The name “DC Ranch” wasn’t dreamed up out of nowhere. The neighborhood in Scottsdale has its roots in a successful cattle ranch, and these historic upbringings have left a permanent and tangible mark on the area’s overall philosophy and aesthetic.
Residents were able to move into DC Ranch homes in the late 1990s, but the legendary property known as “DC Ranch” has actually been around for over a century.
E.O. Brown, DC Ranch
After Fort McDowell closed in the early 1900s, marking the end of the militant struggle between settlers and the native population of Arizona, western soldiers packed their bags to leave town, allowing other Anglo entrepreneurs and settlers to lay claim to the area.
One of these property-savvy businessmen was E. O. Brown, who left his native Wisconsin in 1901 to take advantage of the cheap real estate being advertised in the Arizona desert.
Brown ran a successful general store, water company, icehouse and cotton gin. He also laid claim to land in an area that had been previously established by businessman Doc Crosby, who had branded his “Desert Camp” cattle brand in 1895 (this is where “DC” Ranch gets its name).
Over time, Brown, by offering credit to many pioneers at his general store, acquired the holdings to surrounding property which helped expand his ranch to nearly 43,000 acres.
After he acquired the title to the only perpetual water spring in the McDowell Mountains and the “Silver Leaf” Mining title that was attached to it (the origin of the name of the community and private club within DC Ranch, Silverleaf Club), Brown and his family were able to move into the first home ever built on the ranch. According to the DC Ranch HOA website, water from the spring was piped and directed to tanks all over the property. The water from these pipes still streams three gallons/minute to homes in the DC Ranch community.
In the 1980s, descendants of the original landowners partnered with DMB Associates Inc. to create a housing development that would showcase the surrounding desert. After teaming up with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and the City of Scottsdale, modern DC Ranch was created.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s one-time apprentice, Vernon D. Swaback, designed the community to combine the best attributes of nature and architecture.
DC Ranch is now home to more than 25 neighborhoods and villages.
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Interested in DC Ranch and Silverleaf homes for sale? Contact your DC Ranch real estate experts today by filling out the Contact Form below or calling 602-694-3200. The Matheson Team would be happy to help you find your dream home.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
