ORACLE — You don't often come across an old Arizona ranch house in Mediterranean-revival style accented with Moorish influences.
But that's what you'll see if you visit the historic Kannally Ranch House at Oracle State Park near the town of Oracle.
The 2,652-square-foot dwelling, built by the Kannally ranching family between 1929 and 1932, features architectural flourishes, colors and landscaping you might find along the Mediterranean coast of Italy.
A visit to the four-level ranch house makes a good outing on its own. But many visitors combine a house tour with bird-watching or a hike on park trails.
"The reason the ranch house was built in the Mediterranean style apparently was because one of the family members had been to Europe and liked that style," says Rick Gagnon, a ranger at the park.
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Large, finely appointed rooms, a sun-washed patio area and courtyards trimmed with local and Mediterranean-style vegetation made the home practically a palace in the heart of ranching country in the mid-1900s.
The last surviving member of the family donated the land to the Defenders of Wildlife group in 1976. The group transferred the property to the state in 1985 for a future state park, and the house later was opened for public tours.
Tours, included in the price of park admission, are given at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday visitors can get a good look at the exterior of the house and surrounding land.
Gagnon says the park's 15 miles of trails include several loop routes, such as the 1.6-mile Granite Overlook Trail Loop.
"That trail will take you to the highest point in the park, at an elevation of 4,622 feet," he says.
To get to Oracle State Park from Tucson, go north on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. Take Arizona 77 past Oracle Junction to the town of Oracle. In Oracle, follow American Avenue to a signed turnoff for Mount Lemmon and the park. Then continue to the park entrance on the left.
The park is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It's closed Christmas Day. Admission is $5 per vehicle.
Next week: Get fresh air and exercise at a South Side park.
