EXPLORE: WHITE STALLION RANCH
Providing exceptional guest services, the ranch works to preserve the life of the cowboy but also it hears the future. ARTICLE BY JANE EPPINGA
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or more than fifty years, the True family has served as stewards of the White Stallion Ranch while providing exceptional guest service. Russell who received a degree in business from the University of Arizona is in charge of marketing and interfaces with all facets of the ranch management. His wife, Laura, runs the horse program and social media. His son Steven and his wife Alice share responsibilities for front desk, activities (excluding riding), and outside events. Steven is also on the board of directors of The Dude Ranchers Association (the only multi-state organization of dude ranches with more than 100 members).-
David works in the corral and in activities. Russell’s brother, Michael oversees, building projects, maintenance, bookkeeping, transportation and logistics in general. Michael’s wife Kristen is in charge of housekeeping and the kitchen. The cuisine is quality ranch fare and the White Stallion receives and accommodates many requests for special diets including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals. White Stallion Ranch was originally built in the 1900’s a cattle ranch. The first buildings were constructed of Mexican adobe brick made of mud and straw. During the recent renovations, wire and horseshoes were found in the walls. A
Family is important at White Stallion Ranch. Courtesy White Stallion Ranch PG. 14 :: FALL 2019
small area of the original adobe is on display in the dining room, the original building on the ranch. It was homesteaded by David Young in 1936. Herbert and Vine Bruning purchased the ranch in 1939 to raise cattle, chickens and turkeys. They changed the name to CB Bar Ranch and it was once home to 30,000 birds. In 1945, Max Zimmerman, a Chicago liquor store owner, bought the ranch. Zimmerman moved back and forth between the ranch and Chicago. The twice annual moves made his wife, say “no more”. He named the ranch the MZ Bar Ranch and constructed six buildings complete with kitchenettes for guests. In 1949, Mary Varner purchased the property, continuing to operate it as a guest ranch; she also offered long-term rentals to the nearby Marana Army Airfield. In 1959, Brew and Marge Towne, of Cape Cod, Massachusetts bought the property and renamed the ranch White Stallion. In 1965, Allen and Cynthia True arrived from Colorado to make the ranch their home, with Russell, five years old and baby Michael still in a crib. By then the ranch consisted of 17 rooms, 17 horses and 200 acres. The number of guest ranches left in the area had dropped to about thirty; most were casualties of Tucson’s Urban Sprawl. With an eye toward the future, Allen and Cynthia purchased adjacent land as it became available, increasing the ranch to 3,000 acres. Today, the ranch offers 43 rooms and a five bedroom hacienda as guest accommodations. While maintaining the traditions of the West with many of the original buildings still in use, Russell and Michael have added a sunken tennis court, a movie theater, a renovated pool and hot tub area with a serenity patio, lighted sport courts, a spa area and fitness center. They have established one of the largest privately
