McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale.
An Arabian horse ranch
turned planned community.
McCormick Ranch is a planned community in central Scottsdale on the former 4,236-acre Arabian horse ranch of Anne and Fowler McCormick, sold to Kaiser-Aetna in 1970. The City of Scottsdale dates its large planned communities to the early 1970s, beginning with McCormick Ranch.
McCormick Ranch on the map
Approximate outline from OpenStreetMap. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Scottsdale's first planned community
The City of Scottsdale dates its large planned communities to the early 1970s, beginning with McCormick Ranch (Scottsdale History). The McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association (MRPOA) describes the land as the former 4,200-acre working ranch of Anne and Fowler McCormick, which grew through later additions to seven square miles (MRPOA history).
The MRPOA lists McCormick Ranch in ZIP code 85258 and states that the Indian Bend Wash runs along its southern border (MRPOA newsletter). The association's office is at 9248 N. 94th Street.
Fowler and Anne McCormick's Arabian ranch
The MRPOA history gives this account. Fowler McCormick was president of International Harvester. In April 1944 he and his wife Anne bought Merle Cheney's 160-acre R.P. Ranch, which included a 7,000-square-foot adobe home, and built the holding from there.
Anne McCormick bought her first Arabian horse, the stallion Mustafa, in 1948, and imported the stallion Naborr in 1963. The first Scottsdale Show was held at the ranch's Paradise Park in 1957 and moved to WestWorld in 1978. Single-family homes were later built on the former Paradise Park site.
Anne McCormick died on May 25, 1969, and Fowler McCormick died in 1973. The 4,236-acre ranch was sold in 1970 to Kaiser-Aetna, and the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association's Articles of Incorporation were recorded on September 21, 1972.
Railroad park, lakes and two golf courses
The MRPOA history mentions lakes, golf courses and miles of public trails. The places below are listed with their own published addresses where one is given.
- McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd.In 1967 the McCormicks donated 100 acres of the ranch to the City of Scottsdale. The park was cut from a planned 50 acres to 30 acres, and held its grand opening on October 4, 1975 (park history).
- McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 E. McCormick Pkwy.Two 18-hole courses, the Palm and the Pine. The club credits Desmond Muirhead with the Palm Course, created in 1972 (mccormickranchgolf.com).
- Lakes Angela, Nina and Margherite.Three of the ranch's lakes, named in an MRPOA newsletter, which states that they serve as detention basins. A detention basin holds stormwater and releases it slowly.
- Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.A City of Scottsdale flood control project that runs 11 miles through the city, with paths, parks and lakes and more than 24 grade-separated crossings, meaning paths pass under or over major streets (City of Scottsdale).
Central Scottsdale, near the wash paths
The MRPOA states that the Indian Bend Wash runs along the ranch's southern border. The city's greenbelt paths follow the wash for 11 miles and pass under or over major streets at more than 24 crossings.
Measured from McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 9 miles away in a straight line, and the Musical Instrument Museum in north Phoenix is about 10 miles away.
One master association, many neighborhoods
The MRPOA is the master association. Its neighborhood page lists the subdivision associations inside the ranch by name, among them Pleasant Run I and II, Spanish Oaks I and II and Village I through IV (MRPOA neighborhoods). A home can owe dues and follow rules at both levels.
The MRPOA also lists 15 shopping centers, 2 resort hotels, a medical center and a post office within the ranch (About your POA).
Master association
The MRPOA, incorporated in 1972, covers the whole ranch and its common areas.
Sub-association
A smaller association for one subdivision, with its own recorded rules. The MRPOA site lists them.
Not historic
McCormick Ranch is a planned community, not a listed historic district. Exterior changes follow association rules and city permits.
McCormick Ranch, answered
Where is McCormick Ranch?
McCormick Ranch is in central Scottsdale, in ZIP code 85258. The MRPOA states that the Indian Bend Wash runs along its southern border.
Who were the McCormicks?
Fowler McCormick was president of International Harvester. He and his wife Anne began buying the ranch land in 1944 and bred Arabian horses there.
When did McCormick Ranch become a planned community?
The 4,236-acre ranch was sold to Kaiser-Aetna in 1970, and the property owners association was incorporated in 1972. The City of Scottsdale dates its planned communities to the early 1970s, beginning with McCormick Ranch.
How big is McCormick Ranch?
The MRPOA states that the ranch grew through later additions to seven square miles.
What lakes are in McCormick Ranch?
An MRPOA newsletter names Lakes Angela, Nina and Margherite and states that they serve as detention basins.
What golf courses are in McCormick Ranch?
McCormick Ranch Golf Club at 7505 E. McCormick Pkwy. has two 18-hole courses, the Palm and the Pine.
When did McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park open?
The park held its grand opening on October 4, 1975, on land the McCormicks donated to the City of Scottsdale in 1967.
Is McCormick Ranch a historic district?
No. McCormick Ranch is a planned community with a master association, not a listed historic district.
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Sources: McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association, Community History, Neighborhood, About Your POA and Fall/Winter 2025 newsletter; McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, History; City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale History and Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt; McCormick Ranch Golf Club; coordinates for McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, the Musical Instrument Museum and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Wikipedia, used only to compute straight-line distance. All checked 28 October 2026.