Bar guest ranch in Montana.

They looked to Tucson to build a guest ranch they could operate in the winter, when their Montana ranch was closed.

The Van Cleve's purchased the property for $32,000 in 1936.

They converted the original stone house into the Ranch office, built three adobe casitas for guest accommodations, added a small dining room and brought in a few good dude horses to ride.

The Lazy K Bar's popularity as a desert retreat for dudes from all over the world blossomed under the ownership of Milroy and Rosemary Blowitz and their son Bill Scott. The Evans and Shiner families currently own the ranch.

The special feeling that drew the Staggs and Van Cleve's here also beckoned Native Americans to the property before them.

Throughout the years, people have remarked that the spirituality quality of the Ranch brings them back.

Elmer Staggs often told stories of Apaches lining up along the ridge above the Lazy K. Generations of Lazy K owners would tell tales of visits from friendly spirits who built campfires and strolled the trails.

The Lazy K Bar Ranch and its surrounding property have also been locations for some familiar movies over the last 60 years.

The 1939 epic western "Arizona" with Jean Arthur and William Holden was filmed in the area, introducing movie fans to authentic desert locations.

"Maverick" with James Garner and "How the West was Won" with James Arness are on the list as well.

Several TV episodes, including "Gunsmoke" and "High Chaparral" were also filmed in part at the ranch. You may recognize "Movie Pass" to the northwest of the ranch, where many a stagecoach or posse rode in or out of town.

The Lazy K Bar has earned its place in dude ranch history. Those of us who have had the privilege to be included in this journey have been, and will continue to be dedicated to the preservation of this lifestyle and heritage.

We look forward to sharing our western hospitality with many more generations to come.