University of Arizona

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are now welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. 

Special Collections will close at 12 pm on Monday, December 5th for the event Satellites: bringing an astronomy archive to the stage.

Reminiscences about Empire Ranch

1893 to 1905
AZ 021
Digital Collection
Online exhibit
Collection Guide

Harry L. Heffner, originally from Columbus, OH, moved to California in 1884. Heffner worked as a bookkeeper at the First National Bank in Los Angeles where he met Walter Vail, owner of the Vail & Gates Empire Ranch in Pima County, AZ. In 1893, Vail hired Heffner as manager of the ranch; Heffner served as manager until 1905. He was also a founder of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association and served as its first Secretary.

Charles U. Pickrell was a livestock specialist and worked as the University of Arizona’s Director of Agricultural Extension Service from 1937-58. The service was a cooperative project made to encourage agriculture and home economics in Arizona.

Included is Charles U. Pickrell’s 1960 typescript for a tape recording of Heffner’s experience as manager of the Empire Ranch. Along with a transmittal letter from Pickrell dated Sept. 2nd, 1961.

Included materials:
Manuscript
Collection Area:
Arizona & Southwest

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.