Episode 46: El Rancho Robles Rides High In Oracle's Saddle!
Inspiring young musicians ...and the rest of us too
When Magma Copper Company was gearing up the mine, mill, and smelter in San Manuel more that 50 years ago, Oracle like the rest of the Tri Community experienced a voracious demand for worker housing. Tucson builder Lamar Cotton seized on that demand establishing two subdivisions on properties carved out from El Rancho Robles’ patented land - Robles and Oracle Village Estates - and provided the impetus for bringing a reliable water supply our way. Since then generations of Oracle residents have lived in those neighborhoods sustained by water pumped uphill from Oracle Junction by the Arizona Water Company.
Even after Australia based BHP destroyed Magma Copper Company, and in doing so decimated our employment base, El Rancho Robles has stood tall.
When Oracle residents fought the lords of hyper growth led by Cherokee Development in the 1980’s, El Rancho Robles was a prominent player. Then owned by Marcia Black, the ranch stepped up by opening its doors to multiple meetings and trainings organized in the heat of the political battle. One such meeting included a decisive encounter with then Pinal County Supervisor Lionel Ruiz.
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These days community uplift continues to prevail. When Kaz and I helped out with meal prep for the Oracle Piano Society’s Chamber Music Festival earlier this year we came face to face with the brilliant young musicians enjoying the food, fellowship, and atmosphere offered up at El Rancho Robles described by OPS Founder Dr. Stephen Cook as “an inspiring and unifying experience for our students and faculty”.
Since 2019, the Oracle Piano Society (OPS) has relied on El Rancho Robles as the homebase for the annual Chamber Music Festival. OPS rents the entire ranch (!) so students and faculty live, eat, take lessons, practice, and participate in social events on those spectacular grounds.
Dr. Cook goes into detail about the relationship: “Laura Bayardo, the manager has been our primary contact from the start. She is incredibly helpful, accommodating, welcoming, friendly, and kind. She always ensures that we are provided with a nonprofit discount and goes above and beyond by providing logistical support for the great challenge of making sure that every student and teacher has a place to practice or teach. Last year, we rented many pianos to be placed in rooms throughout El Rancho Robles. She helped us with this process as well.”
“Andrew Kirk, the grounds manager is also a great help and a fun personality. He helped us to arrange a campfire activity for students to enjoy during the festival. He's always there and eager to provide support when needed.”
“Since Hope Morris has taken over ownership, we have noticed a great improvement in the ranch as a whole. Room by room, she seems to be working to make meaningful upgrades which enhance quality while still preserving the unique historic flavor of the place. She has upgraded the Internet, preserved the historic pool, preserved the amazing speakeasy and continues to build the property up to a high standard of quality.”
“This January 2-7, 2025 we will hold our next Chamber Music Festival. One exciting development is that four Cuban Exchange students will attend this year. They will stay on the grounds the entire time with all other students. This cultural exchange will benefit them as well as the other students attending.”
As the relationship between El Rancho Robles and Oracle continues to deepen, the town and the people who live here are evolving for the better. With copper and cattle in our rearview window, artistic creativity surges to the forefront.