Between 1877 and early 1878 the three partners, Walter Vail, Herbert Hislop, and John Harvey worked to find cattle for the Empire Ranch and improve the four-room structure that came with the ranch purchase. They also had to contend with the dangers of raiding Chiricahua Apache warriors, and neighborly competition for land and water resources. Horseshoeing and Interior Decorating–January 1877 In January 1877 Vail writes (1/2/1877): “We are having…
Frank and Mary Boice arrive at the Empire Ranch—1929 Frank, Mary, Pancho and Bob Boice moved from the Onyx Ranch in Kern County, CA to the Empire Ranch. Mary Boice took photographs of their trip which included a stop for repairs of the starter on their auto. Photo caption/credit: Series of Mary Boice photos of the family’s move to the Empire Ranch, 1929. Courtesy of Martha Madani. Headed for Arizona, 1929. ERF archives: B206-097. Headed for Arizo…