Silver Spur Ranch

In 1941 William Jesse Spragge (Bill Sr.), following his doctor’s advice, travelled to Arizona for the warm and dry climate. He was at that time living in Buffalo, New York with his wife Jessie, oldest son William J. (Bill Jr.), and younger son John O. (Bud) Spragge.

Bill Sr. initially travelled to Douglas, where the head of the Chamber of Commerce directed him to lodgings at Ed and Lillian Riggs’ Faraway Ranch in Bonita Canyon at the Chiricahua National Monument. It was there that Bill Sr. and Ed struck up a friendship that included hikes, horseback rides, and tours along the trails created and built by Ed and the men of the CCC Camp NM-2-A.  Day trips to historical sites throughout the area, such as Tombstone and Fort Bowie were also taken.

It was during one of Bill Sr.’s early visits to Arizona that he began to have the idea of opening a guest ranch of his own. He saw an opportunity in the former CCC Camp, envisioning a transformation of the buildings and grounds into what would become the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.

Bill Sr. designed alterations to the interior and exterior of the main building of the former CCC camp that he renamed the Long House. The Recreation Hall, across the Meadow (now known as the Silver Spur Meadow) was also refurbished at this time, as were lodgings to be used for guests. Changes to the Long House included the addition of the two stone chimneys. These chimneys were constructed by Red Wright, a stonemason from Tucson, who was helped out by Bill Jr and Bud Spragge. Bud Spragge remembered that after the Silver Spur Ranch was up and running, he began placing coins in between the stones of these fireplaces; guests followed this tradition by placing additional coins there.

Bill Sr. also designed the brochure and letterhead, which included the drawing of a single silver spur by Bud, who used his brother Bill Jr.’s spur as a model.

Construction had begun, however, the US engagement in the war effort resulted in shortages of both building material and man power. Ultimately the CCC Camp was able to be transformed into the ranch that Bill Sr. named the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.

Bill Spragge Sr. not only redesigned and reconverted the buildings for his ranch, he also cultivated a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere where guests could relax and enjoy a comfortable stay within the natural beauty of the Chiricahua National Monument.  He sought not to cater to the luxury trade, but to have a guest ranch where “the average wage earner may come for an enjoyable and comfortable stay” (“Silver Spur Ranch Opening Next Month”, unknown newspaper, July 1945).      

Some of the activities that were offered were trail rides on horseback and hiking on the trails in the Chiricahua National Monument, chuck wagon meals, dances in the Recreation Hall, and occasionally rodeos. The Silver Spur Ranch hosted groups such as the Kiwanis club for chuck wagon lunches and dinners. Guests from the Happiness Three Nations Tour had their only stop in Arizona at the “Wonderland of the Rocks” and enjoyed a chuck wagon dinner hosted by the Silver Spur Ranch in 1946 and 1947.  The Silver Spur Ranch participated in community activities, such as the parades for the Fiesta de los Caballeros held in Tucson in April 1947, and the Fiesta de los Vaqueros, a three day rodeo event held in Tucson in February 1947.

All that remains today of the ranch are the two stone fireplaces built during Bill Sr.’s conversion of the CCC camp into the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.  Today in the Chiricahua National Monument there is the namesake Silver Spur Meadow and the Silver Spur Trail, which takes visitors past the fireplaces directly through the footprint of the Long House.