10700 E Tanque Verde Road from 1948 to Solana Spanish Villas
Nestled in Tucson’s Tanque Verde Valley, the property at 10700 E Tanque Verde Road has been a quiet witness to the golden age of dude ranches and the evolution of Arizona vacation culture. From its mid-20th-century origins as a working guest ranch and flower farm, to its recent revival as Solana Spanish Villas in 2023, this 5.7-acre estate encapsulates Southern Arizona’s unique blend of Western heritage and warm hospitality. In the shadow of the Tanque Verde Creek and just down the road from the famous Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, the property’s history offers a microcosm of Tucson’s broader guest ranch tradition – a tradition born of Old West romanticism and sustained by the region’s alluring desert climate. Today, as travelers seek out authentic Tucson vacation rentals – from Tucson VRBO homes to Tucson Airbnb casitas – this estate stands as both a modern retreat and a living tribute to the area’s dude ranch legacy.
By the early 1950s, the newly completed villas became the heart of a functioning guest ranch known as Bar J Desert Haciendas. The ranch was owned and operated by Jerry Kyllo, who developed the site into a welcoming retreat for seasonal visitors from across the United States and Canada. Under Kyllo's stewardship, Bar J offered a classic Southern Arizona guest ranch experience – cozy adobe accommodations, shared meals, desert views, and informal outdoor activities like walking trails and relaxed social gatherings.
This era coincided with the post-World War II boom in tourism, and Bar J Desert Haciendas fit perfectly into the trend of urban-adjacent guest ranches that gave visitors the feeling of the Old West within reach of the comforts of Tucson. The estate was adorned with desert landscaping and simple but elegant Southwestern architecture, characterized by white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and wooden vigas. It attracted seasonal guests who often returned year after year to escape the cold winters up north.
Kyllo's Bar J Desert Haciendas operated through the 1950s and 1960s, becoming part of the constellation of prominent Tucson guest ranches of the mid-century era. His tenure established the estate’s identity as a hospitality destination that combined privacy, charm, and a sense of Western romance.
Phil Yard's flower shop and antique store became well-known locally, and his honor system roadside flower stand – where bouquets could be purchased for $5 – was beloved by Tucsonans. Though the ranch no longer offered horseback riding or full dude ranch programming by the 1970s, it continued to host seasonal visitors, particularly snowbirds, who appreciated the quiet desert setting and personal attention provided by the Yard family.
This hybrid identity – guest ranch and working flower farm – made the property unique even among Southern Arizona’s many ranches. The Yard family preserved the adobe villas and maintained the property’s atmosphere as a quiet, green retreat surrounded by mesquites and views of the Catalina and Rincon Mountains.
This unique property has a long history of agriculture dating back to the 1930’s when the first of 5 wells were dug tapping into the shallow water table that makes the area so green and lush. The villas were constructed in the 1950’s and rented for many years as “Bar J Haciendas” on Tanque Verde. Over the past 70 years many improvements have been made. The original 1950’s Spanish colonial inspired architecture still stands today.
The site has been used as an iris and rose farm well known throughout Tucson as the “Phil Yards Iris Farm” complete with a flower shop and antique shop onsite. The property was purchased for redevelopment and improvements in 2023 by John and Danielle Jacobs. The newly renovated villas and grounds are pet-friendly, have room for oversized vehicle parking and are programmed for a relaxing and enjoyable family vacation stay.
The Tanque Verde Valley has a long history of Native American presence, with various indigenous groups, including the Hohokam and later the Tohono O’odham and Apache, inhabiting the region. These Native American communities relied on the valley’s natural resources for sustenance and established a connection with the land.
In the late 17th century, Spanish explorers and missionaries ventured into the region, including the Tanque Verde Valley, as part of their efforts to expand their territorial claims. The Spanish influence is evident in place names and the cultural heritage of the area.
During the Mexican period (1821–1848), the Mexican government issued land grants in the Tucson area, including parts of the Tanque Verde Valley. The land grants were intended to encourage settlement and agriculture.
With the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, the Tucson region became part of the United States. American pioneers and homesteaders began to settle in the Tanque Verde Valley in the late 19th century. The availability of water from the Tanque Verde Creek made the valley attractive for agriculture and ranching.
Ranching and agriculture became key economic activities in the Tanque Verde Valley. Cattle ranching, in particular, played a significant role, and the area’s climate and soil were conducive to growing crops.
In the 20th century, Tanque Verde Valley witnessed increased development, and its proximity to the Rincon Mountains and Saguaro National Park attracted tourists seeking outdoor recreation. Guest ranches and resorts, such as the historic Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, became popular destinations for visitors.
As Tucson expanded, the Tanque Verde Valley experienced suburban growth, with residential communities and amenities catering to a growing population. The area maintained its appeal for those seeking a balance between suburban living and access to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Today, Tanque Verde Valley is a vibrant part of the Tucson metropolitan area, blending a rich history with modern amenities, recreational opportunities, and a continued appreciation for the natural environment.
Book your next stay in Tucson directly with us or find our furnished short term homes for rent on AirBNB and VRBO.