Mrs. McCormick is responsible for introducing Arabian horses to Arizona and for establishing the highly respected All Arabian Horse Show that is still a major part of the Arabian horse industry today. Older fans, or knowledgeable young persons, who are interested in the breed, may recognize the names of two of her stallions – Mustafa and Naborr. I am more of a Quarter Horse fan, but even I am aware of the significance of those names.

I particularly admired Gainey Ranch. I saw it as a tidy oasis in the desert. On most summer afternoons, you’d see a horse standing in a pond beneath a couple of big shade trees. Not drinking, just standing, often hipshot, obviously dozing. I was told by a local farrier that it was the ranch’s aged foundation sire what had foot trouble and found it soothing to stand in the mud, but I don’t know if that was true. Ganey Ranch also raised Hereford cattle that could regularly be seen grazing in pasture that paralleled Scottsdale Rd.

Just south of the SE corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Indian Bend, where the railroad park is now, was also an Arabian horse ranch that belonged to Mrs. McCormick’s son (Fowler McCormick’s stepson), Guy Stillman. The railroad park that is on the corner today was a project Mr. Stillman built on land that was donated to the city, by the McCormicks, to be used as a park. Naturally, the city (in its typical Who-cares-about-history? mindset) later sold about 2/3 of the land to developers. But, I digress. The Stillman Arabians were lovely.

One of my friend’s father was acquainted with someone who was somehow connected with the planning and zoning commission. Through him, he got a copy of Kaiser Aetna’s proposed plan for the development of McCormick Ranch and my friend and I had a chance to examine it, one day. The original proposal consisted of far less development and more open space than what was actually developed. It also included an elaborate network of bridal trails. It was designed to be an equestrian community. It was expected that the All Arabian Horse show would continue to be held on the northeast part of the property (east of the old pre-freeway Pima Rd.) and that many Arabian horse enthusiasts would purchase homes and live in that development, creating a winter home base for many Arabian horse owners. Before those plans could be put into effect, KA sold the property to another developer. All you have to do is drive through McCormick ranch by way of Hayden Rd., McCormick Pkwy., or Via de Ventura to see that the master plan that the city considered originally was something quite different than what was originally planned – more’s the pity. Anyone who has lived in Scottsdale for any length of time ought not to be surprised by that sort of move.

These people and their vocations, avocations, and properties had a tremendous impact on the development of Scottsdale. People who were not here to see that impact sometimes seem to think that they were just part of the “idle rich” who came to lie in the winter sunshine and throw lavish parties for their rich friends. They were, in fact, people who worked – if not because they needed to make a living, then because they needed to be productive – and who contributed greatly to the community. I am glad to have been able to see many of their accomplishments before “progress” wiped them all away.

Thanks again
Terry