The 160 acre homestead was bought from Tucsonan Edward Nye Fish by Walter Vail and Herbert Hislop in 1876. The Vail family owned it from that date til 1928. Silver was discovered on the land and money from that allowed for the purchase of an additional one million acres.
The Boice family bought it next and raised their Hereford cattle on the ranch. During this time many Hollywood stars came to visit as the ranch was the scene of several movies, notably RED RIVER starring John Wayne.
The lands of the ranch are under the stewardship of BLM and while this is still a working cattle ranch, it is protected from development as the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. The historic buildings are currently being restored and saved by the Empire Ranch Foundation of Sonoita which welcomes donations and volunteer time.
The Ranch House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.