Empire Ranch

Empire Ranch

Empire Ranch is a working cattle ranch in southeastern Pima County, Arizona, that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In its heyday, Empire Ranch was one of the largest in Arizona, with a range spanning over 180 square miles (470 km2), and its owner, Walter L. Vail, was an important figure in the establishment of southern Arizona's cattle industry. It is currently owned by the Bureau of Land Management with a grazing lease to a private operator.

Empire

An empire is a group of territories controlled by a monarch or a supreme central authority. Within an empire, different populations may have different sets of rights and may be governed differently. The word "empire" derives from the Roman concept of Imperium, which refers to the right to command. Empires have taken many forms throughout history.

Ranch

A ranch is an area of land, including various structures, given primarily to ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle and sheep. It is a subtype of farm. These terms are most often applied to livestock-raising operations in Mexico, the Western United States and Western Canada, though there are ranches in other areas. People who own or operate a ranch are called ranchers, cattlemen, or stockgrowers. Ranching is also a method used to raise less common livestock such as horses, elk, American bison, ostrich, emu, and alpaca.

empire

Noun

1. A political state, often a monarchy, that has achieved a much greater current size than its initial size by conquering surrounding territories, cities or nations.
2. A political unit ruled by an emperor or empress.

Adjective

1. Alternative letter-case form of Empire.

ranch

Noun

1. A large plot of land used for raising cattle, sheep or other livestock.
2. A small farm that cultivates vegetables or livestock, especially one in the Southwestern United States.

Verb

1. To operate a ranch; to engage in ranching.
2. To work on a ranch.