History of Sin Vacas
Following the Gadsden Purchase, in 1853, the land that would eventually be known as Rancho Sin Vacas became part of Arizona-New Mexico Territory. Little is known of its use until after Arizona became the nation’s 48th State on Feb. 14, 1912. As state-owned property the land was used primarily for the grazing of cattle.
On August 7, 1928, three transactions occurred concerning the property. The State conveyed the land to Hazel Lovejoy. Then, Hazel and W. E. Lovejoy passed the land to D. T. MacDougall, who conveyed it to Mary Rumsey. Just over a year later, on August 21, 1929, Rumsey sold the property to Pima Canyon Properties. *
On May 28, 1936, William J. (Jack) Holliday, a steel manufacturer from Indianapolis, purchased the land from Pima Canyon Properties for use as a winter residence. It is believed that it was Holliday who fenced the land and gave it the name Rancho Sin Vacas – Ranch Without Cows. Holliday was a lover of desert wildlife. He placed water troughs throughout the property, and under his stewardship Rancho Sin Vacas enjoyed a sanctuary-type environment.
For easy access to the property Holliday used a dirt airstrip that he located along present-day Calle Sin Controversia.
Jack Holliday became something of a local luminary and an admirer of things southwestern. Prior to his death, in 1967, Holliday donated his considerable collection of southwestern memorabilia -- including three photo albums of California and Arizona Indians -- to the Arizona Historical Society. A handsome portrait of Holliday, painted by Leopold Seyffort, Jr., hangs in the entry hall of the Society at 949 E. 2nd St. The bronze placque below the painting notes: “The Arizona Pioneer Historical Society – In appreciation to W. J. Holliday – Friend of the Society – and patron of its publications – Scholar and collector of Western Americana – Donor of the Holliday collection.”
Developer Kelley Rollings acquired Rancho Sin Vacas following Holliday’s death. It was Rollings, and his Spanish-speaking accountant, Catalina Randall, who came up with such distinctive street names as Calle Sin Pecado (Street Without Sin), Placita Sin Muerte (Place Without Death), and Calle Sin Envidia (Street Without Envy).
In 1977, Kelley Rollings sold a fair portion of Rancho Sin Vacas to Bill Estes, Sr., a leading developer of Tucson real estate. Rollings retained the parcels that would become Villa Sin Vacas, Santa Catalina Villas, La Rosa and Villa Milano, as well as some residential lots along Calle Sin Ruido. Lot # 235 remains a Rollings-owned parcel.
Bill, and his son, Bill Estes, Jr., recognized the unique character of Rancho Sin Vacas, and wanted to develop it with prime residential lots set amid the property’s established vegetation. Following the tracks platted by Rollings, The Estes Company built and paved the roads.
During this time, in the original ranch house, a surprise 40th birthday party was held for Bill Estes, Jr. “The roads were still under construction,” Bill recalls. “It was a formidable challenge for the guests to find their way to the party, while conspiring with my wife to keep it all a secret from me!” (The ranch house is located at the end of Placita Sin Lucha. It has been completely restored by Steven and Nancy Meyers.)
On Wednesday evening, September 20, 1978, at 5:30 pm. the Estes Company held a preview showing of the beautiful sites. At 6:45 pm, following a engaging presentation on the exclusive properties, non-binding reservations were accepted. “As I remember,” says Bill Estes, Jr., “the Phase One lots were gone within the next hour.”
Phase One consisted of Lots #106 through #195. Prices ranged from $33,000 to $47,000. Bob Brokaw was among the first to sign up, choosing Lot # 157 on Calle Sin Controversia. Other early purchasers were Joseph and Shirley Baca, who chose Lot #108 for their home on Placita Sin Lujuria.
As Bob Brokow recalls, “Before long the home sites were being cleared, foundations laid and stunning homes were being built.”
The dramatic SIN VACAS portico at the entrance to the development originally graced the El Conquistador Hotel that stood on Broadway, where El Con Mall is now located. Built in 1928, the fashionable hotel was torn down in 1968. Kelley Rollings dismantled the portico, numbered the pieces and stored them until they were brought to Rancho Sin Vacas.
It was a daunting task to reassemble the structure. Finally, a mason who – with his uncle – had built the portico in 1928, agreed to put it back together again. Despite the significant stabilization work done on this landmark it continues to require careful maintenance and occasional repair. An attendant is on duty 24/7 enabling the building to serve as a reception station for visitors, as well as a “welcome home” for residents.
Today, 184 houses have been built in Rancho Sin Vacas. There are 27 lots still available, while an additional 25 lots have been purchased by home owners to enhance their views. Property values continue to rise, making Rancho Sin Vacas not only a wonderful place to live, but a good investment for the future.
N.B. Sin Vacas legend has it that at one time the Harriman Family had owned the property. Perhaps the best known member of that family was W. Averill Harriman, FDR’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James (1946), later Governor of New York (1955-1958), and unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination (1956).
The Harriman name is not recorded in the title search of the property. To date, this reporter has been unable to ascertain whether there were any Harrimans associated with Pima Canyon Properties. If you have any knowledge of such a connection, or if you have any corrections or additions to this history, please contact Nina Bell Allen at: nopalesnina@comcast.net