Sierra Bonita Ranch: A Glimpse into History

Located in Bonita, Arizona, Sierra Bonita Ranch stands as one of the oldest cattle ranches in the United States, having been in the same family for over 150 years. It’s a remarkable lineage in southeastern Arizona.

“I’m a bit of a handler and taking turns,” said Jesse Hooker Davis, the current owner of the expansive ranch. Indeed, the beauty of Sierra Bonita is striking, and it’s clear that this land has been cherished through six family generations.

“We are said to be the oldest ranch still in the same family,” Davis added with evident pride.

This 60,000-acre ranch is nestled in Graham County, specifically in the Sulfer Springs Valley, just northwest of Wilcox, and the views are nothing short of breathtaking.

“I’ve got mountains on either side,” Davis pointed out. “I think my ancestor chose wisely.” His ancestor, great-great-grandfather Henry Hooker, is the family member who first staked their claim here.

Story has it that when Henry moved his cattle to the area, it became home to a cottonwood grove that signified the presence of groundwater—a great indicator for the livestock. Davis explained this a bit further.

Henry Hooker, also known as “the Colonel,” established Sierra Bonita Ranch back in 1872. Under his stewardship, the ranch became a significant beef supplier for military units stationed in Arizona territory.

As the operation grew, Hooker’s property expanded to about 250,000 acres spanning Graham and Cochise counties—an impressive 800 square miles, with around 30,000 cows at the height of its operations.

Interestingly, despite his success, Hooker maintained a style reminiscent of a New England gentleman, which is where he hailed from. “He was extremely kind, always inviting people to the dinner table,” Davis reminisced. “But you had to wear a coat. If you didn’t have one, he’d provide it.” Such generosity always makes for a memorable story.

Henry Hooker’s ties to history even include a connection to the infamous shootout at the OK Corral. In the spring of 1882, Hooker reportedly hosted the Earps and Doc Holliday at the ranch. “Yeah, they were friendly and stayed here,” Davis mentioned. “So the movie got that detail correct.”

There are tales of outlaws in the ranch’s history too. “Billy the Kid worked here for about a day,” Davis said, adding that the young outlaw had a rough time with a blacksmith nearby. Historical accounts claim he shot and killed an individual named Cahill before making a quick escape back to New Mexico.

“He wasn’t exactly the employable type,” Davis observed, perhaps thinking back on the chaotic nature of those times.

Today, the ranch is a living history site, complete with the original Adobe barn and house, where Jesse and his longtime girlfriend reside. “Everything we build here is original,” he stated.

Sierra Bonita was designated a national historic landmark in 1966, and it operates under Hooker’s brand. Davis explained this brand—a bent H—symbolizes his middle name, Hooker, with its leftward curve adding a unique character.

Continuing the legacy, Jesse still raises the original Hereford cattle breed introduced by Henry Hooker more than a century ago. “You have to be careful when developing a lineage,” Davis remarked thoughtfully.

Since his football days at Cornell, Jesse has transitioned into cattle breeding. He aims to maintain a herd of around 1,000 cows on the ranch. “I’m incredibly proud of this work,” he said, clearly passionate about safeguarding his lineage while also protecting the land.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. He has earned a couple of Conservation Pastor Awards, reflecting his commitment to sustainable ranching practices.

“You have to coordinate efforts with care for the land and wildlife,” he noted. Davis expressed a strong desire to pass the ranch down in even better condition than he received it.

Though Sierra Bonita Ranch is a national historic landmark, it’s still a working ranch and is generally closed to the public. It seems to exist both as a tribute to the past and a functioning part of the present—a balance that Jesse appears eager to maintain.