5 minute read
REAL ESTATE:
JOHN WAYNE, “THE DUKE” HAD TIES TO STANFIELD, ARIZONA
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ARTICLE BY JIM OLSON 520-705-8868
In the late 1950s, American icon John Wayne bought a 4,000-acre cotton farming operation near Stanfield, Arizona on the advice of his financial advisor. In a short time, the famous actor knew he was in trouble. He was losing money in the farming business. His financial advisor, who was running the farm, didn’t know any more about cotton than Wayne did—maybe less. He needed to do something about his farm and he needed to do it sooner than later.
John Wayne needed to replace his farm management. As fate would have it, when he asked around about who the best in the business might be to help him with his cotton farm, he was put into contact with Louis Johnson, who owned the farm next door. At first Johnson turned down the offer to manage Wayne’s farm, because he was already busy enough. Later, however, the two men had a long visit and got along wonderfully. At that meeting, “Louie” and “Duke” started a lifelong friendship. A partnership for the ages was born.
Over the years the “Red River Land Co.” as it was known was increased to a 14,000-acre operation. The partnership expanded and soon built an 85,000-head cattle-feeding operation known as Red River Feedlot. Other ventures and a ranch near Springerville were added as well. The partnership of John Wayne and Louis Johnson literally made millions of dollars over the years. Both have been quoted as saying they never had a disagreement. Not only were they great business partners, but good friends first.
This well-known partnership came to an end when John Wayne died on June 11, 1979. They would probably be partners to this day if the men were both still alive.
After Wayne’s death, Red River Land Co. was sold. Famed businessman Karl Eller bought it (the business, property and name) and over the years it was sold off in tracts of between several hundred to thousands of acres. Most of it remains in agriculture production to this day.
The last of the original Red River place owned by the Red River Land Co. (which is how Karl Eller bought the property, name and all), was purchased by Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson and a partner in 2002. As a result of that deal, the Olsons wound up with over 100 adjoining acres. They immediately went to work building a dream place they felt the Duke would approve of. They wanted to build a western show place!
The drive way is one of the old dirt runway air strips that was used by crop dusters on the Red River fields. Rumor has it the Duke himself used to land there in a private plane when he wanted to go bird hunting. The place was built with the idea, if John Wayne was to make a modern
day western here, what would the “Range Boss’s” headquarters look like. Maybe a modern version of what was in Big Jake or McClintock. The headquarters needed to stand out, but still be “country.” And being in Arizona, it needed to be distinctly southwestern.
The main home was completed in 2002 and over the years, many other western style improvements that stand out were made. And yes, there have been films, commercials and numerous western themed photo shoots done on the property since. It is likely to believe the Duke would be proud of how a part of his old property was used to help perpetuate the lifestyle he loved so much.
Today, the Olsons still have 24 of those original acres and due to changes in their life and business needs, they have reluctantly decided to offer the place for sale. The following is how it is described in a sales brochure:
This highly improved property was once a part of John Wayne’s, Red River Ranch. There are 2 homes, shop, lighted arena, irrigated pastures, pipe and rock fencing, mature desert landscaping with super views of Tabletop mountain and numerous other amenities.
The main home is 5,000 sq. under roof, which includes covered porches and garage. Of that, there is 2,500 sq. ft. livable with 3 bedrooms (2 large and 1 standard size) with 3 bathrooms. It was custom built in 2002 with many upgrades such as custom cabinets, flooring, extra insulation, wood work and more. There is a full RV hookup next to the main home.
The “bunkhouse” was built in 2007 and is 1,150 sq. and consists of 2 bedrooms with one bath, a kitchen and living room and a tack/wash room. It was built to look like a smaller version of the main home and also has the same type of upgrades. There is the ability to hook up an RV next to the bunkhouse.
The 24 acre property consists of 10 acres with irrigation rights and 14 acres of desert with great desert vegetation. There are lots of big trees on the property and the main driveway is tree lined. There are 5 pastures (4 irrigated), a very well lit arena with pipe pens, a covered shop area with separate tool room and the entire property is fenced and cross fenced with various combinations of pipe, no climb wire and rock pillars. Large animals (and most smaller animals such as dogs) cannot leave or enter the property unless you open a gate. There is 1 owned well and 1 shared well associated with the irrigation rights for the property. Domestic water comes from the irrigation wells and is pumped into a 15,000 gal water storage tank. There is also a class 2 commercial water right in addition to the irrigation rights. Each home has its own electric service, septic system, etc..It is a show place!
Contact Jim Olson at 520-705-8868 for more information
