A Brief History of McCormick Ranch

In 1943, Fowler McCormick, with John D. Rockefeller, purchased 4,236 acres in Scottsdale, Arizona as a winter home for himself and his wife, Anne. Until 1969, it was a working ranch that produced prized Black Angus cattle and championship Arabian horses. Mrs. McCormick was active in all aspects of the ranch's operation, living on it from Thanksgiving to mid-April each year. She was responsible for bringing Arabian horses to Scottsdale and helped found the All Arabian Show.

The crops grown on 600 acres of the ranch fed the stock being raised. Upon Mrs. McCormick's death in 1969, the horses and the ranch were sold to Kaiser-Aetna. When Kaiser-Aetna purchased the ranch, it was the country's largest single piece of property sold for a planned community within city limits.

The transformation of the McCormick's ranch was based on a master plan developed by Gruen Associates of Los Angeles and Scottsdale Environmental Planners and Consultants. Development began with infrastructure and amenities. By starting the development with amenities, homeowners would have them from their very first day of residence. The aesthetic amenities include two championship 18-hole golf courses, more than 25 miles of bicycle paths, public tennis courts and 130 acres of man-made lakes which can be used for sailing and fishing.

There are many, many more masterplanned communities in the Valley - whatever your price range, wherever you desire, whatever amenities you're looking for, golf, waterfront, desert growth, high with views, close to shopping (shopping is everywhere!), it is here!