Oracle State Park
Oracle State Park | |
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Location | Pinal, Arizona, United States |
Coordinates | 32°36′28″N 110°43′59″W / 32.60778°N 110.73306°W |
Area | 3,948 acres (15.98 km2) |
Established | 1976 |
Visitors | 7,883 (in 2022)[1] |
Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
Kannally Ranch | |
Location | Mt. Lemmon Hwy, E of Oracle |
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Nearest city | Oracle, Arizona |
Coordinates | 32°36′35″N 110°44′1″W / 32.60972°N 110.73361°W |
Area | Less than one acre |
Built | 1929 |
Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 96000307 |
Added to NRHP | March 28, 1996 |
Oracle State Park is a
History
Starting in 1902, the area that is now the park was owned and operated as a cattle ranch by Neal Kannally and his family. At its largest, the ranch encompassed 50,000 acres, most of which was eventually sold off to mining companies. The remaining property was occupied until Neal's last remaining sibling, Lucile, bequeathed it to the Defenders of Wildlife organization in 1976,[5] and ten years later, the land was donated to the state of Arizona to create a wildlife refuge.[4]
In 2014, the
Flora and fauna
Plants
The most common plants in Oracle State Park are
Wildlife
Bird species include
Kannally Ranch House
The Kannally Ranch House is a historic house museum with original art and historic photos. The four-level adobe home was constructed between 1929 and 1933, features Mediterranean and Moorish architectural influences and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ranch house is open for self guided tours during park hours.
Center for Environmental Education
The purpose of the park is to "protect the designated wildlife refuge and act as an environmental learning center."[2] Before closure the park offered natural history and environmental education programs for school and adult groups, including trail walks, workshops, presentations and special events.
References
- ^ "Monthly State Parks Visitation Report" (PDF). Arizona Office of Tourism. December 2022.
- ^ a b Arizona State Parks. "Oracle State Park".
- ^ "Oracle State Park could open part-time in February 2012". The Explorer. Tucson, Ariz. October 5, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-89886-559-X.
- ^ Kreutz, Doug (August 13, 2006). "Kannally House at Oracle park a Mediterranean oasis". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona.
- ^ "Arizona’s Oracle State Park Named World’s Twentieth International Dark Sky Park"