The historic UXU Ranch is now owned by three Arizona business partners who aim to preserve the land, structures, and experiences.
According to the Powell, Tribune, the Park County Commissioners unanimously voted to transfer the UXU Ranch’s liquor license to UXU 1929, a limited liability company that now owns and operates the historic property.
The founders of UXU 1929 are John “J.L. Grief” Hoskin of Yuma, Arizona, and Rick and Patrice Holloway of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. They will soon be taking up residence on the 34-acre property within Shoshone National Forest.
Hoskin is an award-winning Western photographer and Canadian native. He will be operating the ranch during its busy season – April to November.
Over the past decade, ownership of the ranch has changed hands several times. The previous owner was Bill Perry of Hidden Creek Outfitters, who operated the ranch for four seasons after purchasing the property in 2017.
David Gill owned the UXU Ranch before that, managing the property for roughly six years.
Starting as a sawmill in 1898, the UXU became a working dude ranch in 1928. Most of the extant structures on the ranch were built in the 1920s and 1930s from lumber milled on the site.
The ranch was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
The last time the UXU Ranch was in the news, it was for theft. An unknown person or persons stole one of the ranch’s iconic signs along North Fork sometime in May 2020.
While the county commissioners have given their blessing, the deal isn’t done. The new lease must be approved by the U.S. Forest Service, which is expected by the end of the month.
