Walter Vail: Arizona and California Rancher Paperback – October 4, 2025

This is the story of Walter Vail, the twenty-one-year-old who left his home in New Jersey in 1873 with one hundred dollars in his pocket. Walter traveled to the American West in a classic tale of seeking his fame and fortune. After first trying his hand in the silver mines of Virginia City, he invested in land and water rights in Arizona Territory, and eventually he served as a representative in the Arizona Territorial Legislature. Then, as luck would have it, he found a silver lode on his ranch. His Empire Ranch in Arizona Territory covered 100,000 acres. His cattle ranch in Southern California filled 87,500 acres. Plus, he owned property in several states. One hundred and twelve years after his death, Walter was inducted into the Great Hall of Westerners in Oklahoma City as a tribute to his great achievements. In addition to creating a huge empire of landholdings, Walter and his wife Margaret nurtured their seven children, creating a warm and loving family that has extended through the generations to this present time. Read more