Friends of Oracle State Park

 

Friends of Oracle State Park, Inc.
P.O. Box 8405
Tucson, AZ 85738
(520) 825-0488 

 

Kannally Ranch Restoration

The Kannally Ranch House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The original 160 acre ranch was purchased by Neil and Lee Kannally in 1903. The two brothers were later joined by three other family members (sisters Lucile and Mary, and brother Vincent) and the ranch grew to almost 50,000 acres.

Initially, the Kannallys slept in a small adobe cottage on the original 160 acres, but later a second cottage was built for Mary and Lucile. The present Kannally Ranch House was built in 1929–1932 and is of Mediterranean Revival Style with Moorish influences, patterned on Italianate villas of the 1920s.

 
Kannally Ranch House garden and the Park gift shop located in the house.

Following the death of Lucile Kannally in 1976, the ranch was willed to the Defenders of Wildlife, which later deeded the ranch to the Arizona State Parks Board. The newly renamed Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education is a 4,000 acre wildlife refuge and environmental learning center for school and adult groups. The park facilities were designed to be compatable with the ranch's natural surroundings and also to provide access for individuals with special needs.

The Friends of Oracle State Park raises funds for the restoration, preservation and operation of this historic Ranch House and its grounds at Oracle State Park. It is our goal to help restore and maintain the Kannally Ranch House, its gardens and grounds, keeping it as near to original condition as possible.

Some of the many projects completed with the help of the Friends include:

  • Refinishing and painting the doors and shutters on the house.
  • Landscaping the courtyards and patios.
  • Sanding and refinishing a bench hand carved by Lucile Kannally.
  • Erecting a large metal shed to safely store ranch artifacts.
  • Restoring the ranch windmill.
  • Repairing damaged plaster.
  • Refinishing a carved combination bench/table.
  • Installing brick paving in the front plaza.
  • Furnishing draperies for the living room.
  • Providing volunteer gardeners for the grounds.
  • Painting the ranch house perimeter wall.
  • Sanding and refinishing floors on the office level.

To volunteer your time or make a contribution toward these and other ongoing projects, please see our How to Help page.