Ghost Ranch, for over a century, has been a magnet for individuals brimming with creativity and vitality, nestled in the high desert of northern New Mexico. Encompassing 22,000 acres in the Piedra Lumbre basin, this legendary locale held a special place in the heart of renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe, whose artistic renderings of the terrain propelled Ghost Ranch to global acclaim.
In this captivating narrative, Ghost Ranch historian Lesley Poling-Kempes delves into the rich history of this iconic retreat, building upon the foundation laid in her previous work, “Valley of Shining Stone.” From its origins as el Rancho de los Brujos, a haven for infamous outlaws, to its evolution into a cultural haven and a premier Southwest conference center, Poling-Kempes traces Ghost Ranch’s fascinating transformation.
Originally a dude ranch, Ghost Ranch metamorphosed into a mystical sanctuary where the boundary between heaven and earth seemed ethereal. Focused on the period spanning the 1920s to the 1990s, Poling-Kempes unveils the captivating stories of luminaries such as O’Keeffe, Boston Brahmin Carol Bishop Stanley, paleontologist Edwin H. Colbert, Los Alamos physicists, and Hollywood stars. Together, they forged a distinctive community that has grown into the esteemed institution Ghost Ranch is today.
Drawing from previously unavailable information since the writing of “Valley of Shining Stone,” Poling-Kempes enriches the biography of Juan de Dios Gallegos, rectifying and enhancing the account. The Ghost Ranch years under the ownership of Robert Wood Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson fame, are recounted with insights from family members. Memories from David McAlpin Jr. shed light on the Princeton circle, including the Packs, the Johnson brothers, the Rockefellers, and the McAlpins, who became summer neighbors in the high desert of New Mexico.
Following Arthur Pack’s generous gift of the ranch to the Presbyterian Church in 1955, Ghost Ranch transformed into a spiritual haven for thousands enchanted by the landscapes immortalized by O’Keeffe on canvas. Despite its evolution, Ghost Ranch has preserved its intimate essence through dedicated efforts to safeguard its land and character. Poling-Kempes weaves the remarkable tale of Ghost Ranch, inviting all visitors to embrace its status as a revered wilderness and join in preserving its future.
REVIEWS
Review
Southwest Books of the Year “Top Choice” Award 2005
“Poling-Kempes is a skillful writer, smoothly dovetailing the human stories that make up the narrative of this pristine, peaceful, and appealing place. The author flat out knows how to tell a good story.” Richard Etulain, author of Re-imagining the Modern American West
“Rare is an author who possesses equal talent for writing both fiction and nonfiction. Lesley Poling-Kempes succeeds at both. Moreover, her historical material is as pleasing to read as a gripping novel.” New Mexico Magazine
From the Author
Follow my progress on “Ladies of the Canyons” – a new book of nonfiction under contract with the University of Arizona Press – on my Facebook author page.
From the Back Cover
About the Author
