Providing first-rate accommodations and service is nothing new to the owners of Hidden Meadow Ranch. Tim and Casey Bolinger and Gary and Jeanne Herberger first teamed up to create the 730-acre mixed use, master-planned community called Kierland that has been nationally recognized as home of the 750-room Westin Kierland Resort and 500,000-square-foot Kierland Commons lifestyle center.

From that large-scale success story, the two couples turned their attention to this unique property they discovered in the White Mountains of northeastern Arizona. Homesteaded in 1916, the 150-acre ranch first served as a church youth camp before being transformed into a luxurious mountain destination, which is an outgrowth of the owners’ friendship, love of Arizona, and interests in horseback riding, snow skiing, and fly fishing. The couples set out to create a luxury lodging experience that complements the naturally beautiful, secluded setting. By providing the highest quality staff, facilities, and services, they have done just that.

Upon purchasing the Ranch in late 2000, the current owners hosted a dinner for descendents of the original homesteader, John Chellis Hall. During that dinner Frances Hall, daughter-in-law of that original owner, told the history of the Ranch:

The Halls were originally from Utah and migrated to Eagar, Arizona – the watershed of the Little Colorado River. Pop Hall homesteaded the ranch in 1916, and President Harding signed the Homestead Agreement. Pop built a cabin and corral and used hewn logs to create an aqueduct to bring water down to the cabin from Patterson Spring.

Pop Hall drove a buckboard wagon to Greer every week for supplies. His daughters spoke of being lonely because they only went to town on the 4th of July. The three eldest daughters milked 15 cows every morning and night, while Pop ran nearly 300 head of cattle on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. He was highly respected by the tribe because of his fair dealings. The family also grew potatoes and barley on the ranch property.

In 1946, Pop Hall’s son bought the ranch for $7,500 after returning home from the armed services. Pipe replaced the hewn logs channeling water from Patterson Spring to the ranch pond.

The Andersen family of Mesa, Arizona, acquired the ranch from the Halls in 1984. For the next 10 years, it was used for family outings while they stayed at their cabin in Greer. Between 1993 and 1995, the Andersens built the central Ranch House, the Outfitter Barn and the original 14 cabins. They ran the property as a youth camp and small guest ranch, with Bob Kerr as manager, along with wife Ana, and daughters Zella and Mia, living on property in what is now the Welcome Cabin from mid-1998 to mid-2001.

In December 2000, when the present owners acquired the beautiful property, Bob Kerr joined the new team as Ranch Manager. The Andersons did not entirely let go of the property, though. The family retained ownership of what has become Charter Lot #32 in The Club at Hidden Meadow Ranch and are building two log homes there, so the traditions and ties live on.