This photo of Rancho Manana shows how it appeared at the time of its operation as a guest ranch from 1944-1955. In 1943 Romaine and Jean Lowdermilk partnered with Ted and China Loring to purchase the old Howard Ranch and make it into a guest ranch. At this time, dude ranches were all the rage. Both Spur Cross and Sierra Vista were enjoying success with Easterners desiring a taste of the western life. The property had been the center of the community in the early 1900's serving as a store and post office. Lowdermilk worked to clear the land, dig wells and build the buildings to be ready for the first guests in 1944. While Cave Creek's other dude ranches consisted of rustic wooden buildings, Rancho Manana resembled a Mexican hacienda, with cream colored buildings and red tile roofs. Lowdermilk was an experienced cattleman, wrangler, dude-ranch operator, hotel manager and cowboy entertainer. Rancho Manana was probably the most successful of all the dude ranches but by 1947 Lowdermilk was
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